University of Tartu, Estonia - ISEP

Application Deadlines

ISEP’s priority application deadlines are:

• September 15 for spring programs (approximately January till May).
• March 1 for fall programs (approximately September till December).
• March 1 for summer programs (approximately June till August).

Some ISEP Exchange programs and many ISEP Direct programs remain available after these deadlines. You can find specific deadlines on each program page.

Program Dates

Program dates vary based upon the host institution's academic calendar, but the following are general guidelines:

• Fall: Approximately September to December
• Spring: Approximately January to May
• Summer: Approximately June to August

ISEP programs are immersive and life-changing, allowing students to gain cross-cultural understanding and respect for others.

ISEP offers an impressive and affordable array of programs among a global community of universities in more than 50 countries throughout Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, North America, Oceania, and South America.

Students can participate in semester-long, academic year, or summer programs for any field of study, as well as service learning and internship programs.

• With ISEP Exchange programs, you can go abroad anywhere in the ISEP network while paying KSU-equivalent tuition, housing, and meals. This then enables a student from another ISEP member university to take your place at KSU. You might be even able to apply for scholarships or financial aid that you normally receive toward your ISEP program abroad.
• ISEP Direct programs are often the best value available, offering low-cost options, guaranteed placement at the university of your choice, and a thoughtfully customized experience.

Students will be required to complete three applications:

1. An internal Kent State Education Abroad application.
2. An ISEP application.
3. And a partner university application.

These quick steps below will help walk you through the process.

First, start an Education Abroad Application

• Students must also complete an international Kent State application to participate in an ISEP program.
• You can begin your OGE application by clicking the “Apply Now” button.
• Your Education Abroad application will be accepted upon ISEP placement (see below).
• Please note that acceptance to the program by Kent State University does not serve as final approval. ISEP and the host institution grant final approval for each applicant.

Then, start an ISEP Application

• Students must create an ISEP account with their Kent State email. From there, you are required to submit one single application through the ISEP website for your program(s) of interest. Please follow the application instructions on the ISEP website.
• Review the ISEP Chances of Placement guide to better understand the ISEP Exchange application and placement process.

Next, wait for ISEP Placement

Once the ISEP application deadline has passed, students will be placed at one of their program(s) of interest. Each year, ISEP begins reviewing applications following their priority application deadlines on September 15 and March 1.

ISEP Exchange

For ISEP Exchange applicants, ISEP makes placement decisions based on exchange space available at each host institution and academic fit for the student.

Exchange applicants can expect to receive their placement notification within 2-4 weeks of the priority deadline.

ISEP Direct

For ISEP Direct applicants, there is no limit to the number of program spaces available, so chances of placement are excellent provided you meet the program requirements.

Direct applicants can expect to receive their placement notification within 1-2 weeks of submission, following the priority deadline.

Finally, complete the Host University Application

• Once ISEP has placed you in a program, you will receive instructions directly from ISEP about completing an application for the host university.
• Please note your final acceptance into the program is contingent on official acceptance from the host institution.
• Confirmation of placement usually takes 3-4 weeks while the host institution reviews your application.

Transfer Credits

With this program, students enroll in courses at a partner (host) institution. You will need to transfer the credits you earn abroad back to Kent State University.

Upon successful completion of the program, the host institution will issue you an official transcript, which will be needed for the credit transfer process.

You must earn passing grades on the courses you take abroad for the credits to transfer. 

Prior to departure, students will meet with their academic advisor to complete a Transfer Course Planning (TCP) Form, which will outline the courses you plan to take while abroad and how the courses will transfer to Kent State University. 

Some courses have already been pre-approved for transfer to Kent State and can be viewed on the Transfer Credit Guide. Please note that this is only a guide and is NOT a comprehensive list of courses available at each partner institution.

Credit Approval

Prior to departure, it is your responsibility to meet with your academic advisor to discuss the courses you plan to take while abroad.

If a course needs to be evaluated for transfer, you are responsible for working with your education abroad advisor to obtain the syllabus and have it reviewed by Kent State faculty. 

It is possible to use your federal financial aid to go on Kent State University-approved education abroad programs. You can learn more on the Financial, Billing and Enrollment Center website.

It is also possible to use most Kent State scholarships for education abroad costs. You can find education abroad scholarships on ScholarshipUniverse.

If you have any questions about using your financial aid and scholarships for study abroad, you can contact the Financial, Billing and Enrollment Center.

ISEP also offers scholarships for their programs, with many focused on underserved student populations as well as opportunities for students studying a language or in specific locations around the world.

Pre-Departure Orientation

Prior to your education abroad experience, you will participate in a mandatory pre-departure orientation hosted by the Office of Global Education. During this orientation, you will be provided with information including but not limited to:

• international travel procedures;
• in-country resources;
• health and safety resources and information;
• culture shock and resources to help prepare for living abroad.

All students are encouraged to register with the Safe Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) prior to departure.

You can also review a wide variety of resources we’ve pulled together for you on our “Before You Go” page.

All ISEP students will participate in additional orientations which include:

• A pre-departure health and safety orientation video;
• A pre-departure program-specific orientation;
• An on-site orientation with your host institution.

Keep an eye out for email invitations to these pre-departure orientations from your ISEP Program Coordinator.

Country Profile

ISEP provides a county handbook for all countries where their programs take place. We recommend you review more information about your respective country there.

You can also learn more about your destination(s), including travel advisories, through the U.S. Department of State website.

In addition, we encourage you to visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) travel page for information about any vaccinations you may need or health and safety tips for traveling to your destination(s).

If vaccinations or medications are needed according to the CDC, you should make arrangements for appointments with your healthcare provider or the DeWeese Health Center as soon as possible.

Appointment openings at the DeWeese Health Center are limited and vaccines may need to be ordered, which takes time. Please note that not all immunizations are available at the DeWeese Health Center. 

A visa is a document required by many countries, in addition to your passport, that allows you to enter the country for a certain purpose (whether that’s to stay, transit, or exit). Essentially, it is the country's government giving you legal permission to enter their country to travel, study, work, etc.

Please note, it is solely the responsibility of the student to: 

• determine the entry, transit, and stay requirements for the country or countries to which they will travel,
• and to apply for any necessary visas, stay permits, or any other immigration requirements of the host nation(s).

It is also the responsibility of the student to:

• verify the correct documentation required to apply for the required visa(s), 
• apply for the visa(s) early enough to ensure there is enough processing time,
• and pay any fees associated with obtaining the visa(s).

Kent State University's Office of Global Education is available to provide general guidance regarding student visa requirements and procedures; however, each student who travels abroad is expected to manage their own legal obligations regarding international travel.

It is strongly recommended by the Office of Global Education that you carefully review the appropriate consulate or embassy website for the nation(s) you plan to visit in order to determine current entry/study/exit visa requirements.