International Student Exchange Programs

The International Student Exchange Program, founded in 1979 as a small non-profit organization, has grown into one of the largest study abroad membership networks in the world.
ISEP is a non-profit educational community dedicated to helping students overcome academic and financial barriers to study abroad. We work in partnership with our network of member colleges and universities from around the world to help provide students access to affordable, high-quality programs, that in return, help develop culturally sensitive skill sets needed for today's global workforce.
Since our founding, we have sent over 51,000 students abroad. We believe no one should be held back from being able to study abroad regardless of academic major, socio-economic status and geographic location.
Through our partnerships with our member institutions, we’re able to connect students to high-quality, academic programs at more than 300 universities in 56 countries.
History
1979-1997
Established in 1979 under authority of the Fulbright-Hays Act as the International Student Exchange Program at Georgetown University, ISEP was supported by a grant from the (former) United States Information Agency (USIA) until 1996.
Throughout the 1980's and early 1990's, there was a focused effort to widen the network. The first year of exchanges involved Georgetown University and six international universities. However, by 1997, there were over 240 member universities in the U.S. and abroad.
In 1996, ISEP's funding from USIA was discontinued. This led to its incorporation as an independent, non-profit membership-based organization.
1997-2014
After its incorporation in 1996, ISEP began concentrating its efforts on obtaining financial stability while aiming toward continued membership growth and program development. By 2003, ISEP achieved these goals through an ambitious evaluation and implementation of new financial structures and program options, introducing ISEP Direct (formerly ISEP II).
2014-2016
Throughout 2014 and 2015, ISEP underwent an organizational re-branding in order to further align the company's goals towards helping all students overcome financial and academic barriers to study abroad. The re-brand included a new visual identity focused on representing the diverse community of members and students that make up the ISEP network. In 2016, ISEP launched a new website focused on human-centered design principles and introduced their new president and CEO, Dr. John Lucas.
Membership
ISEP member institutions make up a community of more than 300 accredited academic institutions in over 56 countries.
Member Benefits
Access to a global community of accredited higher education institutions
Give your students access to a wide range of institutions of higher education in Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, Oceania, South America and the Middle East. One agreement with ISEP gives you access to all of our member institutions, without the need to maintain each individual relationship. This allows you to focus on a few strategic bi-laterals without the necessity of maintaining specific agreements. All ISEP host institutions go through a detailed application process to ensure the highest level of program quality. In addition, members can access professional development and networking opportunities through ISEP conferences, coordinator workshops and study tours.
Increased staffing and on-site host institution support for students
We offer dedicated staff to help your institution reach your internationalization goals and assist your students throughout the study abroad process. Host institution coordinators conduct orientation, ensure housing and meals are provided, and facilitate students’ registration and integration into their host institutions.
Training in emergency preparedness and response
Student health and safety is our number one priority. As the world faces increased instability, we know how important it is to be prepared in case of an emergency. Every member institution adheres to rigorous membership standards and training designed to ensure student health, safety and well-being.
Fewer academic limitations
ISEP students are not limited by their field of study because placements are available in all academic disciplines. Our staff provide expert advising on programs with a focus on curriculum integration, and, facilitate the exchange of academic information and transcripts, between host universities, home universities and students.
Reduced financial barriers
We aim to provide the most affordable programs in order to empower students of all financial backgrounds to study abroad. ISEP Direct fees are developed with host institutions to be affordable for all students. ISEP also offers scholarships to help students overcome the financial circumstances limiting access to study abroad.
Home campus diversity
Incoming exchange students bring cultural and linguistic diversity representing international perspectives on your campus and in your classrooms. To help further achieve this goal, our organization sponsors the J-1 exchange visitor program for all ISEP students studying in the U.S.
Consistency in enrollment numbers and tuition
Using our revenue neutral model, we carefully manage your exchange enrollment to avoid imbalances.
“Study abroad” beyond the classroom
Our membership offers your students access to internships, service-learning, community engagement and volunteering opportunities in over 50 countries.
<big>Membership Types</big>
ISEP Exchange Membership
For every student sent abroad, a host institution receives one in return. Inbound students can be from any ISEP Exchange member institution. Placement at an ISEP member institution depends on students' academic qualifications and available exchange space at the institution. Once placed, a student pays the cost of an academic term to their home university (such as tuition, housing and meals) and pays ISEP a one-time placement fee. In return, we take care of facilitating student exchanges between ISEP members and managing both agreements and balances with ISEP.
