Warren Wilson College holds exchange agreements or partnerships with institutions in a number of countries. Students who apply for a semester or year-length study away program work closely with academic advisers and the Office of the Registrar to ensure the smooth transition of transferring credit. We recommend that students begin preparing for study away at least one year in advance.
Students must be a second semester sophomore, junior, or first semester senior to apply for these programs.
Please review the Checklist for ISEP semester away or Checklist for all other exchange programs if you are considering applying for a semester away program. For information on the financial aspect of doing an exchange semester of year, please review the ISEP cost breakdown or non-ISEP exchange cost breakdown.
To apply for programs: visit the application portal and click on "programs" at the top to reach the program database. From within the program database, click "list all" and search for the program you hope to apply to, or click "advanced search" and type in the program's information. Once you have found the program and clicked on the link, you will see an "apply now" tab on the right side of the page.
International Student Exchange Programs (ISEP)
New to Warren Wilson's study abroad exchange partnerships is ISEP. ISEP a non-profit leader in the international education field dedicated to helping students overcome financial and academic barriers to study abroad. In partnership with over 300 member institutions in more than 50 countries, students are placed at one of the many member universities where they are enrolled alongside local students. ISEP is a strong fit for any student from any major. Applicants must have a minimum 3.0 GPA.
ISEP has a unique fee structure that is a little different than the fee structure for the other exchange programs. Please take a look at the fee structure for ISEP here.
To watch an information session on ISEP, please do so here.
More information on the ISEP can be found here.
Irish-American Scholars in Northern Ireland: Queen's University Belfast and University of Ulster
Through Warren Wilson's affiliation with the Irish-American Scholars Program, qualified WWC students have the opportunity to spend a semester or year studying in Northern Ireland at Queen's University Belfast or University of Ulster. Queen's is a large and well-known University that offers many academic programs in a traditional British educational environment. The Queen's University Belfast is renowned for research in Irish Studies, politics, writing, literature, music and archaeology, among other specialties. Warren Wilson College students may spend a semester or year studying at one of University of Ulster's four campuses located in Magee, Coleraine, Belfast or Jordanstown. Each campus is different in size and focus, rangning from relaxed, smaller communities on the coast to vibrant, urban setting. The University of Ulster has strong liberal arts offerings across most disciplines. Well-known for natural and physical sciences, history and polictical science, art and design, literature, Irish language, archeology, social sciences, sports and education, and peace and conflict studies, students in any major are sure to find topics of interest. Housing is on or near campus in dormitories or shared flats. Applicants should have a minimum 3.2 GPA and be sophomore or junior level in order to apply for the Irish American Scholars program.
More information about Irish-American Scholars can be found here.
Greece: Perrotis College/American Farm School
Perrotis College/ American Farm school in the beautiful Thessaloniki, Greece is a popular choice for qualified Warren Wilson students. Perrotis College is located on the eastern edge of Thessaloniki, a thriving urban city, though the campus is just outside of the city in a secluded green space. This is a bi-national community that promotes experiential education through sustainable living on and off campus. Perrotis focuses on Agro-Environmental Systems management, Food Science and Technology, International Business, and Alternative Tourism Management. The available coursework is a particularly strong fit for environmental studies majors and outdoor leadership majors at Warren Wilson. Applicants must have a minimum 3.0 GPA.
More information on the College can be found here.
Finland: South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences (XAMK)
Warren Wilson College is pleased to offer students a unique opportunity to study in Finland through our partnership with the South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences (Xamk). The university is located on different campuses in four mid-sized towns northeast of Helsinki, and it is settled in the beautiful lake district of Finland surrounded by spruce and birch forests that are characteristic of Scandinavia. Courses taught in English are available in a number of fields of study during spring semester. Internship opportunities may also be available. This program is particularly suited to students majoring or interested in Social Sciences, Social Work, Education, Outdoor Leadership, or Business, but students of with academic interest or focus in other studies, such as Sustainable Forestry and Environmental Studies may find elective options that will enhance their chosen field of study and expand their understanding of Finnish and Scandinavian culture. Applicants must have a minimum 3.0 GPA.
More information can be found here:South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences (Xamk)'s website.
