The NEURUS Exchange Fellows + ICURD program is a semester-length exchange program principally designed for graduate students, although advanced honors undergraduates have also benefitted. It is structured to facilitate interaction within annual cohorts of participating students. University of Illinois Fellows are obligated to complete six academic requirements.
Participation in the the NEURUS Exchange Fellows program requires students to complete the following elements:
1. An applied research project: The NEURUS Exchange Fellows program is not a conventional semester abroad exchange program, typically dominated by coursework at a host institution. Instead, participants are expected to spend the majority of their time at their host institution conducting research on a topic of their choice. Completed papers are posted online on the international NEURUS website. More information on the research projects can be found here.
2. A staggered continental exchange: Students from U.S. universities typically complete this exchange during their fall semester, whereas European students study in the U.S. over the following spring.
3. Two continental seminars: The staggered exchange provides an opportunity for all NEURUS Exchange Fellows in a given academic year to meet for a 2.5 day seminar each semester, together with advising NEURUS faculty, to discuss projects and solicit feedback. Beginning in 2010/11, the Fall continental seminar is held in Europe, usually in late September or early October. The Spring continental seminar is held in a U.S. university, usually in early to mid-March on a rotating basis.
4. Preparatory distance learning courses: NEURUS Exchange Fellows have the opportunity to take an online distance learning course to familiarize themselves with approaches to urban and regional issues, institutions, and scholarship on the continent of their host university. The course involves a thorough literature review and the completion of three synthesis papers. Distance learning courses are normally completed in the semester prior to the host institution visit. For U.S. students the distance learning course is completed in the Summer prior to their departure to Europe. Completed papers must be emailed to the coordinator at your host university prior to or just after arriving in your host country.
The following International Certificate in Urban and Regional Development Program (ICURD)requirements must also be fulfilled by all UIUC NEURUS Exchange Fellows:
5. Stronger emphasis on foreign language instruction for U.S. students, with those destined for Berlin or Vienna studying German in the semester prior to departure and then at the host campus after arrival (in Berlin, via a two-hour per week course and in Vienna through an initial one-month intensive course and subsequently through an extensive course during the semester; those destined to Groningen study Dutch initially in a three-week intensive course in August and then extensive courses during the semester at various levels, beginning in September. Refer to the student experiences page for host-specific information on the most convenient and reasonably priced language classes.
6. Participation in two ICURD research methods workshops: One in Europe on research design and methods in the fall and one in the United States on interpretation and application of comparative research in applied planning and policy contexts. The workshops are scheduled either immediately preceding or following the NEURUS Continental Seminars and typically run for 2-4 days. The partner hosting the NEURUS Continental Seminar is primarily responsible for delivering the ICURD workshop, with assistance from other partner faculty as needed.
Participation in the the NEURUS Exchange Fellows program requires students to complete the following elements:
1. An applied research project: The NEURUS Exchange Fellows program is not a conventional semester abroad exchange program, typically dominated by coursework at a host institution. Instead, participants are expected to spend the majority of their time at their host institution conducting research on a topic of their choice. Completed papers are posted online on the international NEURUS website. More information on the research projects can be found here.
2. A staggered continental exchange: Students from U.S. universities typically complete this exchange during their fall semester, whereas European students study in the U.S. over the following spring.
3. Two continental seminars: The staggered exchange provides an opportunity for all NEURUS Exchange Fellows in a given academic year to meet for a 2.5 day seminar each semester, together with advising NEURUS faculty, to discuss projects and solicit feedback. Beginning in 2010/11, the Fall continental seminar is held in Europe, usually in late September or early October. The Spring continental seminar is held in a U.S. university, usually in early to mid-March on a rotating basis.
4. Preparatory distance learning courses: NEURUS Exchange Fellows have the opportunity to take an online distance learning course to familiarize themselves with approaches to urban and regional issues, institutions, and scholarship on the continent of their host university. The course involves a thorough literature review and the completion of three synthesis papers. Distance learning courses are normally completed in the semester prior to the host institution visit. For U.S. students the distance learning course is completed in the Summer prior to their departure to Europe. Completed papers must be emailed to the coordinator at your host university prior to or just after arriving in your host country.
The following International Certificate in Urban and Regional Development Program (ICURD)requirements must also be fulfilled by all UIUC NEURUS Exchange Fellows:
5. Stronger emphasis on foreign language instruction for U.S. students, with those destined for Berlin or Vienna studying German in the semester prior to departure and then at the host campus after arrival (in Berlin, via a two-hour per week course and in Vienna through an initial one-month intensive course and subsequently through an extensive course during the semester; those destined to Groningen study Dutch initially in a three-week intensive course in August and then extensive courses during the semester at various levels, beginning in September. Refer to the student experiences page for host-specific information on the most convenient and reasonably priced language classes.
6. Participation in two ICURD research methods workshops: One in Europe on research design and methods in the fall and one in the United States on interpretation and application of comparative research in applied planning and policy contexts. The workshops are scheduled either immediately preceding or following the NEURUS Continental Seminars and typically run for 2-4 days. The partner hosting the NEURUS Continental Seminar is primarily responsible for delivering the ICURD workshop, with assistance from other partner faculty as needed.