At present Lyon College pays for membership in two study abroad provider organizations, which in turn offer Lyon College students discounted study abroad programs. These organizations are CONAHEC, the Consortium for North American Higher Education Collaboration, and ISEP, International Student Exchange Programs. Another provider of multiple study abroad sites is the Irish-America Scholars Program which grants qualified applicants access to courses and a scholarship for tuition or a semester at the following universities in Northern Ireland: Queens University Belfast, Ulster University, St. Mary’s University College, Stranmillis University College and Belfast Metropolitan College.
Consortium for North American Higher Education Collaboration (CONAHEC)
CONEHEC offers reasonably priced, university-based semester exchange programs in Europe, Asia, and Latin America. Their website is located at http://www.conahecstudentexchange.org/ and their database is searchable by major and location. Their applications deadlines are usually in September/October for spring and February for the following fall. We are permitted to nominate to the receiving universities two students to any single institution and a total of 8 during any one nomination period. Most CONEHEC are semester, rather than summer, courses. If you find a program which interests you on their website and have questions or need more details, contact the Director of International Education at Lyon 218 , Ext. 7229, or by email at joseph.macade@lyon.edu.
International Student Exchange Programs (ISEP)
International Student Exchange Programs (ISEP) is the second study abroad organization of which Lyon College is a member. IESP offers access to 60 different institutions in more than 30 countries, covering six continents. ISEP has semester, year-long, and summer programs, as well as programs for volunteers and interning overseas. Since it is not a tuition exchange program, ISEP will charge local tuition and therefore the best prices in ISEP tend to be for summer courses. The best prices in ISEP tend to be for summer courses. Most of the information you will need for ISEP Direct, which are the services covered by Lyon College’s membership, can be found here.
Applicants for third-party programs must have at least a 3.00 GPA, must apply no later than the second semester of their junior year, must complete a study abroad application packet, including a recommendation form filled out by their advisor, and must comply with the application requirements of their chosen overseas university. Students begin the application process for these programs by obtaining and submitting their application packets to the Director of International Education (Lyon 218), who will nominate qualified applicants to the receiving overseas institutions which make the final selection decisions. Once accepted into an exchange program, a qualified student is eligible for up to $3000 in Nichols scholarship aid for a semester or year-long program and up to $2000 for an exchange which last at least one month.
Student Opportunity for a Tuition Free Semester of Study in Northern Ireland
Who May Apply
Current sophomore and junior students at U.S. colleges that participate in Study USA (formerly the Business Education Initiative — BEI) may apply. (Note: Institutions that have agreed to host a Study USA student during the current academic year may submit student applications for the Irish American Scholars program even if there is no Study USA student currently on campus.) Students may not attend a school in Northern Ireland for their final semester of study. In order to obtain a Visa, students must show that they are required to return to the United States to complete their education. This means that juniors may apply only for the fall semester.
Additionally, because they usually have not completed sufficient coursework in their major field of study, students who are currently freshmen will not be accepted as Irish American Scholars.
“Studying in Northern Ireland was amazing. I learned to be more independent and resourceful in addition to improving my communications skills.” - Mathew Kirkpatrick, Exchange Student at Ulster University Fall 2017
“Personally, I found the academic system in N. Ireland too focused on finals…The international student presence enlarged my cultural knowledge and enriched my experience. The prevalence of sports clubs on campus provided me with the beginnings of what is hopefully a life-long interest in practicing martial arts.” -Kacey Johns, Lyon Exchange Student at Ulster University, Fall 2004
“ I say that every student who has the opportunity to go study abroad (should)try and do it. It’s an amazing experience and it looks very good on your resume. There is no excuse for someone not to go study abroad. Going to Belfast is one of the best decisions I have ever made. I made many friends, and had a lot of new experiences that I could never have had in the States. I will never regret making this decision.” Payton Ouber, Lyon Exchange Student at Queens University, Spring 2013
The links below provide more information on the various Irish universities and colleges, the application process, and the cost of living in Ireland as a student.
Almería is a city in Andalusia, Spain, located in the southeast of Spain on the Mediterranean Sea, and is the capital of the province of the same name. It was Abd al-Rahman III who founded the Alcazaba (the Citadel), which gave this city its name: al-Mariyyah ( "the Watchtower"). In the 10th and 11th centuries, it formed part of the Caliphate of Córdoba, and grew wealthy on trade and the textile industry, especially silk. It suffered many sieges and fell under Christian domination in 1489. In 1522, Almería was devastated by an earthquake and rebuilding and recovery did not really get underway until the 19th century. During the Spanish Civil War, the city was shelled by the German Navy, and fell to Franco in 1939. It has since rebuilt its economy around vegetable production, with 100,000 acres of greenhouses, supplying much of Europe. Some of the main sites of the city are the Alcazaba, an imposing Moorish fortress overlooking the city; the fortified, 16th-century Almería Cathedral with its distinctive Gothic ribbed ceiling; the Museum of Almería, which displays archaeological finds from across the region; the underground network of tunnels, the Civil War Shelters of Almería; and the The English Cable a huge iron pier and symbol of the city’s former mining industry. Almeria is famous throughout Spain for its gorgeous beaches, most of which are completely unspoilt. despite their popularity. The city has an excellent public bus system.
The University of Almería (UAL) is a public university that was established in 1993 and has about 14,000 students. Located on the shore of the Mediterranean Sea, it belongs to the La Cañada de San Urbano district of Almería City The modern campus is just six kilometers away from the city center.
More than 650 students from all over the world will come to study in the UAL every year, adding up to more than 5% to the student body.
For prices on ISEP’s month-long summer Spanish language and culture program offered in July, please see their website here.
“My confidence and skill speaking and listening in Spanish improved. I learned so much about Spanish culture and customs, and I have gained life-long friends in my host family. I gained insight into myself as well as a newfound respect for people with a different way of life…” - Natalie Milligan, University of Almeria ISEP Student, Summer 2017
"It wasn’t always easy, but I believe it was one of the best decisions I ever made.” - Molly Young, CONAHEC/Almeria Student, Spring 2013
The links below provide further information on life at Almeria, the cost of living, and videos of the university.
The Universidad del Pais Vasco or University of the Basque Country (main website), the Visiting Student Handbook (here) advertises itself as “a vibrant 30-year-old institution with 45,000 students, 5,000 world-class academic staff and state-of-the-art facilities.” Located along the Atlantic coast of Northern Spain, this public University has three main campuses, Alava (Vitoria-Gasteiz), Biscay (Liloa-Bilboa) and Gipuzkoz (Donostia-San Sabastian).
Alava, sometimes spelled “Arava” or “Araba” is the University’s smallest campus and hosts 7 faculties & schools very centrally located in the city of Vitoria-Gasteiz. This city is the administrative capital of the Basque Country and has over 230,000 inhabitants. Its vast green areas and the low carbon footprint of locals made it possible to designate Vitoria-Gasteiz ‘European Green Capital’ in recent years. The city has a beautiful historical section around the Cathedral of Santa María. The city also has an excellent modern art museum, and in the surrounding areas, a number of archaeological sites woodlands and parks. Not far from Vitoria-Gasteiz are numerous trekking trails, mountain bike routes, water sports options and paragliding clubs. To reach the city students normally fly to Bilbao-Loiu airport.
Fact Sheet: For cost-of-living estimates, application requirement, and visa information, please see the University’s Partner Fact Sheet here.
“I loved the experience…I am glad I did the exchange. I find myself more mature and happier … (as a result).” -- Jose Poblete, Exchange student Spring 2018, Biscay Campus
“Traveling made me want to keep knowing new places and to have a positive impact on the world with the skills I was given.” -- Omar Fabila, Exchange student Spring 2018, Biscay Campus
*Omar Fabila also commented on the lack of personal attention to students at a large public university (The Biscay campus), the old-fashioned lecture-centered methodology of many of the instructors, and the need to arrange housing in advance.
The links below provide further information on the University of the Basque Country, Visa information, and videos of life at the university.