WorldStrides Custom Programs

On-Site Staff

The full-time resident staff assists students with all aspects of their experience abroad. The resident staff provides support during official course registration and arranges the Bridging Cultures Program orientation, excursions, weekly meetings, cultural activities, and much more. Staff members are trained to ensure the well-being of each program participant and are dedicated to facilitating a positive and meaningful study abroad experience.

24-Hour Emergency

Health, Safety and Security (HSS) for ISA students is jointly managed by our resident staff and HSS team. This team works to monitor risk at program locations, respond to any crises that may arise and develop policies to further ensure the health, safety and security of students abroad with ISA. HSS also facilitates an in-house on-call system with a U.S.-based employee and manager who are on-call and available in case of emergency 24-7.

ISA regular office hours are Monday through Thursday, 7:00am - 7:00pm and Friday, 7:00am - 5:00pm Central Time. For students or parents who need assistance in an emergency situation outside of the regular office hours, please call the ISA office at 512-480-8522 to access the ISA emergency contact information for that particular week. Students who experience an emergency while abroad will also have access to on-site staff 24-hour emergency assistance. 

Housing & Meals

The amount of meals and frequency of laundry services vary per location. Meals and laundry services are provided with most homestays. For more details, please refer to the housing information for that particular program.

International Airfare

International airfare is not included in the ISA program price, however students and faculty may book airfare individually, or your university may choose to book group airfare through a travel agent.

Should your university prefer to book group international airfare for the program, ISA has launched a partnership with STA Travel and can connect you with STA dedicated group agents for an estimate. Please note, however, that airline schedules are not released until approximately 300 days prior to the travel dates. If you are interested in working with STA Travel, or for additional information, please contact your Custom Program Manager.

Academic Visits

Academic site visits to local businesses, companies, historical sites, and organizations can also be arranged to improve experiential learning outcomes. Many faculty leaders are opting to include these types of learning experiences outside of the classroom to broaden the cultural understanding of the host country, and to underscore their curriculum.

Excursions & Cultural Activities

This section and related links are designed to provide parents and guardians with answers and information about ISA's programs. This is a resource for learning about ISA, what's included in the programs, and how to handle financial aid and health insurance. ISA is pleased to provide alumni comments and contact information to facilitate dialogue between past and present participants and their families. The main section of the website also includes additional information about ISA admissions, program prices and dates, other resources, and up-to-date announcements

International
Medical
Insurance

A Blanket Accident and Sickness Policy is included in the price and covers the program participant while abroad for the official on-site period of the program. This is not an optional benefit; every participant will be covered by this policy. A full description of coverage can be found on the ISA website. Note that some EuroScholars countries may require you to purchase additional medical insurance for visa purposes.
We recommend that all program participants maintain comprehensive health insurance while abroad. This is particularly important if you have any pre-existing conditions, but is also beneficial if you have an injury or illness while abroad and require further treatment upon your return home. Consult with your current insurance provider to confirm coverage policies while traveling abroad.

Guest Lectures

ISA can arrange for a guest lecturer to come to your classroom to speak on your course topics.