Exchange Programs
International Student Exchange Program (ISEP)
The International Student Exchange Program is a worldwide network of 300 universities in 50 countries offering a full immersion study abroad experience. Students enroll directly in a foreign university and can take classes in English, or advanced foreign language speakers can take classes in the host country language alongside local students. Students select courses based on their academic program and will have all courses pre-approved before departure to ensure the transfer of credit.
Students selected for an ISEP-Exchange program will pay for Westminster tuition and fees, single apartment-style room, Gold meal plan, optional tuition insurance, and a $300 Westminster study abroad fee. Students will be billed for ISEP-Exchange fees through their Westminster tuition account. In addition, students pay an application fee and a placement fee directly to ISEP. Students are also required to purchase a monthly international health insurance policy and are responsible for airfare, passport, visa fees, and additional travel and living expenses. ISEP’s budget calculator is a useful tool to determine the actual cost of an ISEP program.
Students interested in ISEP programs are encouraged to carefully read the information provided on the ISEP website under “How It Works.” Students must consider various criteria when narrowing down programs, including academic requirements, language level, location, dates, and the chance of placement. Some universities have less space available than others (typically western Europe and the Pacific), so students should check the chance of placement under the “Semester and Price” section of each university’s information. Students are eligible to apply to up to 10 universities with a single application and fee, so students are more likely to be accepted to a university on exchange.
ISEP also offers an option called ISEP-Direct. Universities that offer an ISEP-Direct option have established a program cost based on their institution's tuition, not based on Westminster tuition, room, and meals. Students will pay the ISEP-Direct cost to ISEP. Some universities will include tuition, housing, and meals in the ISEP-Direct cost while others may only include tuition or tuition and housing. Additionally, students pay an application fee and a program deposit directly to ISEP, which goes towards the total price of the program. Students are also required to purchase international health insurance and are responsible for airfare, visa fees, and additional travel and personal expenses. For some locations, ISEP-Direct can be a low-cost option. For other locations, ISEP-Direct may be more expensive than ISEP-Exchange.
Unlike ISEP-Exchange, ISEP-Direct is not competitive because reciprocity is not required. There is an excellent chance of placement for qualified applicants.
ISEP-Exchange Programs
Students participating in an ISEP-Exchange program can use federal financial aid and Westminster scholarships because tuition, room, and meals are equivalent to Westminster costs and billed through their tuition account.
ISEP-Direct Programs
Students participating in an ISEP-Direct program can use federal financial aid but cannot use Westminster scholarships because the program cost is based on the host institution's tuition and is paid directly to ISEP.
Tuition Remission and Exchange
Tuition remission and tuition exchange can only be used on ISEP-Exchange programs for a maximum of one semester (fall or spring).
Additional Scholarships
Students can also apply for additional scholarships.
- Email the Office for Global Engagement at global@westminsteru.edu or book an appointment.
- Review the How to Apply information on the ISEP website.
- Complete the study abroad credit transfer form once you have been placed at a university.
Application Deadlines
- Fall Semester: March 1
- Spring Semester: September 15