University of Latvia, Latvia - Study Abroad

Aerial view of the city of Riga, Latvia with a river in the background and colorful historical buildings.

University of Latvia, Latvia - ISEP

The is located in Riga, the capital city of Latvia. Riga was founded in 1201 and is the largest city in Latvia and one of the country鈥檚 major ports. The University offers an expansive list of courses taught in English. The Baltic/Latvian Studies Program is especially recommended for ISEP students. It is taught in English and includes a Latvian language course. It covers Latvian literature and anthropology/cultural studies (focusing on Latvia); other topics include history and economics of Latvia and the Baltic region. There is also a Russian Studies Program, taught in Russian (with some courses in English) and requiring Russian language proficiency. The University of Latvia also organizes different activities for foreign exchange students which include introduction week, trips inside Latvia and journeys to the neighboring countries, thematic evenings and more. There is also a buddy system which helps exchange students integrate into the Latvian society and offers the opportunity to meet local students.

Location

Riga, Latvia

Term

Spring

Housing

Dormitory

Program Highlights

This study abroad experience is run through the International Student Exchange Program (ISEP), a network of over 250 institutions in over 50 countries. 麻豆影院 and ISEP have had a partnership for over 10 years. This partnership allows KSU students to apply to any of their programs.

Program Contact Information

Margaret Hosack

Education Abroad Advisor

Email: mhosack@kent.edu

Office Phone: 330-672-7982

Important Dates

Application Deadlines

ISEP鈥檚 priority application deadlines are:

September 15 for spring programs (approximately January till May).
March 1 for fall programs (approximately September till December).
March 1 for summer programs (approximately June till August).

Some ISEP Exchange programs and many ISEP Direct programs remain available after these deadlines. You can find specific deadlines on each program page.

Program Dates

Program dates vary based upon the host institution's academic calendar, but the following are general guidelines:

Fall: Approximately September to December
Spring: Approximately January to May
Summer: Approximately June to August

How Does an ISEP Study Abroad Program Work?

and life-changing, allowing students to gain cross-cultural understanding and respect for others.

ISEP offers an among a global community of universities in more than 50 countries throughout Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, North America, Oceania, and South America.

Students can participate in , , or for any field of study, as well as and .

With programs, you can go abroad anywhere in the ISEP network while paying KSU-equivalent tuition, housing, and meals. This then enables a student from another ISEP member university to take your place at KSU. You might be even able to apply for scholarships or financial aid that you normally receive toward your ISEP program abroad.
programs are often the best value available, offering low-cost options, guaranteed placement at the university of your choice, and a thoughtfully customized experience.

Application Process

Students will be required to complete three applications:

An internal 麻豆影院 State Education Abroad application.
An ISEP application.
And a partner university application.

These quick steps below will help walk you through the process.

First, start an Education Abroad Application

Students must also complete an international 麻豆影院 State application to participate in an ISEP program.
You can begin your OGE application by clicking the 鈥淎pply Now鈥� button.
Your Education Abroad application will be accepted upon ISEP placement (see below).
Please note that acceptance to the program by 麻豆影院 does not serve as final approval. ISEP and the host institution grant final approval for each applicant.

Then, start an ISEP Application

Students must create an ISEP account with their 麻豆影院 State email. From there, you are required to submit one single application through the for your program(s) of interest. Please follow the application instructions on the ISEP website.
Review the guide to better understand the ISEP Exchange application and placement process.

Next, wait for ISEP Placement

Once the ISEP application deadline has passed, students will be placed at one of their program(s) of interest. Each year, ISEP begins reviewing applications following their priority application deadlines on September 15 and March 1.

ISEP Exchange

For ISEP Exchange applicants, ISEP makes placement decisions based on exchange space available at each host institution and academic fit for the student.

Exchange applicants can expect to receive their placement notification within 2-4 weeks of the priority deadline.

ISEP Direct

For ISEP Direct applicants, there is no limit to the number of program spaces available, so chances of placement are excellent provided you meet the program requirements.

Direct applicants can expect to receive their placement notification within 1-2 weeks of submission, following the priority deadline.

Finally, complete the Host University Application

Once ISEP has placed you in a program, you will receive instructions directly from ISEP about completing an application for the host university.
Please note your final acceptance into the program is contingent on official acceptance from the host institution.
Confirmation of placement usually takes 3-4 weeks while the host institution reviews your application.

