Because it’s a great time to spread your wings!   Your college years offer a magnitude of opportunities to learn, grow, try new things, meet interesting people, and gain a new understanding of your self and the world.  It becomes increasingly difficult to find reasons not to embark on a life changing adventure such as exchange or study abroad.  The benefits range from increasing your knowledge of the world to gaining personal strength, courage and self-esteem.

1. Personal growth: Studying abroad or going on an exchange will push you out of your comfort zone. Everyday challenges will help you to become a more rounded individual.
2. Increase your marketability and value as an employee: Employers view students who have studied away as more responsible, independent and respectful of other points of view.  Also, those with experience abroad are considered better candidates for leadership positions. 
3. Develop a foreign language: The ability to speak another foreign language is a huge bonus in our ever-changing international world market.
4. Find international employment: Obviously living outside of your home country opens the door to a multitude of new connects and possibilities such as teaching overseas, finding work with an American based company, or a non-profit relief organization.
5. Meet extraordinary people: As you engage in friendships, your values and beliefs may change and broaden. New situations with new people will allow you to question your own thoughts and norms.

UAS is a member of the National Student Exchange Program (NSE), the International Student Exchange Program (ISEP), and AHA International - Northwest Council on Study Abroad (NCSA). UAS also has affiliations with AustraLearn/AsiaLearn/EuroLearn and the Institute for Study Abroad - Butler University (IFSA-Butler) .

UAS students also have access to a number of other study abroad programs through UAF and UAA.

Exchange programs involve an actual exchange of students. In other words, one student from UAS studies elsewhere while another student from somewhere else takes the place of the UAS student (temporarily, of course). Study abroad programs host UAS students at other universities around the world.

Yes, grades and credits will be posted to your UAS transcript once you complete your program.  Grades and credits will be calculated into your GPA as well.  An official transcript must be received by the UAS Academic Exchange office upon completion.

The National Student Exchange(NSE) program, a domestic parallel to an international exchange program, is the only comprehensive, university-level student exchange program in the United States. NSE sites reflect a diverse group of nearly 180 colleges and universities in 49 states, the District of Columbia, and 3 U.S. Territories. Students may study for up to one year while paying in-state tuition and fees at either their home or the host campus. Credits earned are applied to the students UAS degree. Applications are due early February for the following academic year.

The International Student Exchange Program(ISEP) is organized much the same as NSE, although students study in another country. There are over 100 international colleges and universities participating. At some universities, students study in the language of the country. At many others, students are able to take classes in English, with the option of studying the native language of the host country.

ISEP offers a one-to-one student exchange program and a directed study abroad program. With either option, credits are transferred back to the students UAS degree. ISEP is affordable, and has facilitated thousands of successful exchanges since 1979. Applications are taken throughout the year and can be found online by clicking on our Applications link for more details.

AHA International -Northwest Council on Study Abroad(NCSA) is a group of universities in the Northwest that has joined together through AHA-International to provide study abroad opportunities to their students. The programs are primarily semester-based and most are in Europe. Some are intensive language programs; all offer a variety of courses taught by both faculty from member institutions and faculty from the host country. Courses taken abroad are easily incorporated into the majority of UAS degrees, although the most appropriate degrees for this option are the A.A. and B.L.A. Internships are also available through some of the NCSA programs.

AustraLearn/AsiaLearn/EuroLearn, assists students in with study abroad options in Australia and New Zealand; China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, and South Korea; and various locations in Europe.

Through AustraLearn students may study abroad for a semester or year at one of 26 major universities, participate in a specialty program, or complete a high quality internship. AustraLearn is the only non-profit specialist to offer students such an extensive range of program choices, unique on-site Program Introductions, pre-trip customer service coordination teams, on-site Resident Directors in both Australia and New Zealand, and complete scholarship and financial aid assistance.

AsiaLearn,one of two AustraLearn sister programs, brings study abroad options in Asia within reach for students in all academic areas.  No language requirements are needed, however cultural integration is the heart of AsiaLearn's philosophy.  Before departure, the program supplies students with country and cultural information, pre-departure information, survival language instruction, as well as an on-site extensive orientation program.  Post experience programming has also been designed to help students reflect on their experience and apply this knowledge to their personal and professional pursuits.

EuroLearn, the second sister program of AustraLearn, brings many of the top notch research universities within Europe to the forefront.  A specialty program, EuroScholars, allows students to study only one subject and do research with a professor on site.

Institute for Study Abroad - Butler University(IFSA-Butler) is a nonprofit organization founded at Butler University in 1988. Their primary goal is to provide quality overseas study opportunities, plus academic and personal support services, for qualified North American undergraduates seeking to earn academic credit through study abroad. IFSA-Butler is organized to assist students from the time they apply until after they return. IFSA-Butler staff is accomplished in preparing students for the academic and cultural changes that await them, and provide on-site support to help students make the most of their study abroad experiences.

For the NSE program, students pay UAS for the cost of 12 credits and fees, or in-state tuition and fees at the host campus. Students are responsible for housing, meals, books, and all other personal expenses at the host university, if paying the host tuition.

ISEP (exchange) has a flat program fee of $6,000 that is charged per semester. The fee is comparable to the cost of 15 upper division credits plus fees, and room and board at UAS. Students cover the cost of transportation to the host university and all personal expenses while on exchange. They are also required to purchase insurance through ISEP which is roughly $50/month.

The ISEP-Direct program fees are set by the host institution and can range from roughly US $7,000 to $12,000 per semester.

