Useful Links

Academic
RIT Study Abroad
SUNY Oswego Study Abroad
ACMT Dubrovnik
University of Osnabrück

Dubrovnik - Croatia
Dubrovnik Wikipedia Page
Croatia Travel Information
Visit Croatia
Dubrovnik Guide
City of Dubrovnik

Osnabrück - Germany
Osnabrück Wikipedia Page
Germany Travel Information
City of Osnabrück
Osnabrück Germany - 360°

U.S. Government
Passports
Foreign Entry Requirements
Travel Warnings and Consular Information Sheets
US Consulate Office Hamburg
US Embassy Zagreb
CDC Travel Health Tips

Travel Guides
Fodor's
Internet Guide to Hosteling
Let's Go Travel
Lonely Planet
Rough Guides

Travel
Croatia Travel Agency
Student Universe
Statravel
Eurrail Passes

Currency Exchange
Universal Currency converter
Interactive Currency table

 

Travel Advice for Croatia

Students learn more about Croatia through the balance between academic studies and cultural activities, while advancing in their professional career. While immersed in Croatian culture, students can taste different foods, enjoy the breathtaking scenery, vibrant nightlife, and travel to many historic destinations throughout Croatia, and Central and Southeastern Europe.


Culture
Day-to-day life in Croatia isn't all that different from life in the United States, except for a few minor differences. For one thing, Croats are able to enjoy the luxuries of being from a coastal region. Outdoor seating and leisurely walks can be enjoyed virtually year round. "Going for coffee" is an important pastime that takes more than the standard American "drive-thru" to enjoy. Croats also enjoy a public transportation system, so owning a car isn't really necessary. Students walk or use buses to get them around town, pretty much anywhere; getting from city to city is almost always done by train. Croats do not typically eat the way Americans tend to; they put a lot of importance on everything being fresh and healthy, which means things like TV dinners and junk food are difficult to find. Stores in Croatia tend to hold short hours, which means things will close early. In general, however, you'll find that Croatia isn't as different as you might think.


Clothing
Because our program runs in the Spring, many different types of clothing will be needed. Although it is not as cold as it is here in Rochester, you will want a coat and a few sweaters to get through the month of March. After that you will likely want a Spring/Summer wardrobe to choose from for the rest of your stay. Rain gear is also important to bring along. The general dress code tends to be a little more formal/stylish than college students are used to in the US.


Computers
Bringing a laptop computer is of course the best solution, but if this is not possible, you could use the computer labs provided by ACMT. Even if you or your apartment mates don't have access to the Internet in your apartment while in Croatia, having a computer to work on programming assignments will make your life much easier. Also, if you're going to bring a computer with you, make sure you've got a plug adapter for European outlets. If your computer works on 120V and 240V power, then you'll only need a plug adapter, and if not,you'll need to get a voltage converter as well.


Documents
It's a good idea to make photocopies of your plane tickets, passport, etc. before you leave and carry them with you. While traveling, you should also be sure to give copies of these items to a friend or relative in case yours are misplaced. You may want to scan these items and burn them to a CD, but this is entirely up to you. Having copies of these items on you at all times will not only make replacement easier, but will also help to identify you, since the only universally accepted form of ID in Croatia is your passport.


Money
The official currency of Croatia is the Kuna although the Euro is also widely accepted. You can view current currency exchange rates at www.xe.com. Most stores in Croatia accept credit cards; it is important to remember that traveler's checks are not accepted in many stores, but you will be able to cash them at banks. One way to get money overseas is to have someone transfer money to your American bank account so you can withdraw it at an ATM in Croatia. This is not the only solution, but it seems to be the one which incurs the fewest fees. We recommend you notify your bank and credit card companies of expected use of your cards in Croatia so they do not put a hold on your account.


Banks
You probably won't need to open a bank account while you're in Croatia. ATM's are plentiful and you should have no trouble accessing your funds.


Phone Service
Cell phones can be purchased for a flat fee, with talk and SMS time being purchased on calling cards in variable increments. It is our recommendation that students purchase cell phones while in Croatia, as this has proven to be more economical than converting phones purchased and used here in the US.


Limits on Visitation
Because you will be in Croatia on a tourist Visa, your stay cannot exceed 90 days. If you leave Croatia to travel, be sure to let your student mentor know so that he/she can arrange for proper calculation on your Visa. The days that you travel outside of Croatia do not count toward your 90 day limit.


