International Studies Abroad
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International Studies Abroad (ISA) is a private study abroad organization based in Austin, Texas. ISA manages programs for U.S. and Canadian university students studying abroad at recognized foreign universities, employing roughly 200 people domestically in the United States and abroad. The President and CEO is Gustavo J. Artaza. ISA is a Global Partner of NAFSA: Association of International Educators and a member of the Forum on Education Abroad. Relationship with U.S. universities Like many of its peer organizations in study abroad, ISA works closely with U.S. university study abroad offices by sending representatives to participate in campus study abroad fairs and other outreach efforts across the country. ISA signs affiliation agreements with universities with the aim to increase student access to ISA scholarships. As of late 2010, ISA was affiliated with 242 universities and awarded $60,000 in scholarships each year, with $40,000 reserved for students originating at affiliate universities. Program locations ISA opened its first study abroad program at the University of Salamanca in Salamanca, Spain in the summer of 1987. , ISA operated study abroad programs in 18 countries in Europe, Latin America, Asia, North Africa and the Middle East. Argentina *Buenos Aires - University of Belgrano, University of El Salvador *Córdoba - National University of Córdoba Belgium * Brussels - Vesalius College Brazil *Florianópolis - Universidade do Sul de Santa Catarina Chile *Valparaíso/Viña del Mar - Pontifical Catholic University of Valparaíso, Adolfo Ibáñez University China *Shanghai - East China Normal University Costa Rica *Heredia - Universidad Latina-Heredia *San José - Veritas University, Latin American University of Science and Technology Czech Republic *Prague - Charles University, University of Economics, Prague Dominican Republic *Santiago - Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra England *London - London South Bank University, University of Westminster, King's College London, Florida State University-London *Newcastle - Newcastle University *Reading - University of Reading France *Paris - Catholic University of Paris, The Sorbonne, American Business School Paris Italy *Florence - Florence University of the Arts (FUA) *Rome - American University of Rome Jordan *Amman - Al-Ahliyya Amman University Mexico *Guanajuato - University of Guanajuato Morocco *Meknès - Moulay Ismail University Panama *Panama City - Florida State University-Panama Peru *Cusco - Centro Tinku *Lima - Pontifical Catholic University of Peru, Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola, University of the Pacific South Korea *Seoul - Konkuk University Spain *Barcelona - Menéndez Pelayo International University Barcelona, Pompeu Fabra University, University of Barcelona, Autonomous University of Barcelona *Bilbao - University of Deusto *Granada - University of Granada *Madrid - Antonio de Nebrija University, Complutense University of Madrid *Málaga - University of Málaga *Salamanca - University of Salamanca *San Sebastián - University of Deusto *Santander - Menéndez Pelayo International University Santander, University of Cantabria *Seville - Menéndez Pelayo International University Seville, Pablo de Olavide University, University of Seville *Valencia - Florida State University Study Center-Valencia, University of Valencia Academics ISA participants study at recognized universities abroad and receive an official transcript from the institution upon completion of the program. The transcripts are sent to ISA Austin from the host institution, process and sent to participants home universities. Each transcript that is sent to students' home universities is accompanied by an ISA cover letter that containing information intended to facilitate the job of the transcript evaluator. The accompanying letter includes a translation of course titles, the number of hours of instruction for each course, the language level for each course (if applicable), the language of instruction for each course, and a note as to whether the courses were "regular" university courses (with local students of the host country) or "special" courses specifically designed for international students. Finally, the cover letter offers a grading scale recommendation. Organization In addition to its original study abroad division designed for college students, ISA wholly owns and operates three subsidiaries. *Learning Programs International (LPI) - LPI designs and manages study abroad programs for U.S. high school students, typically during the summer. LPI was founded in 1989, and is ISA's oldest subsidiary. LPI operates programs in Costa Rica, England, France, Italy, Mexico, Peru and Spain. *Experiential Learning Abroad Programs (ELAP) - ELAP was founded in 2002 and manages structured volunteer placements in many fields at ISA program locations in Latin America and England. Unlike ISA, LPI and Veritas Abroad programs, ELAP participants typically do not earn academic credit during an ELAP program. *Veritas Christian Study Abroad - Veritas was founded in 2009 as part of an effort to increase participation in study abroad programs by Christian college students. Participants receive academic credit from Veritas programs through its academic sponsor, California Baptist University in Riverside, California. CBU is a member school of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU). Customized programs ISA began collaborating with U.S. universities to support faculty-led short term study abroad programs in 2000. Since then, ISA has worked with more than 25 universities to develop and administer over 125 programs. Customized programs may run in length from 10 days to 4 months.
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