Montana State University, USA
Located in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, Bozeman is truly a remarkable community. The Bozeman area has over 50,000 people with backgrounds and cultures as diverse as the Montana landscape. From cattle ranchers to high tech engineers, the area is home to a breed of people who have come to appreciate an unmatched quality of life. While retaining a small town feel, Bozeman prides itself on offering community activities and programmes typically available only in larger, metropolitan areas.
Combine the wide array of resources with an abundance of outdoor recreational opportunities and it's easy to understand why Bozeman ranks as one of America’s most liveable cities. Popular outdoor activities in Montana include skiing, hiking and fishing, and Yellowstone National Park is just a short drive away from Bozeman. The university itself hosts a number of clubs and events for students to get involved in campus life.
Similar to Massey University, Montana State University’s early beginnings were in agriculture. Founded in 1893, today Montana State University Bozeman has a national and international reputation for its excellence in undergraduate and graduate education, particularly in Engineering and the Sciences. MSU has a student population of over 14,000 students, including approximately 700 international students.
Exchange Student Travel Grant
New Zealand citizens and permanent residents who apply to go on exchange to Montana State are automatically considered for a Massey University Exchange Student Travel Grant. No additional paperwork needs to be submitted.
Credit system
Students should take 15 semester credits. This should equate to 60 Massey credits.
Course codes
Courses numbered 200-299 at Montana State equate to 100-level at Massey. 300-399 courses equate to 200-level courses at Massey. 400-499 courses equate to 300-level.
Academic calendar
The Autumn semester runs from August to December; the Spring semester runs from January to May.
Popular academic areas
Liberal arts and sciences, agriculture, architecture, education, engineering, health and human development, and nursing. Note: Media, Theatre, Film and Photography courses are usually not available to exchange students at MSU. There are also a range of activity and sports-related courses if you are interested in picking up some new skills.
Health insurance
Adequate health insurance is required by law for all exchange students going to the USA. Travel insurance alone will not provide the appropriate coverage. Health insurance plans in the USA are typically more expensive than plans in New Zealand.
Be sure you check the university’s insurance requirements and enrol in the appropriate plan.
Visas
You will need to have a J-1 exchange visitor visa to enter the U.S. You cannot study full-time at the university on either a B-2 tourist visa or the visa waiver program.