International Student Exchange Programs

1. International Student Exchange Programs

2. ISEP Overview • World’s largest student exchange organization • Membership non-profit with over 300 members • 30 years of experience in international education • Reciprocal and fee-paid programs • Over 34,000 participants to date • Over 2,600 participants last year

3. ISEP Statistics

4. ISEP Benefits • Access to 140 sites in 41 countries, without the obligation of individual agreements • Cost effective for institutions and students • Students are fully integrated into the host culture abroad • Incoming students help internationalize the campus • ISEP Coordinators at all institutions • Network and professional development

5. Administration • Board of Directors • ISEP President • Mary Anne Grant, former President of NAFSA • ISEP Central in Washington, DC • Advisory Council - US and International • ISEP Coordinators

6. ISEP Coordinator For Outgoing Students • Recruits, advises, and nominates students • Coordinates registration procedures • Predeparture orientation • Transfers credit For Incoming Students • Orientation, advising, registration, support • Assists with visa/immigration procedures • Transcript issuance

7. ISEP Options • ISEP-Exchanges • Affordable options with ISEP-Direct • Semester or year-long; some summer • Diverse settings and institutions • Course offerings in most fields of study • Undergraduate and Graduate available

8. ISEP Exchanges • Cost is based on home institution fees • Number of placements depend on exchange balance • Placement process can be competitive; students are selected on the basis of academic and personal merit • Priority deadlines: Feb. 1 or Sept. 1

9. ISEP-Direct • Increase opportunities where exchanges are not sufficient to satisfy the demand • Many intensive language options • An international student does not fill the departing student’s place • Students pay a program fee which covers tuition and often room and board • Excellent chance of placement if academic requirements are met • Benefits are same as exchanges

10. Placement Process • Students use ISEP website and brochures to research sites available • Home institution advises, selects, and nominates students; sends in applications • ISEP Central reviews application and makes placement based on space available / balance and appropriate academic fit • Host institution confirms and sends welcome materials to students • Predeparture and on-site orientations

11. Faculty Involvement • Help advise outgoing students • Application and course selection • Recommendations • Language Proficiency Report • Pre-approve courses • Course approval upon return • Incoming student applications • International students in your classes

12. Preparing for ISEP • Consider current systems with other bilateral exchange and provider programs • Registration and financial aid • Faculty: recommendation letters and course pre-approval; incoming student approval • Predeparture orientation for outgoing • Welcome packet and arrival orientation for incoming students • Registration, housing, meals for incoming students • Financial aid and transfer credit upon return

13. www.isep.org