International Student Exchange Program

The International Student Exchange Program (ISEP) is a consortium of over 200 universities in 34 different countries at which Iowa State University (ISU) students can study for a semester or an academic year. The Study Abroad Center is the administrative office on campus that coordinates these exchanges and where questions concerning the exchange program should be directed. Detailed information on all ISEP sites, and assistance in identifying schools that best meet the academic and personal needs of students, are available at the Study Abroad Center.

The exchange program

For every ISU student participating in the exchange program, an international student from one of the ISEP institutions abroad comes to ISU. The program length is usually one academic year; ISU students pay fees based on one year's tuition, room and board, holiday allowance, and student activity fees. The cost of an academic year is therefore based on what students would expect to pay if they remained here on campus. Students earn full academic credit on the exchange program while still remaining eligible for financial aid. Learn more about financing your trip.

Application and selection

Applicants must normally be full-time students at ISU, have completed one year of study at ISU prior to the year abroad, have received departmental approval for participation, and have an overall 3.00 GPA. The application deadline is December 1 for the following academic year.

Both the ISU study abroad application (.doc) and ISEP application are required. Application forms and further information about specific exchange sites can be obtained from the Study Abroad Center.

Language requirements

Unless otherwise stated, the language of instruction will be in the official language of the host country. Consequently, students will need a fluency equivalent to intermediate college level instruction in the appropriate language prior to the beginning of the exchange year. Opportunities exist to study in Chinese, Dutch, Estonian, Filipino, Finnish, French, German, Hungarian, Icelandic, Italian, Korean, Latvian, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Swedish and Thai.

Why ISU-ISEP?

  • Earn college credit.
  • Have the time of your life.
  • Become fluent in a second language.
  • Remain eligible for financial aid.
  • Learn about another culture, its traditions and values, through living it.
  • Develop a broader perspective on the USA.
  • Visit places and do things that you have only dreamed about.
  • Develop a new perspective on your major.
  • Select from over one hundred universities in over thirty different countries.
  • Develop your self-confidence.
  • Pay tuition, room, and board at ISU.
  • Become globally educated.
  • Make friends around the world.

For more information

Please contact:

Jane Edwards
3224 Memorial Union
Ames, IA 50011-1133
(515) 294-6792
jedwards@iastate.edu