Internationales Studium

Exchange Program at the Kettering University (Flint, MI)

Undergraduate students of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering (Bachelors programs) at the Hochschule Konstanz are invited to apply for a three month exchange program (one academic term) to Kettering University in Flint, Michigan USA.The exchange lasts for three months plus one week before the start of the term. HTWG students may apply for either the Spring Term, beginning in April, or the Fall Term, beginning in October. HTWG students also have the option to complete a three month work term (internship) after the completion of a study term.
Students must enroll in at least 12 credits (for example, 3 courses x 4 credits per course) while at Kettering University. Students must maintain full time status while at Kettering University (meaning, take at least 12 credits). When choosing courses, please make sure that you do not choose KUO courses (Kettering University Online Courses). Konstanz students are not allowed to attend KUO courses.

Course organization is much different than in Germany. In the United States, course grades are determined by multiple exams, quizzes, homework, and attendance. That means that students need to be sure to attend class and to keep up with course work. Otherwise, credit cannot be granted for that course.
Students wishing to extend their stay in the US by completing a work term are advised to already have a contact at a company in the USA, as Kettering can only offer a limited number of internship positions.
Interested students should first meet with Prof. Eicher in the Mechanical Engineering department for general advising on the program. Students must apply at least six months in advance of their intended study period. Please note the deadlines below.

Financial support through BaföG (minimum 12 weeks in the classroom) is only available to those HTWG students participating in the "Written & oral communications (Com 435)" course. This course begins one week before all other courses.

Kettering University is ranked first in the College Gazette's list of the 10 best automotive engineering schools in the U.S in 2021!

Application Process

To initiate the application process, students must turn in a completed application to Prof. Dr. Eicher to get a guest course approval for the courses they wish to take in Kettering. Students should come prepared with a list of desired courses, as well as choose a few extra courses in case some courses are unavailable at Kettering. Applications confirmed by Prof. Eicher have to be uploaded in the Mobility Online application portal of HTWG's International Office (Akademisches Auslandsamt) (see below required documents for Kettering Application) . Nominations will be forwarded to Kettering University for approval. Upon acceptance, the Kettering International Office will assist students in obtaining a J-1 visa. Accepted students will receive the DS-2019 Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor (J-1) Status. This form is required to obtain your visa at the U.S Embassy and needed at the port of entry to the U.S. For more information, please visit the US consulate website and refer to the following document.

Required Documents for Kettering Application

The following information was adapted from the Kettering website. For further information, please click here

• Application Form for Exchange Students (to be completed electronically!): On the application, students must list courses they are interested in taking at Kettering. Students must also be careful to check that they meet the prerequisites for their chosen courses.
• Course Registration Form: Students must plan of what courses they want to study while abroad at Kettering.
• Letter of Interest: One-page, written in English. The letter should state planned course of study and reason for wishing to study at Kettering and in the United States in general.
• Acadamic Transcripts:  A description of courses taken in Konstanz and the grades received. HTWG students should hand in their recent transcript ("Notenkontoauszug" - English version!) including the grades of the current semester as well as information on their courses to be taken in the following semester here in Konstanz.
• Student Housing Request Form
• Resume/CV: In English
• Copy of HTWG Learning Agreement
• Proof of Financial Support Documentation:an official bank statement in English certifying that the student will have at least $1000 per month while at KU ($3000 per Semester)
  Ex: XY Bank hereby certifies that Hans Mustermann has US$3000 in personal funds available for his period of study at Kettering University.
• Copy of passport: EU Reisepass. Immigration in the US requires a valid, computer scanable passport
• Enrollment Certificate (§9 BAföG)

After your nomination/admission at Kettering University, please provide:

• Kettering Medical History Form:  Download MED FORM
  Form must be filled out completely and signed. Information on Immunizations and TB screenings must be approved by the (family) physician..
• Proof of Medical Insurance: a written statement from an insurance company confirming medical coverage including evacuation and repatriation coverage. The letter must be in English. Students may submit this proof of insurance once they are admitted to Kettering. If desired, students can purchase additional medical insurance through Kettering University.

The Partner University

Kettering University is located in Flint, Michigan, population 140,000. Flint is an industrial city, and is in close driving distance to the northern Detroit suburbs, where the American auto industry is centered. Once a booming automotive city itself, the city of Flint has fallen on hard times since the local GM production plant closed in 1989, putting 40,000 people out of work.
Kettering University, formally known as the General Motors Institute, offers technical Bachelors and some Masters programs. Kettering University operates on four 3-month terms per year. Since Konstanz and Kettering semesters are not congruent, HTWG students may apply for the Spring and Fall Terms.
Kettering's 70,000 square foot Recreation Center, located just west of the Residence Hall, has a full complement of aerobic, strength and sport amenities, in addition to student and alumni lounges, making it the likely focus of many students' and alumnus social and recreational activities. It houses a six-lane swimming pool, four multi-purpose regulation basketball courts, four racquetball courts, batting cage and a 1/8 mile suspended indoor track. Other areas include an aerobics/dance room, a free-weight room and a fitness /exercise room that overlook the pool and gymnasium.

Housing for exchange students will be arranged by the International Office in Kettering. In case you have been accepted by Kettering University please fill in the given application form which includes a housing application form and a health certificate.

Breakfast, lunch, dinner are served daily in the Campus Center Building. Meal Plans can be purchased or à la carte is available. 

There are several large shopping centers in and near Flint including: Courtland Center & Court St. - East side of Flint
Factory Outlet Birch Run - North of Flint - Off I-75
Genesee Valley Miller & Linden Rd. - West side of Flint
Great Lakes Crossing Auburn Hills - South of Flint - Off I-75
Somerset Troy - Big Beaver Exit - South of Flint Off I-75

Local buses service the city area and some suburbs. The timetable is not always reliable. A copy of the route map and timetable may be obtained free from any bus driver.

The cost of living for students can be somewhat higher in the United States than in Germany. Students should budget a total of $850 to $1300 for housing expenses for a three month term in Kettering. Students are also required to pay an Activity Fee of approximately $70 as well as a Technology Fee of $100.00. All courses require students to purchase books. The professor gives students a list of required books. The cost of books is rather expensive. Often, professors will also require a coursepack, which is a packet of articles or worksheets assembled by the professor. Coursepacks can cost anywhere from $5 to $50, depending on copyright costs. Costs for books can total up to $300 per semester.

Alcohol

You will find that alcohol policies are strictly enforced in the United States. The official drinking age in all 50 states is 21. If you wish to purchase alcoholic beverages, you need to be sure to have some form of ID with a photo and date of birth. Most Americans use their driver’s license as official ID. Kettering law requires that store clerks check the ID of all customers wishing to purchase alcohol who appear to be under the age of 27. You may even notice older people being “carded” (asked to show ID). Stores that are caught selling alcohol to minors are severely punished, and therefore most stores are careful to check ID. The rule is simple: No ID, no alcohol.

Alcohol is not to be consumed in public places (ex. public parks, on the street)! Public intoxication is not tolerated, and can have serious consequences. You may consume alcohol at home or in bars in restaurants.

Further Information

Kettering University homepage

Office of International Programs includes more detailed information regarding orientation, campus safety, activities and transportation possibilities

Undergraduate Academic Programs

Travelling Information from the German Federal Foreign Office