France: Université Catholique de l'Ouest
Qualified students with a strong background in French may study for a semester or a year at this university in Angers located in the heart of the Loire Valley. Students are required to register for further French language study while also pursuing courses offered in a wide variety of subjects at this university. All courses are offered in French, so it is advisable only for students with advanced language skills. Placement has been limited in this program. Slots may not be available in every academic year. Applicants should have a minimum 3.0 GPA and excellent French language skills. Recommendation of the WWC language department is required.
More information can be found at: Université Catholique de l'Ouest's website .
Germany: Trier University-Birkenfeld Environmental Campus
Warren Wilson College's partnership with the Environmental Campus of the Trier University of Applied Sciences in Germany provides a special opportunity in particular for science, business and language majors to study abroad during the spring semester. With advance planning, students may also prepare research projects at WWC and continue them in Europe under the supervision of WWC and Birkenfeld faculty, in addition to attending courses. German language skills are strongly recommended. Birkenfeld is located in the beautiful Mosel River area of western Germany, close to the borders of France and Luxembourg. Applicants should have a minimum 3.0 GPA.
More information can be found at: Trier University's website.
Mexico: Universidad Popular Autóma del Estado de Puebla (UPAEP)
Spanish majors and students with advanced Spanish skills may study for a semester or year at UPAEP, a university in the beautiful and historic city of Puebla, a UNESCO World Heritage site. UPAEP offers courses across many different disciplines, appealing to humanities as well as science majors, particularly agriculture, pre-med, pre-vet and other health sciences. The university has a strong commitment to service learning and has on-going service projects in both urban and rural communities. UPAEP enrolls over 7,000 undergraduate students from all over Mexico, as well as from several other Latin American and European countries. Students have the opportunity to live with Mexican host families or in university housing. Applicants should have a minimum 3.0 GPA and excellent Spanish language skills. Recommendation of the WWC language department is required.
More information can be found at UPAEP's website.
Japan: Kansai Gaidai University
Situated between Kyoto and Osaka, the university offers a strong Asian Studies program particularly suited to students seeking experience in a Japanese milieu. Students are offered options for language study, as well as an immersion in Japanese culture, language, business, history and the arts. Many courses are taught in English. Programs are offered both semesters and during the summer. Home stays are possible and some scholarships are available through the university. Applicants should have a minimum 3.0 GPA and a demonstrated interest in Japanese culture.
More information can be found at: Kansai Gaidai's Asian Studies website.
Japan: iCLA (International College of Liberal Arts)
The International College of Liberal Arts at Yamanashi Gakuin University is a 4-year, residential, American-style liberal arts college, with all courses offered in English with departments in Economics, Political Science, Sociology, Language Arts (Literature, Linguistics), Philosophy and Religious Studies, Music, Arts, and Performing Arts. Picturesquely located at the foot of Mt Fuji, in the heart of what was known in medieval times as Kai Country, the YGU Sakaori campus, home to the iCLA complex (Residential Halls and classroom building), iCLA is only 90 minutes West of Tokyo, and offers students unique opportunities to immerse themselves in the very essence of Japan and its culture. Applicants should have a minimum 3.0 GPA and a demonstrated interest in Japanese culture.
More information can be found at: ICLA's website.
Korea: Hannam University
South Korea is an important economic and political force on the world stage. Qualified students may spend a summer, semester or year studying in Daejeon, South Korea at Hannam University. Foreign students typically attend classes at the Center for Korean Language and Korean Studies. Intensive Korean language study is at the heart of this program. Students may also choose from courses taught in English in Korean literature, history, culture, business and economics. Applicants should have a minimum 3.0 GPA.
More information can be found at the Hannam University website or here: Hannam University PDF.
China: Liaocheng University
Qualified Warren Wilson students will have the opportunity to spend a semester at Liaocheng University in this highly immersive program. The primary focus of the program is on Chinese language and culture. Liaocheng University is located in Shandong province, an area not commonly visited by Western tourists or students. This program is particularly suitable for Global Studies and other majors in which students would like to gain a deeper understanding of Asian life. Beginning through advanced Mandarin language is offered through this program. Prior Mandarin language study is not required but is helpful. Applicants should have a minimum 3.0 GPA.
More information can be found here: Liaocheng University Brief Introduction.