The ISA Custom Programs (CP) department works with U.S. University partners to offer logistical support for faculty-led study abroad opportunities in existing ISA locations. The goal of CP is to design, implement, and support custom programs based upon your university's needs.

Academic Program Models

Teach Your Own University Course[s] Abroad

Guest Lectures and Academic Site Visits

ISA can arrange for a guest lecturer to come to your classroom to speak on your course topics.

Academic site visits to local businesses, companies, historical sites, and organizations can also be
arranged to improve experiential learning outcomes.

Example:
ISA arranged a meeting for University of Pittsburgh's program with Argentina's Environment and
Sustainable Development Department. University of Pittsburgh in Argentina

Enroll Your Students in Courses at Host Universities

ISA partners with schools that are accredited or recognized by a legitimate accrediting agency, a
higher education association, the Holy See (for pontifical schools), or other authoritative body such
as a host country's Ministry of Education.

View the complete list of Host Universities with which we work.

By offering students the choice of over 50 academic institutions throughout the world, ISA gives them
the ability select from an extraordinary range of academic settings, campus cultures, and
extracurricular resources. Common to all of ISA's host institutions is a commitment to academic
excellence and learning beyond the classroom.

Official transcript provided

• When a student completes an ISA program, an academic transcript will be issued to ISA by the host institution. ISA will then process it, retain a copy for our permanent records and forward the original transcript to your university. The original transcript is accompanied by a letter of explanation which lists the translated courses the student took, contact hours for each course, and recommended grade equivalencies. A photocopy of the transcript will also be sent to the student's permanent address.

Contract a Local Professor to Teach a Customized Course

ISA can work with our host universities to hire a local professor to teach a course or courses
specifically for a Custom Program.

ISA can customize an existing course to meet certain contact-hour and level requirements. This type
of course customization could be the main academic offering of the program, or it could complement
a course taught by your university faculty.

If you would like to offer a discipline-specific course, your university may be able to provide a
syllabus. ISA's Academic Affairs staff can work with the host university to create new, custom content.
In some cases, such as the example from Ohio University highlighted below, the custom course
could be added to ISA's standard program offerings. This collaboration is beneficial for your
university because it reduces the minimum number of students needed for the program to run.

Tailor an ISA Program to Fit Your Curriculum

Your university can approve selected ISA programs and offer these to your students under your
university brand, either exactly as the programs are, or by making modifications to the existing ISA
curriculum or program structure in order to meet a specific academic or student-development need.

Add ISA Support Services to a Bilateral Exchange

ISA can support your university's bilateral exchange with an ISA host university. ISA can provide all
the logistical components of the program, such as use of the ISA office in the host country, full local
staff support, orientation, housing, cultural activities, excursions and insurance, while the U.S.
university would handle academic arrangements with the host university. In this way, the universities
are able to maintain a reciprocal exchange, but the U.S. students are receiving the benefits of an ISA
experience.

Packaging of Study and Experiential Learning Services to Create a Comprehensive Program

Your students could participate in a unique study and experiential learning abroad program by
combining ISA and ELAP Experiential Learning options and adding activities to tie these two together.
A number of ISA programs offer internships or service-learning opportunities for students. These
opportunities add another dimension to the study abroad experience through daily interactions with
locals, resulting in a greater understanding of the culture, community and language of the host
country.

Support Services

Before You Go

• ISA Custom Program Manager dedicated to your program
• A tailored, color flyer designed by the ISA Graphics Department
• Promotion of your program by ISA University Relations Representatives at your institution and college campuses
• Online pre-departure orientation
• On campus pre-departure orientations per request
• Pre-departure orientation given by an ISA staff member

While You're There

• ISA Resident Staff Support
• Airport Pick-Up and Drop Off
• On-Site Orientation and City Tour
• Student and Faculty Housing
• Classroom Space and AV Equipment
• Academic Visits, Volunteer Opportunities (ELAP) and Guest Lectures
• Opportunity to Enroll in Host University Courses (in English or Host Country Language)
• Custom courses taught by Host University professors
• Group meals and Cultural Activities
• Overnight or day-long excursions to include accommodation, transportation, entry fees, guides (in English or Host Country Language) and more
• Medical and liability insurance

When You Get Back

• Re-entry resources for your students
• Program Evaluation

To request a Custom Program Proposal tailored to fit your needs and/or to simply discuss your program options, please contact ISA at (512) 480-8522 or at cp@studiesabroad.com.