Study Abroad

ISEP
International Student Exchange Program

Fall/Academic Year Application Deadline: January 15
Spring Application Deadline: August 15
Summer Application Deadline: February 1

ISEP is a membership organization of more than 200 higher education institutions around the world offering a total immersion experience. ISEP is based on a reciprocal exchange of benefits, which means the program fee is the cost of hosting an international student attending UW-L no matter where you go on the ISEP Reciprocal Exchange.

• ISEP offers non-traditional sites including Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, Latin America, and the South Pacific.

• Programs are available in almost any field at the undergraduate level, and in some graduate areas.

• Many member institutions offer courses taught in English even in places where English is not the language of the host country, such as Sweden, Finland, the Netherlands, Korea, and Thailand.

ISEP-Direct is a fee-paying option for institutions offering special programs just for exchange students or at member organization interested in hosting more students than they send on the reciprocal exchange. A list of ISEP-Direct sites and fees is available on the ISEP website.

ACADEMIC PROGRAM
ISEP is a total immersion program. In most cases, ISEP participants register as regular students at the host institution, take the same courses, and have the same assignments as local students. You can earn credit toward your degree and fulfill major or minor requirements. Provided you meet the language requirements, you can take courses taught in a foreign language. Most institutions offer language courses before the exchange or during the academic year to help you strengthen your language skills.

A searchable database on the ISEP website allows you to select institutions based on your desired field of study and language of instruction. The ISEP website also links to the homepages of member institutions for more detailed course information. In addition, the Office of International Education maintains a resource area of catalogs and view books received from ISEP members.

A Modern Languages Advisor for ISEP programs has been identified:

Program	Advisor	Office	Email
ISEP Programs	Socha	315A GMH	socha.dona@uwlax.edu

COURSE EQUIVALENCIES
The course equivalencies spreadsheets have been compiled from past approved Academic Plan forms.  They show when the course was last approved and how it transferred back to La Crosse.  You may notice that some classes satisfied several UWL options.

This list is not comprehensive nor does it take the place of  meeting with your advisor for final approval!  They are meant to be a guide of what courses may be appropriate for your studies abroad.

HOUSING AND MEALS
Because ISEP is a reciprocal exchange, housing and a meal plan or meal stipend (equal to 19 meals per week) are provided to incoming exchange students. The unique and varied structure of each member institution determines the type of housing or meal arrangement. Information is provided in each member profile on the ISEP website.

PASSPORTS & VISAS
Before you travel abroad, you will need to obtain a passport, which will serve as proof of your U.S. citizenship. A passport may allow you to gain entry to (and exit from) other countries. Depending on the country to which you're traveling, a visa may be required as well. Entry requirements vary from one country to another. The U.S. State Department issues travel warnings specific to certain countries, and offers tips and publications relevant to travel abroad generally. Well in advance of your departure, you should also familiarize yourself with international travel health issues, and health recommendations specific to your destination.

PROGRAM DATES
Varies by member universities

ADMISSION CRITERIA
2.75 GPA minimum, 3.0+ GPA preferred
Second-semester sophomore standing (45 credits minimum), Junior standing preferred
4 semesters college-level foreign language for non-English instruction sites
Open to students from other universities

PROGRAM FEE
The program fee includes the following: (UW participants add an administrative fee)

• Tuition (12-15 credits) and Administrative Fees
• Housing
• Meal Plan or Stipend

The UW-L Administrative Fee includes the following:

• Pre-payment of program fees on your behalf
• Preparation of Financial Aid budgets
• Orientation to Study Abroad Class
• Registration while abroad in INS 300: Foreign Study to maintain your registration at UW-L
• Transfer of Credit Processing
• Study Abroad Health Insurance (required by UW System)
• International Student Identity Card (ISIC)
• Study Abroad Graduation Sash

Financial Aid is applicable to program fees

Refer to Program Fees for the most current program fee

Other costs not included in program fee:

• ISEP Placement Fee ($300 for reciprocal exchanges; $50 for ISEP-Direct)
• ISEP Health and Accident Insurance (required)
• Airfare

ISEP-Direct Fees are posted on the ISEP website.

AVAILABLE SCHOLARSHIPS
ISEP is pleased to announce that we have been awarded another grant funded by the New York Community Trust—Annette-Kade Fund and will be awarding scholarships to U.S. ISEP participants studying in France and Germany for the 2007-08 academic year.  Nominations will be accepted through April 13, 2007.  For additional information and application instructions, please see: http://www.isep.org/students/Programs/financial_aid_scholarships.asp.

FOR MORE INFORMATION
http://www.isep.org
Tips and Advice from Program Alumni

 

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Office of International Education
116 Graff Main Hall
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
1725 State Street
La Crosse, WI 54601 USA

Telephone: 608-785-8016

Fax: 608-785-8923

E-Mail: studyabroad@uwlax.edu

Copyright 2008
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
1725 State St. La Crosse, WI 54601
(608) 785-8000