ISEP Ambassadors

This pilot program began in Fall 2006 in an effort to tap into the excitement of the returning ISEP students. By sharing their experience with prospective study abroad students, they can help students prepare for going abroad and motivate others who are perhaps not sure about going. They can also be mentors for incoming international ISEP students, which allows them to continue their international interactions. A short outline of the program:

• ISEP Ambassadors are returned students chosen by ISEP staff or Coordinators to volunteer on their home universities.
• Ambassadors will be invited to participate each July, so Coordinators should send their suggestions when requested in May/June.
• Ambassadors are asked to participate in the program for one academic year.
• All Ambassadors are required to participate in the study abroad fair or other presentation on campus and to give permission for their email address to be given to other students. They are also required to perform two additional volunteer activities, with an emphasis on helping the incoming ISEP students. A list of activities and guidelines are on the Ambassador section of the website.
• A written report and activity log will be completed by the students at the end of each semester. Coordinators will also be asked to submit comments about their Ambassadors at the end of the year.
• Based on the above, an ISEP Ambassador of the Year will be chosen. The recipient of this award will receive a $500 travel voucher.

See the ISEP Ambassador website in the Student/Alumni section for complete information. Email Joanne Kramb if you need a list of 2006-2007 ISEP Ambassadors and their contact information.

ISEP Facebook

If you haven’t heard of Facebook, it is one of the most popular networking/friendship websites on US university campuses today. It is slowly spreading internationally, but it is used mostly in English speaking countries. Any student (or Coordinator) can use Facebook if they sign up for a free account. Once logged-in, they will be able to access the ISEP Facebook Group.

The ISEP Facebook Group was created in conjunction with the ISEP Ambassador program. As a worldwide network, ISEP students also need a venue to be part of the entire network. Facebook provides this opportunity for them. By joining our online group, they can post messages and questions to other ISEP students around the world. This allows the Ambassadors to help students at any ISEP campus, not just their home university!

Facebook is also a great resource for Coordinators. For any student at your university, you will probably be able to see their profile. This puts you in touch with today’s students – their interests, their thoughts and needs…and other crazy things that college students do. On that note, it’s important to know that the ISEP Facebook group is completely moderated by ISEP staff – this means we can delete anything inappropriate on our group’s site. A few ISEP Coordinators have even used this idea to make a Facebook group for their specific university. From our group, you can find San Diego State as a good example.

Over 900 ISEP students are signed up so far, so we encourage you to direct your students there. There is a link from the ISEP homepage, or if they just log into www.facebook.com they can search for ISEP. Then they can post their photos, ask questions, and help and motivate each other. Let’s get them connected!