International Student Exchange Program

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UNIVERSITY of OKLAHOMA OKLAHOMA UNIVERSITY International Student Education Abroad of

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Exchange Program International Student Exchange Program

We are here!

You could be too!

We are here.

You should be here too!

The University of Oklahoma The University of Oklahoma is a comprehensive research institution in the heartland of the United States of America.

Our exchange and degree-seeking international students originate from 120 different countries.

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OU offers 21 colleges with classes in 163 majors and over 2,600 full-time faculty.

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Several libraries offer access to study areas, group work areas, over 300 databases for online references and over five million books.

The university is home to a diverse group of more than 31,000 local and international students.

The Center for Student Life plans a multitude of events for OU students, and helps students meet their personal and professional goals while at OU. OU offers many events and opportunities such as the Eve of Nations, a showcase of ethnic foods, cultural dances and colorful attire from around the world.

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Mailing Address: The Office of International Student Services The University of Oklahoma 729 Elm Ave., Room 144 Norman, OK 73019 USA Telephone: 405-325-3337 Fax: 405-325-0197 Campus Office Location: Farzaneh Hall, Room 144 General Office Email: iss@ou.edu Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

24-Hour Emergency Telephone: OU Police Department, +001-405-325-1911

The exchange student website is the best source of current information.

www.ou.edu/internationalexchange

This is Rhonda Ehrhardt!

Exchange Student Coordinator Rhonda Ehrhardt Telephone: 405-325-3337 Email: rme1776@ou.edu

I n order to start the process of coming to the University of Oklahoma as an exchange student, please work with your home university to apply for nomination.

The exchange student website provides all the information for your home university to use for the nomination process.

Partner institutions must nominate exchange students to the OU exchange student coordinator. The deadline is on or before March 15 for the fall semester and academic year and on or before September 15 for the spring semester and calendar year.

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Requirements for Attending the University of Oklahoma as an Exchange Student •

If coming from a home university that does NOT use English as the primary language of instruction, then an English language test is required and necessary scores are: TOEFL (paper based): 500 iBT TOEFL (Internet based): 61 IELTS: 6.0

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No English test is required if coming from a home university that uses English as the primary language of instruction.

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Students must have completed their first year at their home university in order to attend OU as an exchange student.

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Students are expected to be in good academic standing at their home institution.

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Once a student has been nominated, the exchange student coordinator will create an online application for the student. The student is then responsible for submitting the following information and documents: 1). Passport.

2). Evidence of English proficiency (TOEFL, iBT TOEFL or IELTS score).

3). University transcripts (must be translated into English) and current course enrollment.

4). Financial support documentation.

5). Housing preferences.

Academics The OU Course Catalog contains links to coursework offered by the University of Oklahoma each semester.

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Please visit the incoming student website for more information about enrollment, availability of courses and grading at the University of Oklahoma.

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Arrival, Departure Dates & Airport Transportation The University of Oklahoma will arrange transportation from Will Rogers World Airport in Oklahoma City to Norman, OK. Students and staff from OU will be there to welcome exchange students to Oklahoma.

Exchange students will check in at the housing office on the designated arrival day and will be required to bring their passport and Ds-2019.

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Housing Incoming exchange students are encouraged to live on campus to facilitate interaction with other students and to make campus activities more convenient.

The University of Oklahoma has three great housing options for exchange students: OU Traditions Square, Kraettli Apartments and the Residence Halls.

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OU’s exchange student coordinator is pleased to provide housing application assistance.

Please contact Rhonda Ehrhardt at rme1776@ou.edu for assistance with the housing application.

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Food The University of Oklahoma is home to a wonderful array of food. There are many restaurants available on campus to students.

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Couch Restaurants, also known as Couch Cafeteria or the “Caf,” is the main cafeteria on campus. The Caf is located directly beside Couch Tower, south of Walker Tower. The Caf is an all-you-care-to-eat cafeteria consisting of 14 different restaurants from all genres of food! There are also vegan and gluten-free options available.

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Crossroads is a 24-hour/seven-day-a-week restaurant located on the first floor of the Oklahoma Memorial Union.

Many options are available off campus on “Campus Corner,” including Thai, Chinese, Vietnamese, Italian, Mexican, sandwiches, pizza and much more.

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Services Immigration International Student Services is available to assist all University of Oklahoma exchange students with issues related to student visas.

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Health Care The University of Oklahoma has a fully equipped, on-campus health facility.

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Health Insurance To ensure access to quality heath care while at the University of Oklahoma, a health care policy is offered to and required for all exchange students unless you have a group insurance policy that qualifies you for a waiver. Visit https://ou.myahpcare.com/waiver online to find out more information about waivers, which you do not apply for until you are on campus.

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The Seed Sower, a sculpture on each of OU’s three campuses and the seal of the university, refers to the first OU President, David Ross Boyd. The Seed Sower now symbolizes not only the seeds of knowledge and opportunity, but also the seeds of history and tradition.

