NETHERLANDS - ISEP Radboud University Nijmegen

To be eligible to participate in this program, students must meet the following requirements:

• Good academic and judicial standing during time of application AND time of participation in program
• Undergraduates must have completed at least two semesters of study at Lake Forest College AND have junior status or higher before participation. 
• At least 18 years of age by the program’s departure date. 
• Be able to stay at the host program for the duration of the semester, including through the exam and travel periods
• Minimum GPA of 2.75.  
• Language Requirement: Dutch language proficiency is usually needed for regular course enrollment in Dutch taught programs. Some courses in various faculties are taught in English.
• The student must submit ISEP language proficiency report in the application, even if native speaker.

Students applying to ISEP must apply for an Exchange option (in any country) as a first choice but may apply to a Direct option as a back-up. Direct options may have an additional cost (see a financial section for more information).

Nijmegen was settled by the Romans as a strategic point on the river Waal, it was a fortified town until the end of the 19th century and a front-line city during World War II. The lively city center now boasts many cultural facilities, monuments, shops, cafes and restaurants, and popular festivals throughout the year.

To learn more about the visa process for this country, please visit the ISEP Country Handbook for the Netherlands. 

The Radboud University Nijmegen is the only full-scale university in the eastern and southern parts of the Netherlands. It was established in 1923, and today is one of the Netherlands’ leading academic communities. It enrolls more than 17,750 students. The international dimension of education and research plays an essential part at the university; students are encouraged to spend part of their studies or their practical training period abroad. University facilities include museums, laboratories, various institutes, the university hospital, and computer and sports centers. 

Some departments do not offer courses in English, but they do offer possibilities for tutorials or individual (research) projects. All course descriptions can be found on the International Office’s Website. Those fluent in Dutch may enroll in all courses except medicine and dentistry.

Students typically enroll in 4-5 classes per term which average to 12-18 hours in class per week. A term runs for 15-20 weeks.  

The standard workload for a full-time student is 60 credits points per academic year (1,680 hours of study), or 30 credit points per semester (840 hours of study). Workload includes not only class time, but also individual study expressed in the ECTS in which one credit point equals 28 hours of full-time study. 

To Earn 4 Lake Forest credits, students must take 24 ECTS.

To Earn 3 Lake Forest credits, students must take 18 ECTS.

The number of credits listed here is estimated, and GEO will work with you, your advisor, and the registrar to ensure you are earning enough credits to keep you on track for graduation.

COURSES TAUGHT IN ENGLISH

Radboud University Nijmegen does not offer Bachelor’s programs completely taught in English. On the other hand, the university offers a full range of more than 250 courses in English for exchange students at all faculties. For more information please see: ECTS

The Radboud Minors are thematically clustered courses, in English, in fields like law, social science, and science.  

Outside of the minors, many faculties have a course prospectus for offerings in English for incoming exchange students:

Faculty of Arts

Faculty of Philosophy, Theology and Religious Studies

Faculty of Social Sciences (includes neuroscience)

Nijmegen School of Management

Faculty of Science

Language Courses Intensive Dutch language courses are offered in addition to regular courses during the academic year or semester for an additional fee for all levels. 

Radboud University Nijmegen offers courses in Social Dutch at different levels. These courses are intended mainly for students and staff wishing to improve their possibilities for communications and socializing in Dutch Society. For more information, click here. 

Academic Environment and Teaching Style
Please understand that the college/university life differs around the world. You are likely to be in larger classes than that of Lake Forest.  Professors are often more formal, and not on a first-name basis with students.  Take a cue from fellow students, as well as information at the international student orientation, to succeed in the classroom.

Coursework
During the semester, students are expected to participate actively in any course they take. This means preparing for lectures and seminars, doing the necessary homework and carrying out the appropriate assignments. The Dutch style of higher education entrusts students with a high degree of individual responsibility, encouraging them to develop an independent and critical way of thinking.

