University of Rochester 

About:  Founded in 1850 - the University of Rochester is one of the country's top-tier research universities. Rochester enrolls approximately 6,800 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students. Its 158 buildings house over 200 academic majors. Additionally, the university is the largest employer in the Greater Rochester area and the 2nd largest employer in New York.  

Contacts at Rochester:

Rohan Palma, Exchange Program Coordinator - exchangeprograms@rochester.edu

Center for Study Abroad and Interdepartmental Programs, Dewey 2-147, PO Box 270376, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14627-0376, USA 

Highlights:  The University ranks 58th in the US according to THE figures, and 173 in the world. Data from the National Science Foundation state that Rochester spent $370 million on research and development in 2018, ranking it 68th in the nation.

Location: Rochester is located in the state of New York, not too far from the Canadian border with Toronto. Niagara Falls is less than  100 miles away. Lakes Ontario and Erie are also in easy travelling distance.

Courses / Modules: 

• Information on the courses available at Rochester can be found in the course catalogue

• There is a compulsory module for all international students - US life: Customs and Practices

• Students should consult with their departments/international coordinator regarding module selection.

Credit (Full-time Load per semester): 

 16 Rochester credits = 60 York credits 

This has been calculated by the University of York and students should not compare it with the requirements of other universities.  Taking insufficient credits can lead to students failing the year. Any alteration to credits/modules must be discussed with your department prior to making any changes.

Teaching Periods:

Fall Term - Late August to Mid December

Spring Term - Mid January to Early May

Language:

• Classes at Rochester are taught in English.

• You may be required to provide evidence of your English language ability if English is not your first language. 

Accommodation: 

Most Rochester students live on-campus - however a place cannot be guaranteed. More information is available regarding the residence halls. There is also information on off campus housing

Students can also email the coordinator for off campus living: offcampus@reslife.richester.edu 

Support Services: 

• Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning: Offers study groups and tutoring, and assists students with disabilities, learning difficulties and those in need of special services

• University Counseling Center: Helps students' with mental health needs, including individual and group therapy

• International Services Office: Assists international students with visas, adjusting to life in campus, and other issues

• Student Health Insurance: Information about health insurance requirements, health insurance waiver, and the mandatory health fee.

Visas: 

Information from Rochester International Services Office.

Medical Aid: 

University of Rochester, University Health Service.

Travel insurance: 

If you are approved by the University of York to participate in this program, you will be covered by the University's Travel Insurance Policy. This is a complimentary policy to cover you for the duration of your University of York mobility experience. Please refer to the Insurance website for all travel insurance queries.  You may be required to obtain health insurance valid during your exchange. 

Susie, Sociology, Year Abroad 2019/20

I loved my year abroad. The fact that I had the chance to live not just in a different country but on a whole different continent for a year. Going to an American University sometimes felt like I was in a movie because roommates, Greek life, and 'football' games are real.  

I wouldn't say I really had to overcome any difficulties. Of course there were some nerves when I first arrived and worries that it would be hard to make friends and I wouldn't be able to keep up academically. But I soon met people, got used to the way classes ran and having a roommate. 

One of the best parts was of course the people I met. It was a small university so the group of exchange students was small, there were only 10 of us which allowed us to be close. The day we all went to Niagara Falls was one of my favourite moments of the whole experience.  I then met other people through lectures, sports and orientation. 

Something to know about Rochester is that it is freezing I spent the majority of my year abroad wading through snow and skating on ice rain. However, I also loved this because it meant you could just throw snow at your friends as you were walking to dinner or back from class. 

There is so much to gain from living abroad for a year. It allowed me to take classes outside of sociology to explore my other interests.The travelling was one of the best perks. I got to explore Toronto under the autumn leaves, saw New York City at Christmas, even went ice skating in Central Park and enjoyed the South Carolina beaches for spring break. One thing I was hoping to gain from this experience was to improve my self-confidence. Moving abroad by myself, making new friends, travelling and everything that comes with spending a year abroad definitely helped me achieving this.  

My year abroad, like for many others, was cut short due to Corona. Having to get back home was slightly stressful, leaving early was sad and online school with the time difference was a bit of a struggle. However, I am very grateful for the time I got. It is truly a year I will never forget and an experience I would recommend to all.   

Katie, Philosophy, Politics and Economics, Year Abroad 2019/20

Being a part of the international student community at Rochester has meant I have met and made friends with people from all over the world. I met some amazing people, and being so far away from home, these friends become your only ‘support system’ meaning you become extremely close very quickly. Therefore, these friendships, I hope, will be enduring. 

Furthermore, studying abroad definitely increased my confidence and independence. Of course going to university anywhere requires an increased level of independence but when studying so far away from home, it is  of higher importance. There were times that university was really difficult, I felt overwhelmed by academics, lonely and was sick of the repetitive food served in the dining halls. These times if I was studying in York, I may have caught the train home for a weekend. However, this was not an option and this meant I gained a new level of maturity and independence out of necessity. 

This also meant that I had unprecedented levels of freedom which I enjoyed. I took advantage of being in a different country and was able to take weekend trips to different cities, something I would never do in the UK before now. This is something I plan to do more of when I return to University in the UK to explore more of the country (COVID-19 permitting). 

The global pandemic interrupted the last semester of my time abroad and meant many plans were cancelled or changed. Although I certainly did not have as difficult a time as others must have, there were some unique challenges presented by this situation.Asking for help or support does not come naturally to me but it is a skill I have had to develop during my time at the University of Rochester particularly during the last half of this semester due to remote online study. This, I believe will aid me in being more proactive about seeking advise in my future studies and career. 

• University of Rochester

• Rochester International Office 

• Foreign Commonwealth Office Advice

• Numbeo - cost of living comparison site

• Expatistan - cost of living comparison site

• US Embassy FAQ's Travel and Visas

If you find any broken links, please email us at global-opportunities@york.ac.uk

Global Opportunities - Find us in Derwent College

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