Accommodations While Traveling
Youth hostels are one of the most economical places to stay. They can be researched and booked from any number of sites on the Internet. Some hostels are much nicer and more accessible than others, so research carefully.


Destinations in Europe
The possibilities are very open here. You can find student-priced airline tickets for much less than you'd pay elsewhere. You can get tickets from the Dubrovnik airport round-trip to many locations for 70 - 100 euro, sometimes even less. Ferries to Bari, Italy are also available during the Spring/Summer months. If you're staying in Croatia once classes conclude, travel to one of these places is definitely worth it.

The MS program in computer science consists of a core curriculum, a diverse set of clusters, and many additional electives. The core provides students with a solid background in the theoretical principles underlying computer science, which ensures that graduates acquire the intellectual tools necessary to keep up-to-date in this rapidly evolving discipline. The clusters provide students with the opportunity to obtain depth in a computer science discipline. The electives add the necessary breadth of knowledge required by industry. This combination prepares our graduates to engineer modern computing systems, and contribute in all aspects of systems life cycles.

Clusters are offered in a variety of areas, including computational vision and acoustics, computer graphics and visualization, data management, distributed systems, intelligent systems, programming languages and tools, security, and theory. Certain pre-approved courses from other departments also may be counted toward the degree.

The program helps students prepare for academic and research careers in computer science or a related discipline. The program is designed for students who have an undergraduate major or minor in computer science as well as those who have a strong background in a field in which computers are applied.

Faculty members in the department are actively engaged in research in artificial intelligence, wireless networks, pattern recognition, computer vision, visualization, data management, combinatorics, and distributed computing systems. There are many opportunities for graduate students to participate in these activities toward thesis or project work and independent study.

Applicants should have a baccalaureate or equivalent degree from an accredited institution and a minimum grade point average of 3.0 (B). RIT undergraduate students in computer science, computational math, biomedical computing, or computer engineering technology may study for both their BS and MS degrees through accelerated programs. Applicants from foreign universities must submit the Test of English as a Foreign Language (a score of at least 213) and Graduate Record Exam scores. GRE scores also can be considered for applicants whose undergraduate grade point average is lower than 3.0.

Core Courses
Theory of Algorithms
Graduate Seminar

Thesis Track
Four courses from a cluster
Four Electives
Thesis

Project Track
Four courses from a cluster
Five Electives
Project

Travel Advice for Germany

Students learn more about Germany through the balance between academic studies and cultural activities, while advancing in their professional career. While immersed in German culture, students can visit festivals, taste different foods, enjoy the nightlife, and travel to many different destinations in Germany and throughout Europe.


Culture
Day-to-day life in Germany actually is not all that different from life in the United States, but there are some difference. For example, Germans are very big on recycling and conservation in general, which isn't typical for Americans. Germany (and most of Europe) also has a terrific public transportation system, so owning a car isn't really necessary. Many people use bicycles to get around town, and those who do not own a bike will ride a bus (or streetcars in certain German cities). Getting from city to city is almost always done by train. Germans don't really eat the same way as Americans; they put a lot of importance on everything being fresh and healthy, which means things like TV dinners and junk food are pretty difficult to find. Stores in Germany tend to hold short hours, which means things will close at about 7pm during the week, at 4pm on Saturday and be closed on Sunday. In general, however, you'll find that Germany isn't as different as you might think.


Clothing
Rain gear is essential in Osnabrück, since it tends to rain consistently; aside from that, you can expect weather a lot like Rochester(with the notable exception of much less snowfall). Bring enough regular clothing for about two weeks, plus some extra warm clothing. A nice outfit or two in case may also be needed, if you attend the "University Winter Ball" or formal restaurants.


Computers
Bringing a laptop computer is of course the best solution, but if this is not possible, you could use the computer labs provided by the university. Even if you or your apartment mates don't purchase Internet access while in Germany, having a computer to work on programming assignments will make your life much easier. Also, if you're going to bring a computer with you, make sure you've got a plug adapter for European outlets. If your computer works on 120V and 240V power, then you'll only need a plug adapter, and if not,you'll need to get a voltage converter as well.


Documents
It's a good idea to make photocopies of your plane tickets, passport, etc. before you leave and carry them with you. You could also choose to scan these items and burn them to a CD, but this is entirely up to you. Having copies of these items on you at all times will not only make replacement easier but will also help to identify you, since the only universally accepted form of ID in Germany is your passport.


