1. What are your application deadlines?
2. What kind of academic prerequisites do you require?
3. Will I be able to get credit for my major?
4. What is the academic structure like?
5. Will I be able to use the financial aid I normally get for my college?
6. Is there financial aid available from IHP?
7. Can I receive graduate credit?
8. Can I do this program even if I have already graduated from college?
9. Do I need to know another language?
10. Will I be able to get a sense of every country if I am only there for 4-8 weeks?
11. What visas will I need and when do I apply for them?
12. What immunizations will I need?
13. Will I need my laptop computer during the program?
14. Will I have access to e-mail?
15. How much free time will I have?
16. How do I plan my vacation?
17. Can my parents visit me?
18. Can I speak with a returned student?
1. What are your application deadlines?
IHP has moved to a rolling admissions process to accommodate students who must declare their intention to study abroad early to meet their college or university requirements. The admissions committee will review complete applications as they are received in the IHP office. IHP urges those interested in applying for financial aid from IHP to submit their application as soon as possible. Some programs also may fill long before the published closing dates, so please be sure to submit your application early.
Late applications are considered on an individual basis depending on available space on the requested program. If the deadline has passed for the program in which you are interested, please contact the IHP office to determine if space is available.
Admissions Closing Dates:
March 15: For all fall and full-year programs
October 1: For all spring programs
2. Do I need to have a certain major or are there other academic prerequisites?
You do not have to have a particular major to participate in IHP. IHP does not have any course prerequisites or GPA requirements. Typically, IHP has students from a wide variety of majors (Arts, Social Sciences, Natural Sciences, Philosophy, English, etc.). It is important that you have demonstrated an interest in the theme that you will be studying on the program.
3. Will I be able to get credit for my major?
How your credits transfer depends upon your major and your college or university. You should speak with your study abroad advisor and your academic advisor to discuss how the IHP credits may transfer. It is a good idea to provide past syllabi to whomever is approving your credit transfer so he or she may review the content and assignments of each course.
4. What is the academic structure like?
Attending IHP is unlike attending college or university at home. The schedule usually runs from 9am-5pm five days a week, with one free afternoon. Students have lectures and engagements with a variety of individuals including traveling faculty, in-country coordinators, and guest speakers from the host country. Guest lectures and site visits comprise a strong portion of your academic experience. IHP assignments consist of a variety of written and oral exercises, readings, discussions, and field-based observation and data gathering.
5. Will I be able to use the financial aid I normally get for my college?
To find out if your school transfers their aid, you should contact your study abroad office and your financial aid office. Federal aid often can be transferred to assist with the cost of the IHP program, and many colleges and universities will also transfer their institutional aid to IHP. You should also check to see if your school can put you in touch with external financial resources (fellowships, scholarships, grants, etc.) . Some of these scholarships have early deadlines for which you will need to prepare far in advance.
6. Is there financial aid available from IHP?
Students may apply for need-based IHP grants. IHP awards are applied toward the program fee. Grants range from $100 to $8,000; dollar amounts vary depending on the student’s circumstances. Grants are typically around $2,000 and do not exceed $6,000 except in cases of extreme need. Students requiring financial aid are encouraged to apply far before the admissions closing date. To apply, students must submit an IHP Grant application with supporting documentation. All IHP Grant application materials should be sent to IHP. The deadlines for IHP Grant applications and general admission are the same. Generally, grant application decisions will be mailed at the same time as the admissions decision. More information on applying for an IHP Grant and the grant application can be found here.
7. Can I receive graduate credit?
Whether and how the credits will transfer is subject to the policies of your graduate school. Some students have been able to use IHP coursework toward their graduate degree.
8. Can I do this program even if I have already graduated from college?
Yes, IHP has had post-bachelor students participate, and students are not required to be currently enrolled as undergraduates. The major concern for post-bachelor students may be financial. If you are not enrolled in a college or university, you may have to be a bit more creative when searching for aid.
9. Do I need to know another language?
No, all of IHP’s lectures are conducted in English or through an interpreter. You will also be provided with “survival” language lessons in each country.
10. Will I be able to get a sense of every country if I am only there for 4-8 weeks?
It is true that you are traveling extensively during much of the IHP program. By living with homestay families, speaking with leaders and community members, and participating on locally-led site visits, IHP students receive access to cultures that few other visitors are granted. IHP provides opportunities that bring you to the core of each country and culture. You will be amazed at the types of connections you develop to places and people, and the importance of these relationships developed in a relatively short period of time.
11. What visas will I need and when do I apply for them?
You are responsible for obtaining a passport and the appropriate visas. You will need a valid passport to apply for visas and your passport must be valid for at least six months after the program ends. If you do not have one, you should apply for one immediately. Prior to the start of the program, IHP will send a several pre-departure bulletins to accepted students. The bulletins outline the visa application process for the countries where one is needed. Visa requirements are subject to change and you are responsible for understanding all requirements.
12. What immunizations will I need?
Immunization requirements vary by country, and some countries may require proof of immunization before entry or issuance of a visa. It is REQUIRED that you consult your physician, with an IHP itinerary in hand, prior to departure. Much of this information will be outlined in pre-departure Bulletins, emailed to accepted students prior to the start of the program. For further information, contact a travel medicine specialist, the Travel Clinic Directory (http://www.travmed.com ), or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (http://www.cdc.gov/travel/ ) or call 877-FYI-TRIP.
13. Should I bring my laptop computer on IHP?
Students are discouraged from bringing computers on the program. Computers place an additional burden on you for carrying equipment and may also create additional concerns and distractions. Handwritten assignments are the norm during the program.
14. Will I have access to the internet?
You should not expect to have regular access to e-mail. There may be internet cafes that you can seek out to use, but IHP neither provides nor guarantees access to internet.
15. How much free time will I have?
Generally students will have one free afternoon per week for errands and banking. You will also have two consecutive free days each week, generally Saturdays and Sundays.
16. How do I plan my vacation?
Students are fully responsible for organizing their own independent travel arrangements. Country Coordinators give students tips for enjoyable and safe vacation options. Students must advise the coordinator and the faculty about their plans for weekends and vacation, and must also keep their hosts advised of anticipated arrival and departure times.
17. Can my parents visit me?
Parents or friends are welcome during vacation or free weekends. When appropriate and convenient to faculty, coordinators and guest lecturers, they may sit in on a class. It is IHP policy that students are not excused from IHP for these visits; unexcused absences may result in a lowering of the course grade. Guests are not permitted in homestays or on field trips.
18. Can I speak with a returned student?
Absoluately! Please call or email the IHP office to receive a list of IHP alumni from the program you would like to apply to, and we will try to match you up with someone from your university or hometown.