Earn credits at Manhattan School of Music while seeing the world!
Manhattan School of Music offers a foreign exchange program for current students to study abroad at any of our nine partner schools, such as the Royal Danish Academy of Music in Copenhagen (photo above).
Studying and traveling abroad is an irreplaceable experience in your education that prepares you to perform and engage as a global citizen.
Foreign Exchange allows students to study abroad at MSM’s partner institutions while earning credits and paying tuition at MSM. Students on exchange trade places with students at the partner institution as per agreement between MSM and the partner institution.
SYDNEY CONSERVATIUM, Sydney – Virtual Only except for Australian Citizens/students currently residing in Australia General Information
ROYAL DANISH ACADEMY OF MUSIC, Copenhagen General Information
SIBELIUS ACADEMY, Helsinki General Information
CONSERVATOIRE NATIONAL SUPÉRIEUR DE MUSIQUE ET DE DANSE DE PARIS, Paris Language Requirement: Working Knowledge of French General Information
MUSIKHOCHSCHULE STUTTGART, Stuttgart Language Requirement: Must know some German General Information
AMSTERDAM CONSERVATORY, Amsterdam Jazz students interested in this program should contact MSM’s Jazz Office prior to submitting an application. General Information
NORWEGIAN ACADEMY OF MUSIC, Oslo General Information
ROYAL COLLEGE OF MUSIC, London General Information
ROYAL CONSERVATOIRE OF SCOTLAND, Glasgow General Information
Year Abroad: Fall Semester (Fall 2023)
Exchange Institution: Sibelius Academy / Helsinki, Finland
Why did you choose to study abroad? To get a different perspective both musically and more broadly as well.
Why did you choose the institution you chose? I had heard many great things from a friend who went previously and I kept seeing Finland and the Sibelius Academy making appearances in the City.
What is a unique learning experience you encountered abroad that you wouldn’t have had at MSM? Participation in the Historical Performance program, Global music department, and folk music department, the ability to easily take courses in different department such as jazz, access to free student tickets for most concerts of the Helsinki Radio Symphony and Helsinki Philharmonic.
How was it to have a different private teacher? It was very helpful, good to get some new perspectives and different ideas. It also helped me start to form my own opinions on things like reeds and even musical decisions since I was able to draw on more information from different sources and cross examine them.
What were some unexpected challenges while abroad? Dealing with getting a Finnish tax card so I could be paid for working there. Occasional strikes that would disable public transport which was otherwise very reliable. Weather!
What external/cultural opportunities were you able to take advantage of while abroad? I got some gig opportunities in Finland outside of SibA. Beyond that, the experience of jumping in a cold lake after sitting in a wood heated sauna and the experience of trying to learn Finnish.
How was finding housing? Obtaining a work visa? Quite easy, there are student housing agencies and if these don’t work out (which is unlikely as long as you are proactive) there are other opportunities available.
How has your time abroad affected your life/career path? Very much so. It gave me the chance to try historical performance, which is something I may do for a masters now, and to get the opportunity to see what classical, and other, music is like in Europe. Also, rather specific to me, I know have a much better understanding of my body while playing, and generally, due to courses I was able to take there, and this has helped me tremendously.
What would you tell/advise MSM students interested in the Foreign Exchange Program? I would say to definitely take advantage of it. It will be worth it 10 fold. If you are afraid of missing out on things here, you have no idea how many more things you are missing out on in this other place that you don’t even know you will love yet.
With proper planning, going on exchange will not slow down your progress towards graduation.
Please note: These limitations are in place for scheduling and graduation purposes.
February 1, 2024: MSM Foreign Exchange Application Due February 15, 2024: MSM Foreign Exchange Results Released March 1 to March 31, 2024: Partner School Materials Due (Recording)* End of the Semester: Final Results Released
**Each Partner School has their own deadline; please see info page here for specific details: 2024-25 MSM Exchange Partners
Students can submit an application online at the following link: Foreign Exchange Application. This application is due February 1, 2024 and consists of:
Once this MSM application is accepted, you will be guided through an additional process for your Partner School. This will consist of:
*See above for links to information from specific institution and their application requirements.
Will I need to renew my TOEFL if I study abroad and then return to MSM? No, your TOEFL is submitted to MSM when you applied, and it is valid throughout your degree.
Will I get actual grades from my exchange school? Will the grades be factored into my MSM GPA? You will be evaluated in all of your courses abroad, and each course/school is different in terms of grading with numbers, letters, pass/fail, etc. NO, your grades received abroad will not be factored into your MSM GPA. On your transcript, the semester(s) you spend abroad will show up with grades of “T” for “transfer”.
Are there any visa limitations or general limitations for international students to go on exchange? Yes, you can always go on exchange, but be sure to speak with Michael Lockhart, Director of International Student Services to be sure all of your paperwork is in order.
Are there opportunities to apply for scholarships abroad to help pay for housing and other expenses abroad? Typically not through MSM or through our partner schools, except in Stuttgart.
If the student at the partner school that I am exchanging with ends up dropping out at the last minute, will my acceptance to study at that partner school be rescinded? No.
Is there an official test to prove my proficiency in German for Stuttgart? No, but some German is helpful.
Am I allowed to study at a partner school for just the Spring semester? Yes if we can work that out with the partner school.
If I am selected as an exchange student, will I be required to attend? It is expected that you be fully committed to attend upon submission of your Partner School specific application. However, you will not be obligated to go if you are selected.
Is it too late for me to go on exchange for the coming spring or fall semesters? It is not likely, but if you are unsure please be in contact by emailing studyabroad@msmnyc.edu to set up an appointment to confirm eligibility.
The Helsinki Music Centre is a concert hall and a music center in Töölönlahti, Helsinki. The building is home to Sibelius Academy and two symphony orchestras, the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra and the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra
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