International Student Exchange Program

International Student Exchange Program (ISEP) is a worldwide network for international education, consisiting of 275 member institutions in the United States and more than 35 other countries. Since 1979, ISEP has made it possible for more than 28,000 students to study in another country. ISEP is a non-profit organization governed by a Board of Directors, supported by member fees and fees for service, and administered by a central office in Washington, D.C. and by the designated coordinator at each member institution. ISEP members are institutions of higher education that are regionally accredited (U.S institutions) or recognized by their government or ministry of education (non-U.S. institutions).

SIUE student Emily Ligon studied at Stellenbosch University in South Africa in Spring 2005 through an ISEP Placement. Read Emily's story here

Through SIU's ISEP membership, students have access to over 120 study sites in Africa, Asia, Canada, Europe, Latin America, and the South Pacific for a full academic year, a semester, or, in some cases, a summer program. SIUE students should contact the ISEP coordinator at SIUE (jbeall@siue.edu) if interested in a nomination for an ISEP placement. ISEP participants register as regular students and participate in the same activities as students at the host institution. Except for language and civilization courses designed for international students, the courses that ISEP participants take are the same as those attended by local students.

ISEP Exchange Program

Reciprocal exchanges between institutions in the United States and 35 other countries are ISEP's core activity. Member institutions nominate participants for the program. The ISEP staff, who have expertise in the academic systems of participating countries, match the qualifications and site preferences of nominees with available openings at each institution. The minimum GPA requirement for nomination for an ISEP exchange placement is 3.0

ISEP exchanges are based on the reciprocal exchange of benefits. Each member determines the ISEP program fee, based on the usual fees and living expenses at that insititution, which it charges its outgoing participants. The program fee creates a "place" and a set of benefits for an incoming student while the outgoing student takes up a place at an institution in another country created by an outgoing ISEP participant. In 2009-2010 the semester cost for tuition, room and board for an SIUE student to participate in an ISEP exchange program is $6,543. For more information visit http://www.isep.org/students/Programs/isep_exchange.asp

ISEP Direct Programs

ISEP-Direct provides access to affordable fee-paid programs in several countries. ISEP-Direct participants pay a fee, which is based on the actual cost of operating the program at the host university, directly to ISEP. ISEP-Direct sites are marked within the online membership directory. At most sites, there is no limit on the number of ISEP-Direct participants that can be accommodated, so the chance of placement for qualified students is usually good. The minimum GPA requirement to apply for an ISEP Direct placement is 2.75. For more information visit http://www.isep.org/students/Programs/isep_direct.asp

ISEP Summer Programs

ISEP Summer Programs are offered at select ISEP institutions. For more information see http://www.isep.org/students/Programs/summer_programs.asp

ISEP Application Process

For information on how to apply for ISEP placement, visit http://www.isep.org/students/Apply/how_to_apply.html

ISEP Application Deadline

For Spring Semester Applications - August 15
For Fall Semester Applications - January 15

SIUE undergradate degree seeking students interested in an ISEP exchange or ISEP direct program should contact the SIUE ISEP Coordinator, Julie Beall-Marshall, at 650-2419 or by e-mail at jbeall@siue.edu at least 3 months prior to the application deadline.