Assessment
Courses may be assessed by means of papers, or written or oral exams. An oral exam usually lasts 30 minutes to 1 hour. Written exams normally last 2 to 3 hours. During a written exam, students have to answer open, multiple choice, and/or essay type questions.

Grading system
Passing grades range from 6 (pass) to 10 (outstanding). The grade 10 is not usually given, so in practice, the grading scale runs from 1 through 9. The grading practices tend to be a bit more difficult than other places, with a grade of six considered a satisfactory mark. Eights and nines are generally considered outstanding.

Please review the ISEP country handbook for more information on the education system, grades, class hours, and classroom etiquette.

The Radboud University Nijmegen is the only full-scale university in the eastern and southern parts of the Netherlands. It was established in 1923, and today is one of the Netherlands’ leading academic communities. It enrolls more than 17,750 students. The international dimension of education and research plays an essential part at the university; students are encouraged to spend part of their studies or their practical training period abroad. University facilities include museums, laboratories, various institutes, the university hospital, and computer and sports centers. 

The Netherlands is a small, densely populated country and ISEP member institutions are located in urban areas. Given such a cosmopolitan environment, university life can differ significantly from the campus-style environment of U.S. institutions.

Dutch universities are fully integrated into the city of which they are a part. Students generally rent apartments and commute to classroom buildings by bike, bus or train. Students are responsible for paying rent, including a housing deposit, and cooking their own meals. You will need to seek out a social life since activities are not centered around the campus.

ORIENTATION

Orientation is provided by the International Office. The orientation period is very important to newly arriving students. It is a great way to meet other students, get to know the campus and city, enlist in courses and join very popular sports classes, etc. Dutch students will help with practical matters such as buying a second-hand bike, opening a bank account, finding the best places to go out and finding the cheapest shops.

ARRIVAL DETAILS 

The host will provide arrival directions with acceptance packet.

STUDENT ACTIVITIES

At the beginning of each semester, there is an orientation especially for our new international students which is organized by the International Office. Depending on the semester, this Orientation includes fun activities such as tours of the university and the city, sporting events, parties, an excursion to Amsterdam, etc. For detailed program information before your arrival, please check our website.

The International Office regularly organizes excursions for international students, guests, and employees of Radboud University Nijmegen. Examples of excursions are Amsterdam, The Hague/Scheveningen, Rotterdam/Kinderdijk, Maastricht/Aachen (Germany), Delft / Storm Surge Barrier, Brussels and Leiden/Keukenhof. Radboud University likes to think of its foreign students and guests as ambassadors and sets great store by maintaining its ties with international students after their departure. There is now a unique International Alumni Network for Radboud University’s former exchange students, those who came from abroad for a Bachelor”s and/or Master’s program as well as Ph.D. candidates. More information.

Students are housed in student residences with single-occupancy rooms and shared bath and kitchen facilities. A stipend which covers a large part of costs for housing and meals is provided.

For all approved programs for guaranteed financial aid transferability, students pay their Lake Forest College tuition plus a program fee. The program fee for a semester with the ISEP Exchange to ISEP Radboud University Nijmegen includes orientation, on-site director, university fees, housing, and the equivalent of 19/meals per week.

Here is an estimated budget for the Fall 2019/Spring 2020 programs:

Tuition rates and program fees are subject to change each year, but this information was up-to-date as of February 2019. We will notify applicants, and update this page if the program fee or other estimates change.

You can discuss with Financial Aid your specific aid package and your expected family contribution.

Deposits to other programs, if required, are paid by the student to the host program, and will appear as a credit on your study abroad term bill from the College.

Keep in mind that you may spend more or less in certain areas like personal expenses, travel, meals, or airfare, depending on exchange rates and your own spending habits. Classroom or lab fees are not included in this estimate and will depend on your course registration choices.  

Don’t forget to apply for scholarships! A great listing can be found here.