ipo.asu.edu
William G. Davey, PhD, Director
PURPOSE
Arizona State University is an internationally recognized research and doctoral granting institution. The International Programs Office (IPO) is responsible for developing and implementing a wide variety of international policies and activities. As part of the Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost, IPO administers university study programs abroad, visiting scholar programs at ASU, and protocol for international visitors. In cooperation with academic and administrative units, IPO develops international policies for ASU, represents the international interests of the university to the community at large, administers scholarships for studying abroad, supports faculty exchanges, and facilitates joint international research and training projects. IPO also represents the university’s international interests to professional organizations and government agencies. The Office of Immigration Programs for International Faculty and Scholars within IPO assumes responsibility for international visitors who come to work, study, or conduct research on the ASU campuses, and also operates one of the nation’s first U.S. Passport Offices located at a state university.
ACADEMIC PROGRAMS
The Department of State-sponsored IIE Open Doors report ranks ASU as one of the nation’s top twenty institutions in terms of student international mobility. In increasing numbers, students have chosen ASU because of its excellence in international programs, including extensive international study opportunities.
Two types of programs — study abroad and student exchange — are designed to enhance the academic development, professional preparation, and international perspective of students.
IPO offers more than 200 fall and spring semester and year-long international programs for ASU resident credit. Students on an IPO study abroad or exchange program retain full-time student status and the catalog status they held at the time of their departure. Study Abroad and Exchange Programs are available in Albania, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, England, France, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Hungary, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Macedonia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Scotland, Senegal, Serbia, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, and Vietnam.
For a current list of host universities (in the countries listed in the previous paragraph) and the programs they offer, view the program menu on the IPO Web site at
ipo.asu.edu/asu/program.
Exchange Programs
Exchange programs are those in which ASU students may study at a foreign institution, and students from that institution have a reciprocal opportunity to study at ASU. Participants simply pay their normal registration fees and tuition at ASU. For exchange programs, ASU registration fees and tuition may be paid by scholarships or waivers. Financial aid may, in most cases, be applied to the costs of exchange programs. Exchange programs offer students the chance to enter mainstream university life in the country of their choice. Normally, participation in an exchange program is dependent on prior attainment of an adequate level of language competence to be able to function in classes in the host country.
In several instances, students may have the opportunity to obtain advanced-level intensive language instruction for approximately one month in the host country before the start of the academic term.
Diverse program locations for students proficient in the host language include Chile, France, Germany, Korea, Mexico and more. Students desiring exchange programs with English as the language of instruction may consider programs in not only Australia, England, New Zealand, and Scotland, but also Austria, Netherlands, Scandinavia, Singapore, and Thailand. IPO also offers special exchanges in Japan, Italy, and Mexico where both English and the host language may be used.
Study Abroad Programs
IPO offers a world of study abroad programs, which are distinct from exchange programs in two ways: (1) rather than pay one’s ASU tuition for the terms abroad as exchange programs require, participants simply pay a program fee to IPO that covers costs associated with that particular program, and financial aid may be applied to the program fee; (2) there is no reciprocal exchange of students (no foreign students come to ASU for the participants IPO sends abroad).
IPO Exchange and study abroad programs are administered in three ways:
-
1. direct programs,
-
2. partnership programs, and
-
3. specialty programs.
Direct Programs
ASU offers numerous study abroad and exchange program destinations through direct affiliation with overseas schools and universities. IPO direct programs can accommodate students from nearly every ASU major and suit a variety of personal preferences.
Partnership Programs
IPO works in conjunction with select major national program providers, such as the American Institute for Foreign Study (AIFS), International Studies Abroad (ISA), the Institute for Study Abroad, Butler University (IFSA, Butler), and the Council for International Educational Exchange (CIEE), to expand the number of quality program choices available to ASU students. Partnership programs offer opportunities for ASU students to study abroad through IPO on programs offered by these reputable partners while still maintaining enrollment at ASU, allowing access to ASU financial aid and resulting in ASU resident credit.
Specialty Programs
Specialty programs are specifically designed by one academic unit (school, college, or department), are partly administered by that unit in cooperation with IPO, and are only available to students from that academic area. Specialty programs are offered by the College of Human Services (for social work), the College of Education (for student teaching), the College of Law, the Ira A. Fulton School of Engineering, the Morrison School of Agribusiness and Resource Management, the School of Architecture, and the W. P. Carey School of Business.
International Programs maintains close ties with ASU’s area studies programs, including the Center for Asian Studies, the programs in Korean Studies and Southeast Asian Studies, the Latin American Studies Center, and the Russian and East European Studies Consortium. Many IPO programs are specifically designed for students in these areas.
Close relationships are maintained with a number of campus partners. IPO cooperates with the Office of Pan-American Initiatives in the development of international relationships with international exchange and research opportunities throughout the Americas. The Barrett Honors College cooperates in the creation of special programs for the benefit of its students. The Department of Languages and Literatures assists in the staffing and management of a number of study abroad programs, especially those related to language acquisition. The W. P. Carey School of Business and College of Liberal Arts and Sciences maintain advising services and offer scholarships for their students intending to study abroad.
International Internship Opportunities
The International Programs Office provides numerous programs with professional credit-bearing international internship opportunities. IPO is affiliated with European Study Abroad to offer an eight-week, six semester hour internship in London or Madrid. Internship placements are available for most majors. In addition to the internship, students take two academic courses relating to the culture, language, and politics of the host country. Internship opportunities may be available in Australia, England, Germany, Ireland, and Mexico.
Procedures
Students interested in participating in such programs should contact the International Programs Office in TMPCT 198.
IPO assists students through every stage of planning, preparation, participation, and return from exciting international educational experiences. International Program coordinators are available to assist students in choosing a program that meets academic, personal, and professional goals.
Information on programs can be obtained from the International Programs Office in TMPCT 198, from the IPO Web page at
ipo.asu.edu, or by phone at 480/965-5965.
How to Apply
Students interested in applying for an international program start the process by attending a Study Abroad 101 information session, held every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at IPO. Students may then set up a personal account called myIPO at
ipo.asu.edu/myipo. Through myIPO, students select their program preference and begin the application process. Eligible students then obtain the program specific application packet at IPO. Completed application packets are due to IPO by October 1, for spring programs, and by March 1, for fall and academic year programs. After the application process is completed, students attend predeparture orientations conducted by IPO. The presentations prepare participants for a comfortable and rewarding international experience.
Immigration Programs for International Faculty and Scholars
The International Faculty and Scholars Office (Immigration/Employment Visa Services) of the IPO is responsible for administration of the university’s Exchange Visitor Program and Employment-Based Visa Programs. The responsibilities of this office also include providing information, guidance, and advice to the various departments, programs, and colleges of the Polytechnic, Tempe, and West campuses, as well as to the university’s faculty, staff, students, and guests on questions and issues related to the university’s J-1 Exchange Visitor and Employment-Based Visa programs and other immigration-related issues.