ISEP Direct Membership
Each student pays a fee to ISEP that covers their host institution’s program cost. Programs are either direct enroll courses, like on ISEP Exchange, or specialized programs focused on a specific language, culture or academic field. We manage agreements between ISEP members and guarantee students' placement at any ISEP Direct host institution as long as they meed the requirements and academic qualifications for acceptance.
ISEP Program Types
ISEP Exchange
ISEP Exchange programs are based on the concept of reciprocal exchange and are open to students at ISEP Exchange member institutions only. Each outbound participant pays the cost of an academic term at home while, for every student sent abroad, the institution receives one in return. ISEP facilitates exchanges between U.S. and international members as well as exchanges among international institutions (International to International). ISEP Exchanges allow students students to exchange places at member universities for up to a full academic year.
Exchanges are based on the balance of students exchanging places rather than a monetary exchange, so a university abroad can only accept as many students as it sends out. Students pay a fee to their home university based on the cost of tuition, fees, housing, and a full meal plan at the home institution. This program fee creates a "place" and a set of benefits for an incoming student. Abroad, students receive the same set of ISEP benefits covered by the fees that the outgoing student paid to that university. An application/placement fee is paid to ISEP. Financial aid and scholarships usually apply for U.S. students.
ISEP Direct
ISEP Direct is a fee-paid option that was developed as a non-reciprocal alternative to ISEP Exchange in order to provide more students access to institutions that are in great demand. ISEP Direct placements are open to students at ISEP member and affiliate Institutions. Students pay a fee to ISEP which covers the host institution's program cost. The program fee covers tuition, orientation, student services abroad, and often room and meals. Financial aid usually applies for US students. At most sites, there are no limits on the number of ISEP Direct students that can be accepted, so the chance of placement for qualified students is very good. Courses offered are usually the same on ISEP-Exchange and ISEP-Direct unless otherwise noted. Some ISEP-Direct programs focus on area studies such as language and culture, and others are primarily language-acquisition programs.
ISEP for All
If students attend a non-member institution, they can still participate in our programs. As an inclusive organization dedicated to improving student access to study abroad, we have opened 13 of our universities offering ISEP Direct programs to any student from an accredited institution of higher education. Highly rated for providing excellent student experiences, high-quality academic programs and exemplary on-site support, we have nominated these 13 universities because we believe they represent some of the best our memberships can offer. Like ISEP Direct, your student will pay ISEP the program fee, and we will work with your institution to help manage the agreement with your student’s selected ISEP institution.
ISEP Summer Programs
ISEP Summer programs outside of the U.S. are good for students who wish to improve their language skills or learn about a special academic subject in another country for a shorter period of time. Some summer programs are offered as ISEP Exchange and others are ISEP Direct. Summer ISEP Exchanges are available to students at ISEP Exchange Member institutions only. Summer ISEP Direct programs are available to students at all ISEP Member institutions. Not all ISEP Members offer summer programs, and the participating universities vary from year to year.
Program Features
Students enroll directly at their host institutions and have access to many academic programs and courses for which they have the pre-requisites and language skills. ISEP participants take courses in language and area studies, international relations, humanities and social sciences, as well as in “non-traditional” study-abroad fields: business, engineering, applied sciences, environmental studies, and education. They have studied geology in Iceland, computer science in Japan, criminology in Sweden, social work in Argentina, sports science in Finland, geography and resource development in Ghana, increasing their understanding of the international dimension of their field and developing critical intercultural communication skills.
International students can apply for placements at ISEP member colleges and universities in 45 states as well as Puerto Rico. ISEP offers a diverse number of study abroad destinations. ISEP students have the option to study in ‘non-traditional’ environments all over the world, giving them the opportunity to fully immerse themselves in the culture in their host countries.
Future
Changing the face of ISEP
From 2005-2009, ISEP began refocusing its strategic plan in order to re-energize and modernize its image as a front-runner of the study abroad industry. It has introduced a new logo, a revamped website, and streamlined application process. Additionally, it has sought new ways to recruit and connect students through special projects such as the ISEP Facebook community, Student Ambassadors Program, and annual photo-essay contest.
Future programs/projects
ISEP hopes to broaden its membership base and deepen its commitment to current and future members and the study abroad community by introducing a new database and online application system; pursuing options in non-traditional locations such as the Middle East; and exploring international exchanges for faculty, staff, and education executives.

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