Money
The official currency of Germany is the Euro. You can view current currency exchange rates at www.xe.com. Contrary to what you may believe, most stores in Germany DO NOT accept credit cards. Also, traveler's checks are not accepted in stores, but you will be able to cash them at banks. One way to get money overseas is to have someone transfer money to your American bank account so you can withdraw it at an ATM in Germany, and deposit it into your German bank account. This is not the only solution, but it seems to be the one which incurs the fewest fees. We recommend you notify your bank of expected use of your card in Germany so they do not put a hold on your account.


Banks
You will probably want to open a bank account while you're in Germany, and there are plenty of banks to choose from. As a reference point, banks are traditionally only open during the week. Among the available banks, Sparkasse seems to be the most ubiquitous around the country, but you can also go with Deutsche Bank or something similar. If you're living in any of the student housing such as Salzmarkt or Jahnplatz, the rent money can be taken from your account automatically each month, as well as the money required for health insurance.


Phone Service
Cell phones can be purchased for a flat fee, with talk and SMS time being purchased on calling cards in 15 euro increments.


Student I.D.
Your student I.D. may be the single most important document you receive while in Germany. It will get you free bus travel around the city, free train travel to a number of destinations, and it will let you eat at the student Mensa. You'll want to get this laminated, which can be done a copy shop (like the Unikat behind the music store in Neumarkt) for a nominal fee.


The Mensa
The Mensa is the student cafeteria located both downtown and at the Westerberg campus. You can get lunch there for around 3 euro and the quality is very good. The Mensa in Osnabrück has been voted best in Germany on more than one occasion, so you can expect that the food will always be good and inexpensive. With this in mind, don't be surprised when you have to wait twenty minutes in line to get food. Getting lunch at the Mensa is serious business around Osnabrü:ck.


Westerberg
Westerberg is the scientific/technical campus for the university, located in the northern part of the city, your cognitive science classes will be there. You may encounter the situation where you have to get from one campus to the other in between classes, which is why all classes unofficially start at quarter past and end at quarter before the hour. You can get to Westerberg by taking buses 11, 12, 13 and 21 towards the northern part of the city and getting off at Sedanplatz.


The Auslandsamt
The Auslandsamt is a university office where you can go if you have any concerns about housing, your adjustment to the country or with any other questions you may have. Lots of trips and activities are planned for the international students through the Auslandsamt, so keep yourself updated on what they're offering. The Auslandamt produces a very helpful guide to life in Osnabrück.


BahnCard
Before you start traveling around Germany, we recommend that you sign up for a BahnCard. This card will get you 25% or 50% off the price of train travel anywhere in Germany, plus if you sign up for the Rail Plus option, you can get 25% off in other countries as well. They vary in price (between 100 and 200 euors, approximately), depending on whether you want the 25% discount card or the 50%, but either one is worth the price.


Accommodations While Traveling
Youth hostels are always the most economical way to go. They can be researched and booked from any number of sites on the Internet. Some hostels (A&O Backpackers in Berlin) are much nicer and more accessible than others (A&O Backpackers in East Berlin), so research carefully.


Destinations in Germany
Your student I.D. will get you free train travel to Hanover, Bremen, and Münster, all of which are worth a look. A bit further away are Köln, Frankfurt, Hamburg and Berlin, all of which you could spend a few days in and have plenty to do. All the way to the south are München and Stuttgart, which could be a little expensive to get to, but definitely worth visiting, especially if you want to see them on your way to Austria, Switzerland, Italy, etc.


Destinations in Europe
The possibilities are very open here. You can find student-priced airline tickets for much less than you'd pay elsewhere. You can get tickets from the Münster-Osnabrück airport round-trip to Rome and London for €70 - €100,sometimes even less. Night trains to Paris are around €140, and since your student I.D. gets you to Bad Bentheim (the station at the border with the Netherlands) for free, you can get to Amsterdam round-trip for about €40. If you're staying in Germany over the winter break, planning a longer trip to one of these places is definitely worth it.

How to Apply

Croatia
Students must be at least second year status, be in good academic standing with the institute (3.0 cumulative GPA), be able to take a minimum of 1 of the 2 CS courses offered, and demonstrate the ability to articulate how this study abroad experience will fit with his/her academic goals.

Students must complete the Computer Science Application for Study Abroad in Croatia, available in the CS Student Services Office or with one of the Academic Advisors. In addition, you will need to write a concise personal statement as to why you are interested in the Dubrovnik program, and describe the personal benefits you expect to receive from this experience. You must also submit a minimum of one letter of recommendation from a CS faculty member.

