International Student Exchange Program (ISEP)

What is ISEP?

ISEP stands for International Student Exchange Program, the largest student exchange organization in the world. WSU students can choose from over 100 international sites for a semester or academic year abroad. There are even summer programs in some countries.

Is it expensive?

A semester abroad is just slightly higher than what you would pay for in-state tuition at WSU, the cost of living in Fairmount Towers and a 19-week meal plan. Current costs are approximately $5,000 per semester, which will give you full tuition benefits, housing and a stipend for meals at the university you choose. If you're receiving federal, state and most other forms of financial aid, you can even apply it toward the cost. WSU even offers special study abroad scholarships.

Are there any hidden costs?

You would have to pay for flights, health insurance, books and personal expenses while abroad.

Do I have to speak another language fluently?

There are 17 countries where ISEP students can take all of their classes taught in English, so another language is not required. If you do know another language well enough to do academic work, you can select from additional universities.

Can I earn credit?

Your ISEP contact at WSU can help you choose a school that offers courses in your field of study. Careful planning with your academic advisor can make a semester or year with ISEP fit into your plan of study.

When is the best time to go?

To graduate from WSU, 24 of the last 30 hours toward your degree must be earned on campus. For this reason, studying abroad during your sophomore or junior year is a good idea. If you are participating in ISEP or another WSU reciprocal exchange program you can apply for an exception to the 24/30 rule. Therefore, it may be possibile for you to participate in study abroad during your senior year.

Can I use my financial aid?

You can use all federal and state aid toward studying abroad. Scholarships from academic departments must be approved for use in a study abroad program.

Are there scholarships?

WSU offers a study abroad scholarship and there are ISEP scholarships for several sites as well. Click here for additional study abroad scholarship resources: http://www.isep.org

When are the deadlines?

While ISEP has deadlines for receiving applications, they will continue to accept participants as long as there is space available and time to get visas. However, some of the sites are highly competetive, so if completed application packs are not received by the deadlines, there is no possibility of being chosen for the most popular sites. (Some examples would be schools in the U.K., Malta, Fiji, and Ghana.)

Therefore, if you would like to improve your chances of beinig selected for the sites you want, you should submit your completed application to WSU's Study Abroad Office by the following schedule: