International Student Exchange Program (ISEP)

April 27, Dear [redacted] , This letter is in response to a complaint ID [redacted] submitted on April 1, We have addressed these same complaints with the student on multiple occasions, as has her home universityHowever, we will attempt to do so again for your files.ISEP, established in 1979, is a network of over colleges and universities in countries cooperating to provide affordable access to international education for a diverse student populationISEP students gain intercultural competence through integration into their host institution and host culture while exploring the international dimensions of their academic fieldISEP facilitates these experiences for approximately 3,students per year.Students who participate in ISEP programs pay their home tuition, room, and board at their home university and receive benefits in-kind at their host universityThis is referred to as the exchange model of studying abroadThe tuition, housing and meals paid to the home institution provide an opportunity for an international student to take the space of the U.S studentThe international student, in turn, pays his/her tuition, housing, and meals so that a U.Sstudent can take his/her place abroadThere are additional study abroad models from which students can chooseThis student could have participated in a program operated by a third party provider which would have cost significantly more than $10,Depending on the policies of the student's home institution, she could have chosen to independently directly enroll in the international university and paid the host university's home tuition, housing, and meals directlyHowever, the student chose ISEP and thus paid the $10,to her home universityBy paying her home tuition, housing, and meals, she was able to use any federal financial aid and institutional aid she was awarded towards her home university costsEach university in the United States and worldwide charges different tuition, housing, and meals to their students, so each student pays something different to participate on an SEP programThis makes the cost affordable for 3! participantsThe only money paid to ISEP was the student’s $placement feeThe membership agreement signed by all member universities stipulates basic membership standards to ensure a standard of what is to be provided rather than exact dollar amounts because university costs differ worldwideWhile it may appear that a student in France paid significantly less in tuition, housing, and meals, the hidden costs of lifelong taxes that the government uses to subsidize public education are not accounted forThe same applies in the United States as an in-state student would pay something different from an out-of-state studentThese difference are the very reason that ISEP requires that universities allow an exchange of benefits and not dollarsISEP requires members to provide the following benefits: - Students must be able to take a full-time course load at the host university - Students must be provided standard housing for that university that is clean and safe - Students must receive the equivalent of 19-meals per week in that countryEach university has the authority to provide the housing and meals in the way that their home student would usually receive itIn the case of a U.Sstudent, one might receive a meal planIn the case of Europe, students often receive a stipend equaling 19-meals per week so that they can eat in the cafeterias and cook in their dormsThis student received an adequate meal stipend for meals a week in her host country as is stipulated by ISEP membership standards(See Appendix 1) ISEP never claims to provide equitable amenities in regards to equivalent dollar amountsThat is not the nature of the exchange study abroad modelWe provide an exchange of benefits so that students receive what someone from their host culture would receiveThe student in question received the in-kind benefits that a local French student would have at this universitySincerely, Kristen A Vice President of International Member Relations

From: Linda S***< [redacted] @isep.org>Date: Fri, Apr 7, at 10:AMSubject: FW: Response to Complaint ID [redacted] To: " [redacted] @myRevdex.com.org" < [redacted] @myRevdex.com.org>Cc: [redacted] *** < [redacted] @isep.org> [redacted] The Revdex.comMetro Washington DC and Eastern Pennsylvania Complaint ID [redacted] Dear [redacted] : The student in question was placed at the University of [redacted] for the Fall semester 2016-study abroad program, lasting from August to December 12, Per our Health and Safety protocol, as soon as ISEP staff was notified of the student’ health situation, it did its due diligence and exhausted all means at its disposal to advocate for proctored examsThe precedent for proctored exams in health or other emergency situations mentioned in the complaint referred to ISEP members at large and not the University of [redacted] per se However, despite being notified on November 21, of the Academic Registrar’s position that, “it has been years since they allowed any student to have exams administered from their home University as they stopped this practice some time ago.”, the ISEP Global Office continued to advocate for the student and made repeated appeals up until February 24, without being able to affect change in the University of ***’s original decision to deny proctored exams for the studentIt is important to add that the ISEP Global Office was informed that the Assistant Academic Registrar for International Programs at the University of *** had received reports of misconduct on the part of the student days prior to her departure from the program on November 28, Upon receipt of this information, the ISEP Global Office notified the student’s home university on November 28, of this incident, stating “This may provide some context as to why the University of [redacted] has not viewed [the student’s] illness as seriously as we [ISEP] have and why they have not been quick to make an exception for [the student].” On November 30, 2016, the ISEP Global Office also notified the student’s mother of the incidence, adding that “Unfortunately, this is going to hamper our efforts to obtain approval for proctored exams for [the student]At this point, we feel it is important to refer the Revdex.com to ISEP’s Participant Placement Acceptance Form (PPAF) signed by the student on March 1, Under the Conditions of Placement (ISEP Direct) section, paragraphs VIIIand IX define the limits of ISEP’s responsibility and liability to participants, as well as the student’s responsibility to be informed of host institution regulations and to conduct themselves accordingly Please see text below: CONDITIONS OF PLACEMENT (ISEP DIRECT)VIIIISEP seeks to ensure that benefits and services outlined in the ISEP Terms of Participation for Institutional Members are provided by cooperating institutions, and ISEP shall seek to correct any inadequacies bro**ht to its attentionI understand that ISEP's responsibility to participants does not extend beyond such endeavors and that ISEP is not liable to any participant for benefits not provided by the participant's home or host institution.IXI understand that I am subject to the laws of the country or state where I am studying, as well as the rules and regulations of my host institutionI also understand that it is my responsibility to be informed about these laws and regulations, and to conduct myself in a manner that complies with themPursuant to the abovementioned PPAF conditions agreed to by the student and ISEP’s unwavering endeavors to advocate for proctored exams, despite the student’s reported misconduct, ISEP is not liable for benefits not provided in the form of proctored exams, and is therefore not legally bound to refund the $10,program fee for tuition, housing and meals, to which the student availed herself of until the day she departed on November 28, Please contact Kristen A***, ISEP Vice President | Member Relations, at [redacted] @isep.org if additional information is neededSent on behalf of Kristen A [redacted] by Linda S*** | Regional DirectorLatin America, Africa, Europe and Canada ISEP | www.isep.org###-###-#### | [redacted] @isep.org [redacted] | [redacted] | [redacted] | Blog Live Like a Local

From: Linda S[redacted]<[redacted]@isep.org>Date: Fri, Apr 7, 2017 at 10:40 AMSubject: FW: Response to Complaint ID [redacted]To: "[redacted]@myRevdex.com.org" <[redacted]@myRevdex.com.org>Cc: [redacted] <[redacted]@isep.org>[redacted]The Revdex.comMetro Washington DC and Eastern...

Pennsylvania Complaint ID [redacted] Dear [redacted]: The student in question was placed at the University of [redacted] for the Fall semester 2016-17 study abroad program, lasting from August 13 to December 12, 2016. Per our Health and Safety protocol, as soon as ISEP staff was notified of the student’ health situation, it did its due diligence and exhausted all means at its disposal to advocate for proctored exams. The precedent for proctored exams in health or other emergency situations mentioned in the complaint referred to ISEP members at large and not the University of [redacted] per se.  However, despite being notified on November 21, 2016 of the Academic Registrar’s position that, “it has been years since they allowed any student to have exams administered from their home University as they stopped this practice some time ago.”, the ISEP Global Office continued to advocate for the student and made repeated appeals up until February 24, 2017 without being able to affect change in the University of [redacted]’s original decision to deny proctored exams for the student. It is important to add that the ISEP Global Office was informed that the Assistant Academic Registrar for International Programs at the University of [redacted] had received reports of misconduct on the part of the student days prior to her departure from the program on November 28, 2016.  Upon receipt of this information, the ISEP Global Office notified the student’s home university on November 28, 2016 of this incident, stating “This may provide some context as to why the University of [redacted] has not viewed [the student’s] illness as seriously as we [ISEP] have and why they have not been quick to make an exception for [the student].”  On November 30, 2016, the ISEP Global Office also notified the student’s mother of the incidence, adding that “Unfortunately, this is going to hamper our efforts to obtain approval for proctored exams for [the student]. At this point, we feel it is important to refer the Revdex.com to ISEP’s Participant Placement Acceptance Form (PPAF) signed by the student on March 1, 2016. Under the Conditions of Placement (ISEP Direct) section, paragraphs VIII. and IX.  define the limits of ISEP’s responsibility and liability to participants, as well as the student’s responsibility to be informed of host institution regulations and to conduct themselves accordingly.  Please see text below:  CONDITIONS OF PLACEMENT (ISEP DIRECT)VIII. ISEP seeks to ensure that benefits and services outlined in the ISEP Terms of Participation for Institutional Members are provided by cooperating institutions, and ISEP shall seek to correct any inadequacies bro**ht to its attention. I understand that ISEP's responsibility to participants does not extend beyond such endeavors and that ISEP is not liable to any participant for benefits not provided by the participant's home or host institution.IX. I understand that I am subject to the laws of the country or state where I am studying, as well as the rules and regulations of my host institution. I also understand that it is my responsibility to be informed about these laws and regulations, and to conduct myself in a manner that complies with them. Pursuant to the abovementioned PPAF conditions agreed to by the student and ISEP’s unwavering endeavors to advocate for proctored exams, despite the student’s reported misconduct, ISEP is not liable for benefits not provided in the form of proctored exams, and is therefore not legally bound to refund the $10,550 program fee for tuition, housing and meals, to which the student availed herself of until the day she departed on November 28, 2016. Please contact Kristen A[redacted], ISEP Vice President | Member Relations, at [redacted]@isep.org  if additional information is needed. Sent on behalf  of Kristen A[redacted] by   Linda S[redacted] |  Regional DirectorLatin America, Africa, Europe and Canada ISEP  |  www.isep.org###-###-####  |  [redacted]@isep.org[redacted]  |  [redacted]  |  [redacted]  |  Blog     Live Like a Local

April 27, 2015
Dear [redacted],
This letter is in response to a complaint ID [redacted] submitted on April 1, 2015. We have addressed these same complaints with the student on multiple occasions, as has her home university. However, we will attempt to do so again for your...

files.ISEP, established in 1979, is a network of over 300 colleges and universities in 50 countries cooperating to provide affordable access to international education for a diverse student population. ISEP students gain intercultural competence through integration into their host institution and host culture while exploring the international dimensions of their academic field. ISEP facilitates these experiences for approximately 3,000 students per year.Students who participate in ISEP programs pay their home tuition, room, and board at their home university and receive benefits in-kind at their host university. This is referred to as the exchange model of studying abroad. The tuition, housing and meals paid to the home institution provide an opportunity for an international student to take the space of the U.S student. The international student, in turn, pays his/her tuition, housing, and meals so that a U.S. student can take his/her place abroad. There are additional study abroad models from which students can choose. This student could have participated in a program operated by a third party provider which would have cost significantly more than $10,000. Depending on the policies of the student's home institution, she could have chosen to independently directly enroll in the international university and paid the host university's home tuition, housing, and meals directly. However, the student chose ISEP and thus paid the $10,000 to her home university. By paying her home tuition, housing, and meals, she was able to use any federal financial aid and institutional aid she was awarded towards her home university costs. Each university in the United States and worldwide charges different tuition, housing, and meals to their students, so each student pays something different to participate on an SEP program. This makes the cost affordable for 3! participants. The only money paid to ISEP was the student’s $390 placement fee.
The membership agreement signed by all member universities stipulates basic membership standards to ensure a standard of what is to be provided rather than exact dollar amounts because university costs differ worldwide. While it may appear that a student in France paid significantly less in tuition, housing, and meals, the hidden costs of lifelong taxes that the government uses to subsidize public education are not accounted for. The same applies in the United States as an in-state student would pay something different from an out-of-state student. These difference are the very reason that ISEP requires that universities allow an exchange of benefits and not dollars. ISEP requires members to provide the following benefits:
- Students must be able to take a full-time course load at the host university.
- Students must be provided standard housing for that university that is clean and safe.
- Students must receive the equivalent of 19-21 meals per week in that country.
Each university has the authority to provide the housing and meals in the way that their home student would usually receive it. In the case of a U.S. student, one might receive a meal plan. In the case of Europe, students often receive a stipend equaling 19-21 meals per week so that they can eat in the cafeterias and cook in their dorms. This student received an adequate meal stipend for 19 meals a week in her host country as is stipulated by ISEP membership standards. (See Appendix 1)
ISEP never claims to provide equitable amenities in regards to equivalent dollar amounts. That is not the nature of the exchange study abroad model. We provide an exchange of benefits so that students receive what someone from their host culture would receive. The student in question received the in-kind benefits that a local French student would have at this university.
Sincerely,
Kristen A Vice President of International Member Relations