RISD’s mission encompasses more than the education of leading designers, artists and educators: it also prepares young people of high promise to become responsible citizens of the world. In line with this mission, RISD provides opportunities for students to study a semester abroad at nearly 50 participating institutions in 22 countries (see list below). The experience of living and studying in a different country benefits and broadens a student’s global outlook. The following guidelines assist in understanding International Exchange (IE) and facilitating the application process.

APPLICATION DETAILS | INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE SCHOOLS

APPLICATION DETAILS [return to top]

Eligibility
When to apply
How to apply
Submitting the application
Tuition and services
Passport and Visas
When you return to RISD

Eligibility [return to menu]
International Exchange is available to full-time RISD students in their junior or senior year who are in good standing and meet the eligibility requirements of their specific programs. The student chooses which school he or she wishes to attend, but the school abroad retains sole discretion to accept or deny individual applications.

When to Apply [return to menu]
Students must apply one semester in advance. The application deadline for the fall semester is March 15. The deadline for the spring semester is October 15.

How to Apply [return to menu]
Students should visit the Office of International Programs (OIP) to obtain the most current information and specific course listings from schools abroad, it may be necessary to contact the school directly. Students must meet with one of the members of the OIP staff to discuss the electronic application procedure. Going on exchange also means that students must discuss the details of their remaining academic program with their department head as students are expected to fulfill all of their degree requirements while on exchange. Students, therefore, must receive approval from their department head in order to be eligible to go on exchange.

Submitting the application [return to menu]
The application consists of:
· two letters of recommendation
· statement of purpose
· portfolio
· official transcript

The letters of recommendation are to be written by faculty members from the student’s department. Each letter should speak to the student’s work ethic and skill level.

The statement of purpose should be a concise and thoughtful consideration of goals and reasons for seeking study abroad. It should discuss how the proposed program of study at the host institution would benefit the student’s artistic development and how it relates to his/her educational and career goals.

The portfolio must include at least 10 images of work in the proposed area of study. The individual images should include the title of the piece, medium and dimensions.

After the application has been submitted, it takes about six weeks to process. First, the application is reviewed by RISD’s International Studies Committee and then, if it is approved, it is sent on to the school abroad for a final decision. The exchange school then evaluates the application online and informs the OIP whether the student has been accepted.

Tuition + Services [return to menu]
Tuition and fees are paid directly to RISD. If applicable, you will receive the regular financial aid award to which you are entitled. You will not be eligible for student aid or employment from the host institution. You will be governed by the host institution's academic regulations.

Laboratory fees, student service fees or other fees may be charged by the host institution. These fees are payable directly to the host institution. Policies on these fees vary by institution and program. You must contact the host institution to determine which, if any, fees are required at that school.

Housing and transportation are your responsibility. Exchange students are responsible for arranging and paying for accommodations during their exchange semester.

Purchasing medical/travel insurance is required while the student is on exchange unless proof of comparable insurance policy is given. RISD offers its students coverage from HTH Worldwide (www.hthworldwide.com).

Passport + Visa [return to menu]
You must have a current passport. Visa requirements vary by country. It is your responsibility to obtain visa information and acquire the proper visa for study abroad.

When You Return to RISD [return to menu]
You must request that a transcript be sent to the RISD Registrar’s Office. Questions sometimes arise regarding credits awarded on exchange; therefore it is a good idea to keep copies of all your written work for courses taken on exchange. The OIP also requires that an evaluation form be filled out upon the student's return from exchange.

INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE SCHOOLS
Here is the list of schools RISD currently has exchange agreements with:

Australia
· Canberra School of Art (ANU) (www.anu.edu.au/ita)
· RMIT University (www.rmit.edu.au)
· Sydney College of the Arts (www.usyd.edu.au/su/sca)

Baltics
· Estonian Academy of the Arts (www.artun.ee)
· Latvia’s Academy of Art, Riga (www.lma.lv)
· Vilnius Academy of Arts, Lithuania

China
· Central Academy of Fine Arts, Beijing (www.cafa.com.cn)
· China Academy of Art, Hangzhou (www.chinaacademyofart.com)
· China National Academy College of Fine Arts, Shanghai University (www.echinaart.com/education/chinaartacad.html)

Czech Republic
· University of the Arts, Prague (www.vsup.cz)

Denmark
· Royal Danish Academy (www.kunstakademiet.dk)
· Denmarks Designskole (www.danmarksdesignskole.dk)

England
· Kingston University (www.kingston.ac.uk)
· Ravensbourne College of Design & Communication (www.rave.ac.uk)
· Winchester School of Arts (www.soton.ac.uk)

Finland
· University of Art & Design, Helsinki (www.uiah.fi)
· University of Technology, Helsinki (www.hut.fi)

France
· Beaux-Arts De Saint-Etienne (www.institutdesign.com)
· ESAG-Ecole Superieure D'Arts Graphiques et d'Architecture Interieure
· Les Ateliers
· Strate Collège (info@stratecollege.fr)

Germany
· Fachhochschule, Pforzheim (www.fh-pforzheim.de)

India
· National Institute of Design (www.nid.edu)

Israel
· Center for Technological Education, Holon (www.bgu.ac.il/osp)
· Bezalel Academy of Art & Design (www.bezalel.ac.il)

Italy
· NABA Milano (www.naba.it)
· Politecnico di MilanoID(www.polimi.it)
· Alchimia, Florence (www.alchimia.it)

Japan
· Kyoto Seika University (www.kyoto-seika.ac.jp/eng/)

Korea
· Ewha Womans University (www.ewha.ac.kr)

The Netherlands
· Academie St. Joost (www.abk.hsbrabant.nl)
· Gerrit Rietveld Academie (www.gerritrietveld.academie.nl)
· Utrecht School of the Arts (www.hku.nl)

New Zealand
· University of Canterbury (www.canterbury.ac.nz)

Norway
· National College of Art & Design, SHKS (www.chaos.shks.no)

Peru
· IES Toulouse Lautrec (www.toulouse.edu.pe)

Scotland
· Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design (www.dundee.ac.uk/djcad)
· Edinburgh College of Art (www.eca.ac.uk)
· Glasgow School of Art (www.gsa.ac.uk)
· Mackintosh School of Architecture (www.gsa.ac.uk)

Sweden
· Konstfack-University College of Arts, Crafts, Design and Art Education (www.konstfack.se)

Switzerland
· Ecoles d’Art Genève (info@eah.hesge.ch)
· ETH Zurich Architecture (www.ethz.ch)
· HGK Basel (www.hgkbasel.ch)

Turkey
· Bilkent University (www.bilkent.edu.tr)