Learning Abroad Center
river with a view of the Burj Al Arab hotel in the distance

ISEP United Arab Emirates

Africa & Middle East
University Study

This direct enroll program gives you access to living and learning alongside locals at the American University of Sharjah for an immersive experience.

Apply to Program

Program Details

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Location
Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
Term icon
Term
Academic Year
Fall Semester
Calendar Year
Spring Semester
Housing icon
Housing
Dormitory
Sponsor
Sponsor
ISEP

Program Eligibility

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Student Type
UofM Students
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Student Year
Sophomores
Juniors
Seniors
GPA Requirement icon
GPA
2.5. This is a strict requirement; students below this mark should explore other options.
Language Prerequisite icon
Language Prerequisite
No Language Prerequisite

Events & Info Sessions

There are currently no events for this program. Explore more events on our events page.

About

ISEP is an educational non-profit that connects students to high-quality academic programs. View ISEP's guide to the United Arab Emirates for specific eligibility requirements and program features.

Program Structure

This is an affiliate program. You receive resident credit for the courses you take. Your grades factor into your University of Minnesota GPA and each course appears on your transcript with an A/F grade. Consult the Learning Abroad Center's Academic Policies for more information.

Affiliate organizations and partner universities will not accept applications from UMTC students without the endorsement of the Learning Abroad Center. You must participate in affiliate organization and partner university programs through the standard Learning Abroad Center application process.

Coursework

You will participate in the ISEP Direct program. You will be immersed in English taught classes while taking an Arabic language course. Learn about course offerings through ISEP's website

Dates Details

Dates vary depending on program term and year. Visit ISEP's website for program dates and application deadlines.

Orientation Dates & Locations

The Learning Abroad Center provides a pre-departure orientation(s) in addition to the orientation offered by your affiliate program team. It is your responsibility to know the information shared at these orientations.

Orientation consists of several sessions, all of which are created to support your preparation to go abroad:

  • Online Health & Safety Orientation: This asynchronous module can be accessed in your LAC checklist and is mandatory.
  • LAC Affiliate Orientation (live Zoom session): UofM-specific information will be covered (academic planning, finances, etc.). Details on the LAC affiliate orientation will be sent to you via email.
  • Affiliate Provider Orientation: This orientation will cover program-specific information. Your affiliate provider will invite you to a pre-departure orientation leading up to your departure.

Fees

University of Minnesota participants pay the program fee instead of on-campus tuition and fees for the term they are abroad.

How to Calculate the Total Program Fee

Affiliate Program Fee plus APAAC plus International Health Insurance minus Affiliate Fee Reduction equals Total program fee

To calculate your total program fee

Find your Affiliate program fee

To locate ISEP's published program fees, visit their fees page.

Add APAAC

Refer to the Affiliate Program Fees. Follow instructions on that page to determine your APAAC.

Add International Health Insurance

Multiply the number of months you will be away by $53.

Subtract Affiliate Fee Reduction

Visit the Affiliate Program Fees to determine the fee reduction you receive for being a University of Minnesota student.

What Is the APAAC?

Students participating on affiliated programs are charged a program fee that is inclusive of the affiliate's program fee, University of Minnesota Advising, Placement, Academic, and Administrative Costs (APAAC), and international health insurance. The APAAC covers:

  • Application processing
  • Advising services, orientation
  • Course registration
  • Grade transfer and posting for resident credit
  • Program billing and assistance with financial aid (when applicable)

Based on these additional services and benefits, the total program fee may be higher than the affiliate's published program fee.

Billing & Payments

Visit Billing for information about the billing process for application fees, deposits, and program fees.

Financial Aid & Scholarships

Visit Financial Information for information on using financial aid and scholarships for study abroad.

ISEP awards its own array of scholarships.

Flight & Deposit Advance

The Flight & Deposit Advance (formerly Bridging Loan) is a no-interest/no-fees program that allows you to defer payment of your flight and LAC program deposit until your financial aid is disbursed.

Cancellation Policy

Before you apply to or confirm your participation on this program, review the Learning Abroad Center's Cancellation Policy to inform yourself of the timeline and financial obligations for canceling

Prepare

Complete pre-application advising.

Apply

You will be charged a $50 application fee for each application you submit.

Apply Now

If your program and term does not appear in the drop-down list of available programs, select ‘ISEP—Other Programs Not Listed Here’ and complete the application item ‘Affiliate Program Information’ found in your application checklist.

Complete

In addition to completing the LAC application, submit to ISEP:

  • ISEP Online Application

Detailed descriptions and instructions for submitting each checklist item are included on the application checklist assigned to you.

Once your application is complete, we can electronically authorize your application with ISEP.

Next Steps

  1. Log in to the LAC application portal and select the program and term you plan to participate in. 
  2. Submit items in your LAC application checklist. Once submitted, your application will be reviewed by our program team. If nominated for participation, the LAC will contact the affiliate's staff to notify them of your status.
  3. Complete the affiliate program's application requirements as applicable.
  4. You will be notified of admission by the affiliate. You'll then be admitted by the LAC and this will be reflected in your LAC application checklist. 
  5. Once ready, confirm your spot on the program with both the LAC and affiliate. From here, you'll be provided guidance by the LAC and affiliate on preparing for your upcoming experience! 

P.S. Do not pay the affiliate’s confirmation deposit, only the LAC's deposit as outlined on our Billing page. The affiliate accepts the LAC’s deposit as indication of confirmation.

Program Contact

For further information or questions about this program, send an email to

Nathan Jacobson at [email protected], or call at 612.626.4523.