INTERNATIONAL STUDENT EXCHANGE PROGRAMS ANNUAL REPORT The Experience of a Lifetime 2009 VOICES & VISION IN INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION Celebrating 30 Years of the ISEP Network, 1979–2009 The ISEP Network Supports Your Campus Internationalization Initiatives Student Programs » ISEP-Exchange: reciprocal tuition, housing, and meal exchanges among US and international members » ISEP-Direct: affordable, fee-paid study away programs » Range of full-year, semester, and summer options » Access to academic immersion, extracurricular activities, volunteer opportunities, service learning, internships, and scholarships Institutional Support Services » International and academic mobility with one agreement » Consolidated exchange balance management » Online and print materials for student recruitment » Enrollment in student health insurance » SEVIS administration and J-1 visa sponsorship Professional Development » ISEP conferences, symposia, and workshops » Training events and teleconferences » Council of Advisors, Board of Directors, and working groups » Organized site tours to member institutions » Faculty outreach initiatives Networking » Consortium of international and US members » Global exposure and member recognition » ISEP events hosted at international conferences » ISEP Ambassadors for recruiting participants and welcoming visiting students » Social media connections on Facebook Cover image courtesy of Thomas Lindsey, North Carolina State University at Raleigh, USA, to Massey University, New Zealand ISEP is an independent, Table of Contents self-supporting nonprofit Mission of ISEP 1 organization serving over President’s Welcome 2 Message from the Board Chair 3 300 member institutions Council of Advisors 4 Programs 5 in 42 countries. Since The ISEP Student Experience 6 Financials 8 1979, ISEP has provided International Members 10 access to an affordable US Members 11 Board and Council Members 12 range of diverse study Calendar of Events and Contributions to ISEP 13 opportunities to over 34,000 students worldwide. Mission of ISEP: » Promotes academic and cross- cultural learning through a worldwide collaborative network of higher education institutions. » Facilitates academic mobility through affordable and diverse exchange and study programs. » Enhances institutional infrastructures for these programs and fosters campus internationalization. Image courtesy of Karoliina Rantonen, University of Kuopio, Finland, to Fundação Armando Alvares Penteado (FAAP), Brazil ISEP ANNUAL REPORT 2009 1 President’s Welcome Over the past 30 years, the commitment, creativity, and determination of institutions and individuals within the ISEP Network have turned dreams into reality for over 34,000 students worldwide, many of whom may not have had access to international education otherwise. Although there have been times of uncertainty over the course of its history, particularly in 1997 when government funding ended, ISEP continues to flourish as a comprehensive Mary Anne Grant international education organization serving over 300 member institutions in a President and CEO growing number of ways. When I joined ISEP in 1981, I was responsible for placing all ISEP 300 students in reciprocal exchanges among fewer than 75 institutions. Today, over 2,600 students annually participate in reciprocal ISEP-Exchanges, fee-paid ISEP-Direct programs, short-term study options, and a budding number of service learning and internship opportunities. Although national trends show that only five US states hosted 43% of incoming international students, ISEP fosters international student diversity at nearly 150 campuses throughout 45 states. A well-tested model combining ISEP-Exchange and ISEP-Direct enrollments in Ghana has also provided scholarships for 44 Ghanaian faculty and staff to pursue graduate study in the United States. A similar program operates in Costa Rica, and others are under development. Additionally, campus representatives meet regularly for professional development and training programs during gatherings of the ISEP Network at conferences, symposia, study tours, and workshops. Because member universities recognize that the benefits of participating in a global network allows them to do more collectively than individually, ISEP is constantly expanding, providing access to a diverse range of academic partners for all members. US universities connect with over 150 institutions abroad in 42 countries. International members connect with nearly 150 US colleges and universities as well as gain access to institutions in many other countries through International-to-International linkages. This 30th anniversary year is a celebration of ISEP’s collaborative model—our voices and vision—that has become so integral to strengthening and expanding access to international education for many campuses. We welcome you to the ISEP Network and this annual report highlighting our accomplishments of the past year. 2 VOICES&VISION IN INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION Message from the Board Chair In 1979, I returned from a year as a Fulbright lecturer in Japan, an experience that ignited my lifelong interest in international education. That same year, ISEP began with only 28 students from seven institutions. Today, the ISEP Network is 300 members strong in 42 countries. For nearly 30 years I have had the opportunity to observe ISEP from different perspectives at four member universities: as international program director, department Blaine A. Brownell Chair, 2007–2011 chair, dean, graduate dean, provost, and president. Throughout this time I have admired ISEP Board of Directors ISEP’s goals and values, which are reflected in the dedication of ISEP Coordinators and staff who work hard to ensure that all ISEP students have an experience of a lifetime. I also have many gratifying memories of ISEP students, such as the undergraduate from Colombia who, placed in a second-year medical school program with no patient contact allowed, more than held his own; and the American student who, through close supervision and individual study, completed a full year of academic credit in Ghana despite the faculty officially being on strike. These are just two examples of how the ISEP Network has always provided students with unique experiences and personal attention, which are the foundation for ISEP’s efforts to broaden its reach as a significant global resource for international education. The ISEP Board of Directors is cognizant of both this proud history and the enormous potential for future service. It is committed to working with ISEP management to identify new and appropriate ways for the organization to respond to expanding member institution needs to prepare students for success in a global, multicultural environment. This will require innovative approaches and a willingness to experiment with new possibilities—but always to further the values and strengths that have defined ISEP over the last 30 years as a unique organization. The Board invites your support and your comments. THREE DECADES OF ISEP PARTICIPANT GROWTH ISEP ANNUAL REPORT 2009 3 Council of Advisors WORKING GROUPS Program Assessment and Learning Outcomes The Council of Advisors provides an important forum » Consolidating research by member institutions for discussion among coordinators and staff on program and ISEP on program assessment and student development and assessment; membership standards; and learning outcomes ISEP processes, policies, and events. As representatives » Analyzing data collected in the ISEP from institutions throughout the United States and evaluation process around the world, the Council makes recommendations » Utilizing results to enhance campus that provide valuable feedback to ISEP staff and result in internationalization specific actions. The working group structure provides a Membership Standards framework to guide discussions and planning. » Development of best practices in cooperation with member institutions and ISEP staff » Focus group analysis on best templates for “ISEP not only enables our students to have host site orientation programs the experience of a lifetime, but this amazing » Development of a mentoring program for network also provides unique opportunities new coordinators for professional development to its members. Admissions and ISEP Processes » Analyzing and advising on TOEFL It has been extremely rewarding to work with language requirements colleagues from member institutions, the ISEP » Developing online application and ways to staff, and the ISEP Board on common goals streamline the application process » Reviewing processes regarding host and a shared vision, and I look forward to a confirmations and Institutional great year ahead.” Information Sheets Program Development Heidi Gregori-Gahan, Council of Advisors Chair, ISEP » Working with ISEP staff on regional strategic plans » Collaborating on initiatives in Africa, Europe, Latin America, Asia, and for general program development » Serving as resources for establishing contacts and regional networking Standing Committee on ISEP Events » Collaborating with ISEP on the scheduling, location, and strategic planning of events » Exploring how to best utilize the volunteer network and advisory members Heidi Gregori-Gahan (left) and Carol Fairweather (right) discuss the Council of Advisors’ working group initiatives during the semi-annual meeting in October 2009. 4 VOICES&VISION IN INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION REGIONAL HIGHLIGHTS Programs Africa ISEP welcomes the University of Botswana to the ISEP Network, along with the new summer This