Transferring Credits

Transfer Credits

With this program, students enroll in courses at a partner (host) institution. You will need to transfer the credits you earn abroad back to 麻豆影院.

Upon successful completion of the program, the host institution will issue you an official transcript, which will be needed for the credit transfer process.

You must earn passing grades on the courses you take abroad for the credits to transfer.

Prior to departure, students will meet with their academic advisor to complete a Transfer Course Planning (TCP) Form, which will outline the courses you plan to take while abroad and how the courses will transfer to 麻豆影院.

Some courses have already been pre-approved for transfer to 麻豆影院 State and can be viewed on the Transfer Credit Guide. Please note that this is only a guide and is NOT a comprehensive list of courses available at each partner institution.

Credit Approval

Prior to departure, it is your responsibility to meet with your academic advisor to discuss the courses you plan to take while abroad.

If a course needs to be evaluated for transfer, you are responsible for working with your education abroad advisor to obtain the syllabus and have it reviewed by 麻豆影院 State faculty.

Financial Aid & Scholarships

It is possible to use your federal financial aid to go on 麻豆影院-approved education abroad programs. You can learn more on the Financial, Billing and Enrollment Center website.

It is also possible to use most 麻豆影院 State scholarships for education abroad costs. You can find education abroad scholarships on ScholarshipUniverse.

If you have any questions about using your financial aid and scholarships for study abroad, you can contact the Financial, Billing and Enrollment Center.

ISEP also offers for their programs, with many focused on underserved student populations as well as opportunities for students studying a language or in specific locations around the world.

Health & Safety

Pre-Departure Orientation

Prior to your education abroad experience, you will participate in a mandatory pre-departure orientation hosted by the Office of Global Education. During this orientation, you will be provided with information including but not limited to:

international travel procedures;
in-country resources;
health and safety resources and information;
culture shock and resources to help prepare for living abroad.

All students are encouraged to register with the prior to departure.

You can also review a wide variety of resources we鈥檝e pulled together for you on our 鈥�Before You Go鈥� page.

All ISEP students will participate in additional orientations which include:

A pre-departure health and safety orientation video;
A pre-departure program-specific orientation;
An on-site orientation with your host institution.

Keep an eye out for email invitations to these pre-departure orientations from your ISEP Program Coordinator.

Country Profile

ISEP provides a for all countries where their programs take place. We recommend you review more information about your respective country there.

You can also learn more about your destination(s), including travel advisories, through the .

In addition, we encourage you to visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) travel page for for traveling to your destination(s).

If vaccinations or medications are needed according to the CDC, you should make arrangements for appointments with your healthcare provider or the DeWeese Health Center as soon as possible.

Appointment openings at the DeWeese Health Center are limited and vaccines may need to be ordered, which takes time. Please note that not all immunizations are available at the DeWeese Health Center.

Visa Information

A visa is a document required by many countries, in addition to your passport, that allows you to enter the country for a certain purpose (whether that鈥檚 to stay, transit, or exit). Essentially, it is the country's government giving you legal permission to enter their country to travel, study, work, etc.

Please note, it is solely the responsibility of the student to:

determine the entry, transit, and stay requirements for the country or countries to which they will travel,
and to apply for any necessary visas, stay permits, or any other immigration requirements of the host nation(s).

It is also the responsibility of the student to:

verify the correct documentation required to apply for the required visa(s),
apply for the visa(s) early enough to ensure there is enough processing time,
and pay any fees associated with obtaining the visa(s).

麻豆影院's Office of Global Education is available to provide general guidance regarding student visa requirements and procedures; however, each student who travels abroad is expected to manage their own legal obligations regarding international travel.

It is strongly recommended by the Office of Global Education that you carefully review the appropriate consulate or embassy website for the nation(s) you plan to visit in order to determine current entry/study/exit visa requirements.

Costs and Funding

Costs for the program will differ for every student. You can use our Cost Calculator to get an estimate of what you might expect for your program.

We also encourage you to meet with your Education Abroad Advisor and reach out to Financial Aid the Financial, Billing and Enrollment Center to see how your aid may apply to an international program.

Your Journey is Just Beginning

Why Go Abroad