Logistics of the Full-Time Exchange
How to prepare for your exchange program
Follow the steps leading up to your Full-Time Exchange Program for a seamless transition into your time abroad.
Exchanges typically take place in the fall or winter quarter of your second year, although exchanges during the spring quarter of your second year are possible.
Commitment
Student Contract: Accepting a spot on an exchange program is a commitment for you to represent Kellogg, as well as yourself. You are required to sign an agreement to this effect.
Bid Points: You will be charged 750 bid points for the quarter during which you participate in an exchange.
Withdrawing from Exchange: Although you may be excused from your exchange commitments due to emergencies, such as serious health matters, if you withdraw from your exchange commitment without Kellogg's approval you will be charged a bid point penalty for the quarter they planned to go abroad.
Classes and registration
Registration appears as "foreign study." Completed courses appear on your transcript, showing earned credit, and the name of the course, but the grade will be shown as “T” for transfer credit. Therefore, this quarter does not figure into your overall GPA.
If you are unable to attend the KPPI pre-term class due to the dates of your exchange program you will be required to take the weekend version offered on the Chicago campus for Evening & Weekend MBA students.
Enrollment requirements
2Y and MMM Students must enroll in the equivalent of three Kellogg credits and no more than the equivalent of five Kellogg credits. If you enroll in more than the equivalent of five Kellogg credits, you may be required to pay additional tuition.
MMM Students are only eligible to participate in the exchange program during the Winter quarter.
1Y Students must enroll in the equivalent of three Kellogg credits and may transfer back a maximum of 3.0 credits from exchange to count towards their MBA.
If you have questions about calculating your transfer credits, you can find a credit conversion ratio table in the Digital Materials linked below.
See more information on applying exchange credits toward your Kellogg degree.
School options
Kellogg currently offers 30 exchange partnerships. More information about these schools can be found in the Digital Materials linked below.
In addition to the participating schools, Kellogg students may petition to enroll in exchange programs at prominent foreign universities that have alliances with other leading business programs in the United States.
Kellogg does not permit exchange with other national schools because it is not consistent with the vision and the goals of the exchange program — to promote a cultural interchange of ideas and provide a greater understanding of cross-cultural trade and business practices.
For these reasons, we also respectfully request that students do not apply to schools in their countries of origin for exchange.
Preparing for your exchange
Checklist: If you have already committed to studying abroad at a partner school, please refer to the Before You Go checklist to confirm you’ve taken care of any action items that apply.
Insurance: Northwestern requires all students traveling internationally on a university-sponsored program to have GeoBlue international health insurance coverage. You will be automatically enrolled in GeoBlue Insurance to cover emergency care while abroad. You are expected to pay for your insurance coverage, and the price will vary depending on the length of your program. The current Kellogg GeoBlue student rate is $14/week.
Host School Support: Get assistance with course registration, visa application, and search for housing provided by the host school.
Additional resources
Digital Materials: You can find the most up-to-date info session slides, fact sheets and participant feedback for all of our partner schools posted here.
Program Binders: Additional resources, including hard copy brochures, course catalogs, student feedback, and other literature on Kellogg's exchange partner schools, may be checked out through the Global Experience office in Global Hub 3116.