What to do at OU Besides Take Classes? life

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Student organizations are a great way to get involved at OU. There are currently over 400 active, registered student organizations that cover a multitude of interests. If you cannot find a student organization that interests you, you can even start your own!

Friends to International Students (FIS) The goal of Friends to International Students is to ensure that exchange students at the University of Oklahoma come to know the Norman community. This program attempts to enrich the life of the community by fostering mutual understanding and appreciation of people from other nations.

The FIS organization is an important addition to the College of International Studies and is focused on creating a happier life for every international student while living in Norman.

fis.ou.edu

International Advisory Committee (IAC)

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The International Advisory Committee serves as the umbrella organization for 23 international student organizations at the University of Oklahoma. In order to serve the interests of IAC member organizations, the executive committee members are not only responsible for programming major international cultural events on campus, but also serving as liaisons to assigned organizations and helping them with various projects.

International Bazaar

Student Government Association (SGA) The Student Government Association serves and advocates for the student body in order to continue improving the student experience at the University of Oklahoma.

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Campus Activities Council (CAC)

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The Campus Activities Council (CAC) continues the legacy of excellence at the University of Oklahoma. Founded in 1971, the CAC is the programming branch of OU’s Student Government Association, responsible for presenting campus-wide events and traditions for all students. Whether you are an incoming freshman, a senior who recently transferred to OU, an international student spending a semester at OU or a graduate student, the CAC is a great way to get involved during your time at OU! With a strong and central focus on leadership development, community building and teaching practical skills for the real world, the CAC is an organization with your best college experience in mind!

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Student Union The mission of the Oklahoma Memorial Union is to support the academic growth of students by enriching the university community through programs and services, building an inclusive community, and providing a clean, safe and welcoming facility for diverse campus-life experiences.

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OU Cousins OU Cousins is the University of Oklahoma’s premiere international and American friendship program. The program was created in 1996 by President David Boren and First Lady Molly Shi Boren as a way of developing understanding, friendship and unity among U.S., international and exchange students at the University of Oklahoma.

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Fitness & Recreation The University of Oklahoma offers many diverse clubs and extracurricular activities for students to participate in. Student life at OU is full of opportunities for exchange students.

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Intramural Sports The University of Oklahoma has one of the most active intramural programs in the country, serving more than 12,000 participants per year. Whether you enjoy structured leagues or informal activities, this is the place for you. Participation in intramural activities can provide individuals with an enjoyable recreational experience, help develop habits that carry over into everyday life, promote wholesome social relationships and sportsmanship, and provide an opportunity for the development of a healthy body and mind.

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Sarkey's Fitness Center The Sarkey's Fitness Center is a 150,000square-foot indoor facility designed to meet the recreational and fitness needs of the OU community. It features eight basketball/volleyball/ badminton courts, five racquetball courts, a squash court, 1/6th mile indoor track, two weight room areas and a large cardio room. In addition, there is a climbing wall, outdoor tennis courts, and intramural fields for flag football, Ultimate Frisbee, soccer and lacrosse.

Access to all of the above services can be obtained for free as an OU student just by using your OU ID card at the entrance.

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Many sports have registered student clubs that can be found at www.ou.edu/content/ far/facilities-programs. You can find a student sports club that fits your interests. Pick-up games often occur on various fields around campus and the community as well.

Sporting Events Many sporting events are free for OU students to attend, including soccer, baseball, women’s basketball, volleyball and much more, just by presenting a valid OU student ID card.

Football The OU football (American football) team has been a special part of university life since 1895! The OU Sooners have won seven national championships and 44 conference titles. Home games welcome 80,000+ people to a fun-filled day of school spirit and sporting competition in Norman.

Professional Basketball Oklahoma is home to the NBA basketball team, the Oklahoma City Thunder. During many semesters, an international student trip to attend a Thunder game is organized.

Norman The community of Norman is considered by many international students to be a great place to live. It is quiet enough to study, but vibrant enough to offer many fun festivals, numerous campus lectures, movies, sports and activities, quaint art galleries, local bands and much, much more.

Downtown Norman

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Oklahoma City The University of Oklahoma is located 25-minutes from Oklahoma City, the capital of the state of Oklahoma. Oklahoma City is home to the Oklahoma City Museum of Art with rotating exhibits from around the world and a permanent Dale Chihuly glass exhibit that draws visitors from over 30 countries each year. Oklahoma City features a rich history, fun nightlife, great shopping and dining in the various downtown districts, and plenty more to see and do.

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OKC Dodgers Baseball Ice skating!

The State of Oklahoma City Access Beyond Oklahoma City and Norman, the University of Oklahoma is located just a few hours by car from Dallas, Tulsa and Kansas City, Missouri. Visit these cities for shopping, culture, history, and exciting tourist attractions and museums.

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Outdoor Recreation Oklahoma is home to more ecoregions than any other state in the United States and a plethora of outdoor parks for hiking, camping, and outdoor recreation and exploration.

Oklahoma offers everything from beautiful lakes to kayaking to hiking, running and biking trails. (www.travelok.com/article_page/ oklahomasdiverseecoregions)

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