The Conservatory Exchange Program expands opportunities for Eastman students by creating student exchanges with leading European conservatories. A semester or year abroad offers the chance to improve language skills, appreciate a different culture, find a unique educational experience, learn about national performing styles, complete important research, or seek career opportunities.
Conservatory exchange partners currently are: Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing, Beijing, China; Götesborgs Universitet in Gothenburg, Sweden; Sibelius Academy in Helsinki, Finland; Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et Danse de Paris, France; Royal Academy of Music, London, England; Royal College of Music, London, England; Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester, England; Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, Glasgow, Scotland; Staatlich Hochschule für Musik, Freiburg, Germany; Trinity College of Music, London, England; Univertität für Musik und darstellende Kunst, Vienna, Austria. Eastman is also in discussion to set up additional partnerships.
Eastman students participating in an exchange pay tuition to the Eastman School, and receive tuition-free study at a cooperating European conservatory. Undergraduate students continue to receive their full financial aid; while graduate students do not, they pay a reduced flat rate tuition. Living and travel expenses and other costs or fees are borne by the student.
Undergraduate students who are interested in a semester or year abroad are urged to plan their course schedule several years into the future in order to fit this study into their curriculum. Ideally, students will study abroad during their junior year, or during the second year of the master’s degree. Students must return to Eastman and be enrolled in primary lessons during the semester (and normally the entire year) in which the senior recital is given. Graduate students may use the exchange experience to extend their degree studies.
Application to the Conservatory Exchange Program is made through the Office of Academic Affairs (x4-1020, ESM 110). The office can provide more specific information on eligibility, course, credit, financial aid, and advising, as well as brochures for partner schools. Typically, the application deadline is the end of the fall semester. Notification of acceptance by the partner school may not be fully complete until the following summer.
Eastman students also have the option of participating in programs offered by the University of Rochester’s Study Abroad Office (www.rochester.edu/College/abroad), although these programs are not always directly relevant to a musical education.
