As an exchange program, the International Student Exchange Program (ISEP) is one of the most affordable study abroad choices for KU students. ISEP offers a wide selection of sites for the cost of attendance (tuition, room and board) at KU, making it an excellent value and good option for independent-minded KU students.
KU students, through the ISEP network, currently have access to over 300 higher education institutions in 50 countries worldwide. Because there are so many sites to choose from, ISEP allows for study in almost any discipline, including technical fields. Fields of study such as international business, economics, engineering, architecture, the humanities, natural and social sciences, communications, fine arts, journalism, education, exercise and sports sciences and languages are available at locations throughout the world. Study at the graduate level is also available at most institutions.
ISEP is a total immersion program. In most cases, ISEP participants register as a regular student at the host institution, take the same courses and have the same assignments, and participate in the same activities as the local students at that institution. This means that a student applying for an ISEP site must be more proactive and prepared to handle being in a location where they may be the only KU student in the program.
Generally, the language of instruction is the language of the host country, although there are many sites in countries whose primary language is not English which offer university-level courses in English.
In addition to ISEP exchange sites, ISEP also offers some sites for direct enrollment at the cost of the foreign institution. ISEP-Direct programs cost varies substantially by site and compared to the exchange cost (which is based upon the cost of attendance at KU), ISEP-Direct can cheaper or more expensive. However, ISEP-Direct sites tend to be less competitive, so if a student meets the eligibility requirements, they will have no trouble getting placed at the site of their choice.
Students interested in exploring ISEP sites are encouraged to visit the ISEP website online at www.isep.org to review site options and availability and then meet with the coordinator for the region in which you wish to study BEFORE meeting with the ISEP coordinator.
Accommodations
Generally, accommodations are provided in student housing and students receive a stipend for meals. Homestays and/or apartments may be options at some sites.
Dates
Vary depending on site.
Spring placements are the best option for students interested in a semester only.
Fall placements are limited as many programs do not end by January 1.
Deadlines
Most ISEP sites have a deadline of February 1 for the fall, full year, and summer sites and September 1 for spring sites. However, many sites have extended deadlines allowing for a student to apply after these dates. Please check the sites online individually to determine when your application will be due, and work individually with the ISEP coordinator at KU to submit your application to KU a few days prior to the ISEP deadline listed.
Eligibility
KU students with a minimum 2.75 GPA but eligibility also varies by site. Please check the sites you are interested in to determine if you meet the eligibility requirements for that site.
Funding your Study Abroad Program
ISEP-Exchange is one of the most affordable study abroad choices for KU students, as KU students pay in-state KU tuition, room and board. ISEP-Direct is less competitive, so if a student meets the eligibility requirements, they will likely have no trouble getting placed at the site of their choice. However, ISEP-Direct program costs vary substantially by site and can either be cheaper or more expensive than ISEP-Exchange. The total cost to a KU student will include both the ISEP-Direct fees listed on the ISEP site as well as a KU ISEP fee.
KU Study Abroad can do personalized financial aid and scholarship advising for students. Please visit 108 Lippincott Hall or call 785-864-3742 to set up an appointment. KU students who qualify for financial aid in the form of Stafford and/or other loans, Federal Grants, and KU or outside scholarships may apply the aid to the cost of a study abroad program.
KU Study Abroad supplemental scholarships are available to KU degree seeking students. Applications are available online. The scholarship application deadline is March 1 for Summer, March 15th for Fall and Academic Year programs and October 1 for Spring, Winter Break and Spring Break programs.
For additional scholarship opportunities visit: www.studyabroad.ku.edu/other-scholarship-opportunities
The Andrew P. Debicki International Student Exchange Program (ISEP) Study Abroad Scholarship Fund created with generous support of Mary-Elizabeth Debicki Guinness, former Director of the KU Office of Study Abroad and former wife of Andrew Debicki, provides awards up to $2,000 for students on ISEP-Exchange programs. To apply for this scholarship, complete the KU Study Abroad & Global Engagement Scholarships application online.
Additional ISEP scholarships are available through ISEP directly. Visit the Student section of the ISEP website for further information and application instructions.
Application Procedures
All applicants will be required to complete several documents for each study abroad application. Below is a list of the typical documents that will need to be completed for an application. Please note that requirements will vary by program.
a. Official Transcript
b. Authorization to Release Student Information
c. Any additional forms required by the specific program
For more detailed information about the application process, please visit our Application Process page.