AHA - International (NCSA) fees are set per program and range from $6,500 to $13,000 per term. Program fees normally include tuition, room and board, excursions, all course material, and insurance. Students are responsible for transportation to the program site and all other personal expenses.

AustraLearn/AsiaLearn/EuroLearn offers programs that are extremely affordable options for studying in Australia/New Zealand; China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore; and South Korea.  The estimated cost for a semester study abroad program can range from US$7,000 to $12,000 including tuition, fees, health coverage, housing, meals and special pre-trip orientation excursion, depending on your chosen program option. Scholarships are available.

IFSA-Butler fees are set on a per semester basis ranging from US$7000-$12,000.

YES. Application and/or administrative fees are required for all programs.

NSE - non-refundable $165 application fee, payable to UAS.

ISEP exchange - $315 application fee payable to ISEP.

ISEP-Direct - non-refundable $60 application fee payable to ISEP plus a non-refundable $50 administrative program fee payable to UAS. Total $110.

AHA -International (NCSA) - non-refundable $50 application fee payable to NCSA plus a non-refundable $50 administrative program fee payable to UAS. Total $100. NCSA also requires a $200 refundable deposit due at the time of application.

AustraLearn/AsiaLearn/EuroLearn - $30 non-refundable application fee payable to AustraLearn plus a non-refundable $50 administrative program fee payable to UAS. Total $80.

IFSA-Butler - $40 non refundable application fee via credit card on their secure server is required for all online applications. If you prefer to pay the $40 application fee with a check or money order, please download a PDF application. A non-refundable $50 administrative program fee payable to UAS is also required. Total $90.

YES. When participating in any of these programs, students are still enrolled at UAS as UAS students. All financial aid, loans and scholarships, apply to the costs of these programs. There are a few exceptions for NCSA and other exchange/study abroad options regarding tuition waivers and some scholarships: see the Financial Aid office for details.

The NSE program requires a minimum GPA of 2.5. 

International elibility is 2.75.  Some international programs require a higher a 3.0 GPA.

Students must be admitted into a UAS degree program and be a full-time student in good standing. Some NCSA programs are open to second semester freshman, but most programs require that a student be a sophomore or higher while on exchange. There are a few opportunities available to graduate students.

YES. Application deadlines vary for each program. Please be sure to research the deadlines for each program you are interested in. It is a great disappointment to realize you've missed an opportunity because of a late application. Some programs do have an open entry, and qualified applicants can be placed any time during the year as long as space is available.

ISEP's priority placement round for exchanges happens February 1, so applications are due mid-Januaryto the UAS Academic Exchange office. Additional applications are accepted throughout the year based on site availability.

NSE priority placements are made in mid-March at the annual conference hence requiring applications to be due mid-February in the Academic Exchange office.  Post-conference placements are possible yet many schools have limited options after the priority placements.

AHA-International NCSA, AustraLearn/AsiaLearn/EuroLearn, and IFSA-Butler have deadline dates on their respected web sites, and accept applications throughout the academic year.

First, complete the Mandatory UAS Preliminary Application on-line, then begin your research. The Academic Exchange and Study Abroad Coordinator is your contact for all programs. You will need to set up an appointment and bring a copy of your application and other required paperwork to this meeting. Once the application is reviewed for eligibility, the applicant has a personal interview with the UAS Academic Exchange and Study Abroad Coordinator, as appropriate to the specific program. If approved, the application is then submitted.

YES. To apply for any of the programs there is a process to go through. The process varies slightly with each program but each program has similar components. The components consist of six items:

1. A program application
2. A statement of purpose (why you are interested in an exchange or study abroad experience)
3. Faculty reference(s)
4. Transcript (some require official, for others a copy is fine)
5. Application and administrative fees
6. A meeting with the Academic Exchange and Study Abroad coordinator BEFORE sending the application

Once the application is submitted, actual placement at the host university varies by program. NSE, ISEP and AustraLearn/AsiaLearn/EuroLearn require the student to rank order choices to allow for flexibility in placement; NCSA and IFSA-Butler applications are site specific.

When a student is placed, they receive additional material from the sponsoring organization and the host program coordinator. Paperwork from the Academic Exchange and Study Abroad office also will need to be completed. Most importantly, students are required to visit with their Academic/Faculty Advisor to ensure the return of courses and credits.

Planning and orientation support is provided by UAS staff prior to departure and by host campus support staff upon arrival.

Research program options, select a program, and then choose your host institution wisely. Consider the following: What are my goals (academic, personal, cultural)?; Am I being realistic about the costs and my financial resources?; What do I know about the new campus and community environment?; Have I researched the academic program adequately?; Am I sufficiently flexible and open to the unexpected? Then, schedule an appointment with the Academic Exchange and Study Abroad Coordinator.

No. Students that participate in any of these programs who are already a resident and are eligible for the Permanent Fund Dividend will still receive a dividend check as long as they are registered at UAS as a full-time student. Students are responsible for submitting a Verification of Enrollment Form to the Registrar's office in a timely manner. In turn, the Registrar will verify enrollment at UAS and send the form to the Permanent Fund Dividend office.

Dare to venture!

• Prepare yourself (which means do your own research).
• Complete the Mandatory UAS Preliminary Application.
• Meet with the Academic Exchange and Study Abroad Coordinator and your Faculty Advisor.
• Talk to students who have participated.
• Review you finances.
• Make the application deadlines.
• Pack your bags!