The International Student Exchange Program (ISEP) is a network of more than 275 U.S. and international universities that engage in reciprocal student exchanges. ISEP provides Northwestern students opportunities for study at more than 100 institutions in more than 35 countries through two options:
Exchange programs are generally considered to be a full cultural and academic immersion. Since you are taking someone's place, you may be the only Northwestern student at your host institution. You will be doing just as the locals do: taking their courses and living just as they do, much like the international students who study at Northwestern. The cultural experience usually begins before you even leave Northwestern as you learn about a different system of higher education in your host country.
Student who choose to pursue study abroad through an ISEP placement should be independent, self-motivated, and flexible. Due to the volume of papers that must be submitted for an ISEP application, students should begin preparing the application at least two months prior to the application deadlines identified below.
Once a placement has been made by the ISEP Central Office, the application is forwarded to Northwestern for final approval.
Multilateral exchange study sites are available in Asia, the British Isles, Canada, Europe and Latin America. Applicants must be mature, have a minimum 2.75 cumulative GPA, and possess the appropriate foreign language skills (for sites where English is not the native language, the minimum language requirement is at least 4-5 semesters of university level language study.) Applications are due January 20 for the fall semester and August 20 for placements beginning the following Spring. All application materials need to be turned into the University's ISEP coordinator at least one month prior to those dates. For more information about ISEP and available study sites, visit ISEP's Web site at http://www.isep.org.
Northwestern students must have completed one academic year of study. A minimum 2.75 cumulative GPA is required. Students must maintain the equivalent of a full-time course load during the exchange and may not stay more than one academic year.
One-semester, two-semester, and limited summer programs are offered by ISEP, but not all options are available at each university.
Do you know the famous expression, "When in Rome, do as the Romans do?" This holds true for your accommodations. Accommodations may be in dormitories, student apartments, or with host families, depending on what is typical at each university.
While quite competitive, ISEP exchange placements provide one of the most economical means for academically strong student to study abroad.
A $315 ISEP application fee is due upon application directly payable to ISEP. Fees are non-refundable unless placement cannot be offered. If placement is not offered, $250 will be refunded.
Your financial aid package at Northwestern (including scholarships) may be applicable to an ISEP Exchange or Direct placement. Check with your financial aid counselor. Additionally, scholarship programs are available to you through ISEP.
It is your responsibility to make your own travel arrangements. Travel costs (including a passport and visa), personal spending money, personal travel, and textbook costs are also your responsibility.
At your host institution abroad, you will be attending classes and living the life of a typical local student. You will receive equivalent benefits to those that local students receive, and not identical benefits to those you leave behind at Northwestern, though you are paying Northwestern tuition and fees as usual. Moreover, because higher education is funded differently throughout the world, your exchange benefits will almost certainly not be of an exact monetary equivalent to the benefits you pay for at Northwestern. Please keep in mind that the students coming to Northwestern through ISEP are paying tuition and fees at their own institutions as well under this same arrangement.
Foreign language requirements vary. In most cases, if you study in a non-English speaking country, your coursework will be in the native language. In some cases, however, you will have the opportunity to study in English in a non-English speaking country (the Netherlands or Sweden, for example).
If you will be taking courses in a foreign language, you will need to have completed a least one 2000-level language course or have the equivalent proficiency before you go. Some programs, which require study in a foreign language during the academic year, offer intensive language programs prior to the start of the semester.
One of your best resources will be the ISEP Web site (www.isep.org): The site affords you an opportunity to research all of the ISEP universities.
Visit the ISEP Web site to download application materials for exchange or direct placements, or summer placements. Extra copies of the required Course Request List and Academic Reference Form are available as well. Adobe Reader is required for these downloads. Download it free!
Components of the application include an Application Checklist, official transcripts, the appropriate application/placement fee, an original and a photocopy of the completed Participant Profile, Host Site Request List, Language Proficiency Report, Educational History Form, Personal Statement, two academic references, Course Request Lists for each institution selected, and two photocopies of your passport or the application. BE SURE TO APPLY FOR YOUR PASSPORT QUICKLY and request EXPEDITED.
MOST IMPORTANT: Check the ISEP Web site to assure that your selected sites are available before applying!
Deadlines for Spring Semester Placements: Priority placement will be given to applications which are submitted to the Graduate School (101 Roy Hall) by August 20. Applications will still be considered on a rolling basis for universities that were not full after the August placement round.
Deadlines for Fall Semester Placements: Priority placement will be given to applications which are submitted to the Graduate School (101 Roy Hall) by January 20. Applications will still be considered on a rolling basis for universities that were not full after the January placement round.
For More Information
For more information about ISEP, contact Dr. Steve Horton, Associate Provost and Dean of the Graduate School at (318) 357-5851. His email is Hortons@nsula.edu.