J-1 Exchange Visitors
Students interested in an exchange semester or year at Pace that are currently enrolled at one of Pace’s Exchange Partners, are eligible to apply through their home school study abroad coordinator. To study at Pace, exchange students must first be nominated by their home institution.
Why Study at Pace?
- Experience the most dynamic city in the U.S. at our Manhattan campus or a more traditional college campus in Pleasantville.
- Activities on and off-campus. Engage with 55+ student clubs and organizations. Explore all New York City and its surrounding areas have to offer.
- A global network. Connect with your Pace University community, representing 117 countries and speaking 98 languages.
Nomination and Application Information
International students can attend Pace University for one semester or two and obtain a J-1 visa for participating in a study abroad program.
Exchange partners must email student’s nomination, including a copy of student’s passport, full name, address in home country, email address, academic level, field of studies at Pace, and program duration of exchange program to Melba Benitez, Associate Director, International Students and Scholars at mbenitez@pace.edu. The nomination deadlines are as follows:
- Spring: April 1
- Fall: September 15
*Deadlines remain the same every year
Nominated students will receive application information after the nomination deadline. The application deadlines are as follows:
- Spring: May 15
- Fall: October 15
*Deadlines are subject to change. In the event a deadline is changed, nominated students and partners will be notified via email.
Academic Information
Participating exchange students can select from a variety of courses posted each semester on Pace’s Schedule Explorer. During the application process, students must complete a Course Selection Sheet for course registration. Course Selection Sheets must be approved by students’ home institution. In addition, students must meet all pre-requisites for a course in order to enroll. Placement in course selections is not guaranteed and subject to availability.
Requirements for completing course selection sheets:
- Form must be fully completed.
- Students must provide 5 preferred course selections and 5 different alternate course options.
- Course Selection Forms must be signed by student’s Academic Advisor.
- Incomplete forms will not be accepted and may delay application processing.
Restrictions
Courses in the School of Performing Arts and in the Film and Screen Studies department are not open to exchange students. Law School exchanges and exchange agreements are handled directly through the Pace Law School. Lubin School of Business is not open to graduate level exchange students. The Dyson College Center for Global Psychology is not open to graduate level exchange students.
A note on course numbers in the U.S.
In the United States, the course level number does not necessarily correspond to the year/class standing/number of credits a student has already completed. For example, at the undergraduate level it is not at all uncommon for any student, regardless of class standing, to enroll in a 100, 200, 300, or 400 level course. Otherwise stated, you may see first, second, third, and fourth year students all in the same course. Look closely at the description and listed pre-requisites in Schedule Explorer to determine the level of content of a particular course.
Credit System
1 US Credit Hour = 2 ECTS
English Proficiency Requirements
| English Proficiency Test | Direct Entry |
|---|---|
| TOEFL iBT | 80+ |
| IELTS | 6.5+ |
| PTE | 54+ |
| KITE | 462+ |
| TOEFL Essentials | 9.0+ |
| Trinity Exam | ISE II Distinction |
| Cambridge Exam | Cambridge English B2 First, C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency score 176 |
J-1 Visa Information
The International Students & Scholars Office issues the form DS-2019 Certificate of Eligibility for J-1 exchange visitor status to nominated students. Students must present this form to the U.S. embassy or consulate in their home country to apply for a J-1 Visa. Detailed visa information, requirements, and more is provided during the students’ exchange application process.
Health Insurance
All students (regardless of visa status/citizenship) are required to carry adequate health insurance during the full duration of their program at Pace University. J-1 Exchange Visitors are further required by U.S. Department of State regulations to carry insurance during their stay in the U.S.
Exchange students are automatically enrolled in Pace’s health insurance. Students wishing to waive out of Pace’s health insurance must provide proof of comparable health insurance coverage that meets the University waiver requirements. Please visit the Health Insurance Waiver page for information about the waiver process.
Immunizations
New York State Public Health Law requires that all college and university students enrolled for at least six (6) semester hours or the equivalent per semester, submit proof/documentation of immunization (Measles, Mumps and Rubella). Please see the instructions for submitting immunizations.
Housing
Housing placement is competitive and not guaranteed. Students wishing to reside on campus must submit a Housing application with their exchange student application. Please see housing information on the Housing page.
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New York City, widely known as the Big Apple, is home to America’s most populous and exciting city! As an art, business, finance, and cultural capital, New York offers a wide array of activities and entertainment, as well as opportunities for education and development. From the architectural wonders of the Empire State Building and Grand Central Terminal, to the artistic creations in the Guggenheim Museum, and across the Hudson River to the trademark of freedom—the Statue of Liberty—New York City has been an inspiration to some of the greatest entrepreneurs, entertainers, and leaders in the world.
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- Population: 8.4 million in the City and 20.3 million in the Metropolitan area
- Time Zone: Eastern Standard Time
- Major airports: John F. Kennedy (JFK), LaGuardia (LGA), and Newark (EWR)
- NYC consists of 5 boroughs – Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, the Bronx, and Staten Island.
- New York City is the #1 U.S. destination for international travelers.
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- Visit Wall Street, the U.S. Stock Exchange, and the U.S. Federal Reserve
- Take the ferry to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island
- Visit Times Square
- Go to Broadway and off-Broadway shows
- Support some of the greatest sports teams in the world! NYC is home to the Yankees and Mets baseball teams, NY Knicks and Brooklyn Nets basketball teams, Giants and Jets football teams, the Rangers and Islanders professional hockey teams, and the NY Red Bulls and the New York City Football Club soccer teams
- Go shopping in SOHO or on Fifth Avenue
- Visit world-famous museums such as the Metropolitan Museum, the Museum of Modern Art, Guggenheim Museum, or the American Museum of Natural History
- Take a stroll across the Brooklyn Bridge
- Bicycle or run around Central Park, followed by a picnic
- Listen to jazz music at a Greenwich Village club
- Visit Lincoln Center for a classical music, opera, or ballet performance
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Temperatures on campus vary throughout the academic year, and a variety of clothing types should be considered when packing for your journey to Pace. You will also have plenty of opportunity to purchase any clothing or supplies you will need once you arrive, should you need to do so.
Lightweight clothing is recommended for the summer months when the weather is hot and humid. Temperatures from June through September range from 70°F (21°C) to more than 90°F (32°C). A raincoat, rain boots, and an umbrella are useful for rainy weather.
Winters (November through March) can be quite cold, with snow and ice a routine possibility. Be sure to bring warm and adequate clothing! Temperatures range from 20°F (-7°C) to 45°F (7°C), and sometimes may drop as low as 0°F (-18°C). A good winter coat, scarf, boots, and gloves are recommended.
Autumn (September to October) and spring (March to May) are usually moderate with temperatures ranging from 50°F (10°C) to 70°F (20°C).
While you will be provided with a wealth of information during your orientations, the Pace website is a great tool for familiarizing yourself with campus resources and student requirements. Here are some important links which you should Bookmark for easy access.