International Student Exchange Program (ISEP)
Enthusiasm and passport needed: With ISEP, you can study abroad for a semester, summer, and/or a full academic year in over 60 different countries.
What is ISEP?
ISEP Information
There are two different ISEP program types to choose from.
ISEP Exchange (home pay): allows you to swap spots with a student from another ISEP Exchange institution as an international student. By studying abroad on ISEP Exchange, you pay your tuition and fees to your home institution and open up a spot for someone to come learn at your university. Choose up to 10 universities and we’ll place you at the best option depending on exchange space and your academic needs.
If you choose to apply for a spot at an ISEP Exchange site with limited chances of placement during Semester 1 or for any Full Year Program (beginning in July, August, September or October) you must apply before March 1 to be eligible. The same thing applies for students wishing to apply to Semester 2 or Calendar Year Programs (beginning in January, February or March), you must apply by September 15. Just make sure you apply before our priority deadlines to get placed at one of your top study abroad destinations.
ISEP Direct (host pay): includes locations that expand program options to iconic destinations around the world, including Florence, Thessaloniki, Barcelona, Paris, Sydney, and Seoul. On ISEP Direct, you choose your destination and pay a set program fee. Most programs include housing, add-ons such as language courses and excursions, and all programs include tuition and health insurance. For most ISEP Direct sites, the chance of placement is excellent, but for some of our most popular programs, we do reach capacity. We encourage you to submit your application early for the best chance of securing your spot.
UAS and ISEP screen applicants thoroughly. Applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Have a minimum cumulative UAS GPA of 2.5 when the application is due and have a minimum UAS 2.5 semester GPA the semester before your study away program with some ISEP locations requiring a 3.0 minimum. *Note that each ISEP program has their own requirement.
- Be a degree-seeking student at UAS working towards a certificate, associate, or bachelor’s degree.
- Be enrolled full-time at UAS the semester before your study away program.
- Complete at least two full-time semesters (enrolled in 12 credits or more) as a degree-seeking student before the first semester away.
- Have no incomplete (I) grades on your transcript.
- Have good academic, behavioral, and financial standing at UAS, and no disciplinary probation status within a year of departure.
All ISEP participants pay a $100 application fee in addition to the $100 UAS internal application fee. At the time of acceptance, students will then pay an additional $395 non-refundable placement fee. Each student is designated an ISEP program advisor to help with any questions during the application, payment, placement, and program processes. These costs are part of financial aid eligibility!
Exchange Students- pay a flat $12,650 fee to UAS for the ISEP exchange. The fee covers tuition and fees, housing and a food stipend, as well as some program add-ons at the specific exchange host location.
Direct Students-each host campus sets their own program fee(s) and can be found on their individual profiles. You can start your direct program search with this reference link.
*Travel expenses, international health insurance, phone plans, passport/visa requirements, miscellaneous course fees, and personal costs are to be covered by the applicant.
UA scholarships, tuition waivers, loans, grants and outside scholarships may be used by ISEP participants. Most financial aid will apply to the ISEP program. For more details be sure to visit with a UAS Financial Aid representative.
Scholarship Opportunities
- UAS Student Government Scholarship has allocated funds for up to $6000 per academic year for outgoing UAS international study away students. This scholarship consists of a separate application process and applicants must meet the minimimum requirements. *For more information, please contact the Exchange & Study Away coordinator directly.
- ISEP-specific program scholarships
- Community Scholarship- up to $500
- Mobility Scholarship- up to $1,100
- Samantha Gross Memorial Accessibility Scholarship- between $250-1,000
- Africa for All and Heritage Seeking Scholarship- up to $1,000
- Founders Fellowship (language immersion)- $2,500
- French and German Language Annette Kade Fund Scholarship- between $500-1,500
- ISEP member institution scholarships
- Kansai Gaidai University Merit Scholarship- up to $8,000
- London Metropolitan's Study Abroad Diversity Scholarship- up to £2,500 for one semester
- Massey University Scholarship- up to NZ$1,000 (ISEP Direct program students only)
- Massey University Global Athlete Award- up to NZ$1,000
- Auckland US/NZ Exchange Award- between NZ$1,000-3,000
- Vice Chancellor's Scholarship for Diversity in Study Abroad (England)- up to £1,000
- Chukyo University Scholarship (Japan)- up to JPY 150,000 per semester
- Global Korea Scholarship Program- up to KRW 630,000 per month of semester program & reimbursement for round-trip economy airfare to South Korea
- Other ISEP funding information can be found here.
ISEP participants will not usually register for courses until they arrive at their host universities. It is the responsibility of the student to have all courses reviewed prior to leaving UAS. The "Credit Equivalency Form" denotes how many credits will be accepted and the specific requirement each course satisfies. The form will be sent after placement into a program is finalized. General education, major, minor, and elective courses may be taken. When the student returns to UAS and has submitted a transcript from the host institution, the exchange courses are then listed on the UAS transcript with grades, the number of credits, and cumulative grade point average.
General education, major, minor, and elective courses may be taken and will be recorded on the UAS transcript. The host institution will send a transcript to ISEP, which in turn will mail it to UAS at no additional charge. The courses are then listed on the UAS transcript with grades, number of credits, and cumulative grade point average.
ISEP application is on-line. It consists of personal paperwork combined with faculty references, a short essay, requested photo(s), and more. Allow at least a month to complete the process. *Please note that all applications need to be reviewed and approved by the Academic Exchange office one week before the ISEP web deadline.
Deadline for Fall and Academic Year programs is March 1. The deadline for Spring programs is September 15.