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Create an account & application.
Sign up to create an ISEP account so you can access all that ISEP has to offer. Once you have an account, you can create or request to begin an application. Also feel free to browse through the ISEP website to gain a better understanding of what the ISEP experience looks and feels like.
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Visit your study abroad office.
Your ISEP Coordinator can help you learn more about studying abroad. You may need to complete certain steps, including a preliminary application or nomination process, to be eligible to study abroad through your university. You can find your ISEP Coordinator’s contact information under the Your Contacts section of your ISEP account.
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Choose ISEP Exchange or ISEP Direct.
ISEP offers two main types of academic programs – ISEP Exchange and ISEP Direct. Financial, location and academic considerations may mean that one program type makes more sense for you than the other. We also offer full-time internship programs abroad.
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Find your top programs.
Use our Program Finder to view available programs and narrow down your options based on factors that matter for you. Save the programs you like, then add your top choices to your application’s Program List. Not sure where to start? Check out our guide to finding the right program or reach out to us!
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Research courses and credit transfer.
Talk with an academic advisor at your home university about the types of courses you need to take while abroad and how your credits will transfer. Then, check out the ISEP program pages and course catalogs for more information about the academic offerings at each program on your list. In the Academics section of the ISEP application, you will tell us what subject(s) you want to study at each host university, so we can make sure that your program placement is a good academic fit. After returning home, you will receive a transcript, which your home university will use to transfer your courses and credits taken abroad. If your home institution requires a U.S. Transcript, ISEP has a School of Record partnership with the University of Minnesota. To learn more, please review the School of Record Frequently Asked Questions.
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Gather your application documents.
ISEP requires an official transcript and an academic reference from a faculty member at your home university. If you are applying to study in another language, you will need to submit an ISEP language evaluation or language exam scores, like the TOEFL or IELTS. If you already have a valid passport, upload a copy to the Biography section – if you do not have a passport or your passport is expiring, make sure to apply for one as soon as possible.
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Check your eligibility.
Each ISEP Member University sets their own admissions requirements and may have minimum grade averages or language levels that applicants must meet. You can find academic requirements on each of the program pages, and the Eligibility section of the ISEP application will make sure that you are eligible to apply for the programs you have selected. If you do not meet a program’s minimum requirements, you will need to remove it from your application.
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Let us know how we can support you.
If you have any special needs, medical conditions or have questions about diversity and inclusion while abroad, it is important to discuss these concerns with your ISEP Student Advisor during the application process. We will work with you to find programs that meet your needs, to help ensure a successful experience abroad.
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Create a budget.
It’s never too early to start planning your finances for study abroad. If you’re an ISEP Exchange student, you will pay your home university’s tuition, housing and meal fees, and an additional fee for required ISEP insurance. If you’re an ISEP Direct student, your program fee will include tuition and insurance, and may also include housing and meals. Don’t forget to budget for airfare, visa fees, school supplies, local transportation and personal expenses. To help fund your experience abroad, talk with your study abroad and financial aid offices, and also check out ISEP Scholarships.
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Submit your application!
Make sure to submit your application by the deadline listed on the program page. For ISEP Exchange applicants, our priority deadlines are September 15 and March 1. Remember that your home university may have earlier internal deadlines, and your home ISEP Coordinator also needs to review and approve your application before it can be submitted to ISEP. Wondering what happens after you submit your application? Check out our placement process.
Need more help? Check out our Application FAQ or contact your ISEP Student Advisor!