For over 45 years, ISEP Study Abroad has cultivated a vibrant international community that thrives on the diversity of our programs, participants, and opportunities.
Our partners find working with ISEP to be impactful and valuable for their campuses. Our partners report high levels of satisfaction with our staff, our support, our resources, and our program options; in fact, in our 2024 survey,** 95% of ISEP Affiliates indicated that ISEP’s programs fit the needs of their students**.
As an ISEP Affiliate, your institution and your students receive the following benefits:
Collaborative Partnership in Your Internationalization Goals
Our team excels at assisting universities and their students in identifying the most suitable programs to meet their needs. We’ll work with you to identify programs that best meet the needs of your institution, and we can customize marketing materials and our ISEP Program Finder to feature the options you choose. We offer customized trainings for your staff, in-person or virtual student advising, application and visa workshops, presentations and meetings for faculty and staff, and student organization visits.
Authentic, Culturally-Relevant Programs
ISEP offers authentic experiences rooted in our community, built on decades of experience facilitating multilateral exchange across the world. Our local partners’ cultural expertise guides our program design, resulting in culturally relevant and culturally conscious offerings with industry-leading expectations of quality and support at more than 50 ISEP Direct host institutions in over 25 countries.
High-Quality Academic Experiences
Taught by esteemed faculty at our partner universities, our programs offer a diverse and comprehensive range of coursework across nearly every field of study. ISEP students are not limited by their field of study because placements are available in virtually all academic disciplines. Our team provides expert advising on programs with a focus on curriculum integration and facilitates the transfer of academic information and transcripts between host universities, home universities, and students.
Inclusive, Student-Centered Approach
As a non-profit organization, we are dedicated to breaking down barriers associated with studying abroad to make cross-cultural education accessible to everyone. In fact, 50% of ISEP students identify as under-represented in study abroad. We understand that studying abroad is not one size fits all and that someone’s identity may impact their unique set of program criteria. Our Student Services Officers will help students navigate what program(s) best meet their personal, academic, and cultural international education goals.
Student Scholarships and Cost-Effective Programs
Students at ISEP Affiliates are eligible to apply for all ISEP Scholarships. We also offer payment plans and financial aid deferral for eligible students. Our affordable model takes the guesswork out of what a student will actually pay; our goal is to deliver a high-quality experience at the lowest price possible. More than half of ISEP Direct semester programs cost $15,000 or less, including housing, similar to the average in-state cost of attendance at a public university.
Emergency Preparedness and Response
Student health and safety is our number one priority. As the world faces increased instability, we know how important it is to be prepared in case of an emergency. All ISEP students enroll in our ISEP Health & Safety Program, which includes 24/7 emergency response, health insurance, emergency assistance, and remote mental health services. ISEP staff live and work around the world, and our global team carefully monitors and responds to any issues that arise. If a student experiences an emergency abroad, our staff will coordinate with our insurance provider, the student’s home institution, family members, and the local staff to ensure students receive the care they need.
On-site support for students
We hold our global partners to high standards. In Seoul, Barcelona, and Ghana, on-site ISEP staff support students with emergency assistance, housing, course enrollment, and cultural activities. At other locations, host institution coordinators lead orientation, assist with housing, handle registration, and organize cultural activities to help students integrate.
Because we work directly with partner institutions, their on-site staff shape programs that reflect local culture and values. This collaboration ensures ISEP students are well-supported, integrated into campus life, and able to access campus services quickly and effectively.
Professional Development
Faculty and staff at ISEP institutions gain free access to trainings, webinars, and workshops, strengthening their international expertise. Many of our professional development opportunities are held virtually, so there is no need to invest additional resources for travel.
Networking
Throughout the year, the ISEP Community gathers in person or online for social and learning events. Frequently held during major international education conferences, gathering together deepens our collaboration and fosters greater understanding within the ISEP community.
School of Record Relationship
ISEP partners with the University of Minnesota (UMN) to offer transcript evaluation services and to issue academic credit for ISEP Direct programs. UMN has been accredited continuously since 1913 by the Higher Learning Commission and is a highly ranked public research institution that offers 150 undergraduate majors and 130 research-based graduate programs in the humanities, law, agriculture, engineering medicine, art, and science. UMN has extensive experience providing grade conversions for international grading scales.
Complimentary Access to the ISEP COIL Academy
Faculty at ISEP institutions can apply to participate in the ISEP COIL Academy offered twice per year. The ISEP COIL Academy is an exclusive program for the ISEP Community that provides structured mentoring and best practices provided by Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) and virtual exchange experts. Working within a small cohort of ISEP Academy fellows, selected faculty will be matched with collaborators and mentored through the process of co-designing or enhancing a COIL-inspired course.
Additionally, the Academy offers opportunities for professional development, networking, and expansion of research partnerships and international engagement. It also offers information on software platforms that can provide a space for faculty to create and host virtual courses, allowing students to gain a diverse educational experience and achieve a global perspective while working towards their degree or certificate.
Faculty at ISEP institutions receive complimentary access to the ISEP COIL Academy and the benefits it provides. Learn more.
Discounted Membership and Exclusive Events with The Forum on Education Abroad
To provide increased value for our community, ISEP has partnered with The Forum on Education Abroad (the Forum), a non-profit association for education abroad professionals. It offers resources, trainings, workshops, conferences, networking, credentials, and certification for the field. ISEP members who are new to the Forum can receive a discount on their first year of Forum membership. Additional discounts are available for conference attendance, sponsorships, exhibitors, and events exclusive to the ISEP community. Please speak to your University Relations Manager for more information.