East Carolina University

Helpful Links:

International Programs: https://global-affairs.ecu.edu/

ECU Exchange Student Link: https://global-affairs.ecu.edu/prospective-students/incoming-exchange/

College Portrait: http://www.ecu.edu/ecu/about.php

East Carolina University (ECU) is the third largest university within the University of North Carolina System, with a total population of around 27,000 students. ECU is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).

Academics

You can view the most recent course catalog here: http://www.ecu.edu/cs-acad/registrar/catalog.cfm. Semester schedule of classes are usually available in late September for the spring term and early to mid-February for the fall term. The schedule of classes can be found here: https://onestop.ecu.edu/onestop. You do not need to login but rather click the tools tab along the top and click the course catalog link in the Academic Advising box. Ensure that popup blocker has been disabled as a new screen will open allowing you to choose the semester in which you’d like to search for classes.

All undergraduate departments are open to exchange students. Undergraduate classes are available to exchange students as long as the prerequisites are met and there is space available. A few departments will have to review and give approval for certain classes that an exchange student may request.

The following departments require additional approval for classes: Engineering (transcript review), Art (portfolio submission required), Dance (audition required), Communication (transcript review), and Music (audition required).

Students wanting to exchange in one of ECU’s graduate programs will require the respective graduate director’s approval of the exchange student(s).

College of Nursing, School of Dentistry and the Brody School of Medicine are not available to exchange students at this time.

Location

ECU is located in the small city of Greenville, only 85 miles east of the state capital Raleigh, with about 85,000 residents. The coast is about 86 miles east of Greenville, perfectly situated to get away to the beach. The Outer Banks, Virginia Beach, Atlantic Beach and Wilmington are all within a reasonable drive. It is also not far to drive or take the train to Washington D.C.

Transportation

ECU operates a bus system when classes are in session and at no additional cost (http://www.ecu.edu/transit/). These buses mainly take students around campus, to and from housing complexes on and off campus but also have routes that include the Greenville Shopping Center, Target and Walmart. ECU also offers a shuttle bus to RDU airport during academic break periods for a fee (http://www.ecu.edu/transit/bus_routes-rdu_shuttle.cfm). Students are able to rent a refurbished bicycle during the semester from Parking and Transportation Services (http://www.ecu.edu/bikes/bikeshare.html).

The Amtrak train system is located in the nearby town of Wilson (http://www.amtrak.com/home). Passengers can catch a connecter bus from Greenville to Wilson daily. The connecter bus stop is a short walk from campus.

Accommodations and Meal Plans

Exchange students are required to live on campus and purchase a meal plan. Information about housing can be found on the Campus Living website: http://www.ecu.edu/cs-studentaffairs/campusliving/; and information regarding meal plans can be found on the Dining Services website: http://www.campusdish.com/en-US/CSSE/ECU.

Student Life

ECU offers a variety of student organizations that exchange students are able to get involved with. You can search through the database here: http://eastcarolina.orgsync.com/search. The Student Rec Center is also a popular place on campus. Students enjoy working out, swimming (2 pools, 1 indoor and 1 outdoor), playing racquetball, climb on the climbing wall, and take group fitness classes like Zumba, Body Pump, Boot Camp and many more. Also a part of the Student Rec Center is Outdoor Adventure which offers trips throughout the semester, workshops to work on outdoor skills and clinics to teach students new skills like kayaking, bike repair and climbing. Information about the Student Rec Center and its programs can be found here: www.ecu.edu/crw/.

Orientation

The Office of International Affairs holds a new international student orientation each semester to welcome the new international students. The 2 day orientation happens the week before classes begin and will contain information sessions and trips to nearby shopping centers to help introduce new international students to ECU and Greenville. Many students and community members volunteer during orientation time to help pick up international students from the airport, host them in their homes if students arrive prior to when on campus housing opens for the semester and drive students around to gather needed supplies.