---

Germany
Students must have completed at least three quarters of formal German language at RIT or have sufficient previous knowledge of the language. A cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 is required, and acceptance is based on the student's academic standing, recommendations, and personal study statement.

You should first speak with either Dr. Hans-Peter Bischof or Liane Fitzgerald about your interest in and qualifications for the program. The CS department will host a kick-off Germany Study Abroad meeting every fall quarter. If interested in applying to this program, please attend the first meeting to receive details on other application procedures. An application for SUNY Oswego, RIT Study Abroad Office, and the CS Department is required.

Liane Fitzgerald

Study Abroad Advisor
Phone: +1.585.475.2994
Office: GOL (70)-3018

Hans-Peter Bischof

Director, Germany Program
Phone: +1.585.475.2995
Office: GOL (70)-3005

Germany Study Abroad Program

The Location
Osnabrück is the third largest city in Lower Saxony with an approximate population of 170,000 people. Osnabrück lies on the main railroad line north from Frankfurt to Hamburg, which makes travel to other parts of Germany, as well as the rest of Western Europe, easy and inexpensive. Germany borders the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, France, Switzerland, Austria, Czech Republic, Poland, and Denmark.

Nearby German cities include Münster, Dortmund, Düsseldorf, Köln, and Hanover. The airport is the Münster Osnabrück International Airport and the main railway station is the Osnabrück Hauptbahnhof.



The Curriculum
Students typically take about five courses while in Germany, which equates to about 22 semester credits. Depending on the participant's major, a student could earn up to 32 quarter credits here at RIT. Students are registered with RIT as a full-time student while on study abroad.

This is a direct enrollment study abroad program which means that participants normally take courses in German alongside German students, but many choose to take courses in English from the Cognitive Science Program. This program includes participants from around the world, and is a complete immersion program.

German lectures are not run the same way as they are in America. Some lectures are taught as seminar classes, where each student's grade is based on a presentation they make for the lecture as well as a final paper. Others are taught as traditional lectures, but each student's grade may be determined solely by the final exam for the course. Still others are taught as practice sections, where students go simply to try exercises and ask questions about the associated lecture. You would likely take a mixture of these types of courses while in Germany.

Artificial Intelligence
Introduction to basic concepts, methods, and algorithms of artificial intelligence with relations to topics of cognitive science. Problem solving and planning, constraint satisfaction, theorem proving and non-monotonic reasoning, approaches to knowledge representation, machine learning, declarative programming languages. Discussion of current/special topics:Multi-agent systems, cognitive robotics, computer vision, natural language processing.

Functional Programming
Introduction to concepts of functional programming based on the programming language ML. Functions, recursion, currying, higher order functions (functionals), binding, evaluation, lambda calculus, type inference and type checking, optimization and program transformation, fixed point semantics, theorem proving and verification. Special aspects of AI programming with Common Lisp.


Housing
Students typically live in University of Osnabrück designated apartments. These apartments usually consist of a single-person bedroom along with shared living space, kitchen, and bathroom. Students will most likely live with other university students from Germany and other European countries. There are university cafeterias and many inexpensive restaurants in the area. Students may also live off-campus with placement assistance provided by the University of Osnabrück.


Program Costs
Students will actually pay tuition and college fees to SUNY Oswego. The estimated cost for one semester of study is dependent on airfare, individual spending habits, and housing selection. This total cost includes SUNY Oswego tuition and college fees, housing and meals, round-trip airfare, program differential, repatriation insurance, passport, and local transportation. An up-to-date program cost sheet can be obtained from the CS Student Services Office.


Financial Aid
Students currently receiving financial aid may be able to use their aid for overseas study and may, in some cases, have their awards increased. Students not currently receiving financial aid should also consult with a financial aid advisor to discuss financing options. Regardless of your situation, students should consult with the Office of Financial Aid at RIT to discuss the program costs before committing to the program.


Insurance
The University of Osnabrück recommends German health insurance for all international students. Students who can show that they are covered by comparable personal or family insurance will be permitted to waive the German insurance. SUNY regulations also require medical evacuation and repatriation insurance for all overseas programs. This special insurance will be added to the total costs of this program.


Orientation
The International Student Office at the University of Osnabrück requires all international students to attend a mandatory orientation the week before classes start in October. Students are free to travel through Europe before the orientation, but are expected to arrive at their residence in Germany by 4pm on the designated orientation date.


Flights
Students are responsible for making their own flight arrangements for this program. Check out the useful links page for more information on flights.