Iowa State University is located in Ames, central Iowa, just over half an hour away from Des Moines the state capital. Ames has been voted one of the best college towns in the US, and is the largest university in the state of Iowa. Alongside its strong academics, ISU offers plenty of fun campus activities to participate in. At ISU, you can experience the quintessential American college. From traditional brick buildings, to strong academics, to the excitement of a football or basketball game, ISU is an American university at its best. Walk around ISU’s beautiful campus on the way to class, with historical and modern buildings, fountains, sculptures and more throughout campus. It’s also easy to get a meal on campus with multiple dining halls, eateries for quick meals during the day, and food trucks on campus. As an ISU student, take the CyRide bus system around campus and the town of Ames for free. Join a student club or intermural sport team, it’s the perfect way to meet local and other international students.
It will not be possible to complete a year abroad at this University if you have any assessments, such as supplementary or deferred exams, during the August assessment period at Swansea University.
Who can study here?
Swansea has a ‘university-wide’ partnership with this university which means that it is open to all subject areas except for Classics, Education, Criminology, Social Policy, Economics, Law, Chemistry or Geography.
Spaces are not guaranteed, can be limited and all students on a semester/year abroad programme are subject to a university-wide, competitive selection process.
Important information
ACADEMIC YEAR: Runs August to May
COSTS: The cost of living in Iowa will vary depending on your chosen accommodation and your lifestyle. More information on costs can be found here.
VISA: You will need a J-1 exchange visa and will be required to provide financial evidence of at least $16,035 for the academic year. After your application has been processed, you will receive an acceptance letter and your DS-2019 in the mail.
To apply for a visa, you will need to pay a SEVIS fee of approx $220 plus an appliction fee of approx $185. In addition, you should factor in the cost of attending a visa interview at the US Embassy (typically in London). More information is available on the US Embassy website: https://uk.usembassy.gov/applying-f-1-j-1-visa/ You must allow enough time to complete the visa application and for your visa to be sent to you. There can be significant delays so please do not leave this until the last minute as you cannot travel to the USA without it.
ACCOMMODATION: Iowa State has two types of university accommodations. You can select from either as an exchange student. The first type is a more traditional American residential style in Residence Halls. In these halls, students share rooms and live communally on a floor. These halls are closer to the classes and central campus and most of these halls require you to have a meal plan.
ISU also operates university apartments at Fredricksen Court, called Freddy court. This option is good for exchange students who would prefer more independent living experience as all the apartments have a kitchen. The full list of university accommodation costs can be found on the Housing Rates page.
You can also sign up for a meal plan or dining dollars if you are living in an university apartment or are even living off-campus. There are multiple plans providing different number of meals and flexible dining dollars so it is easy to select a plan that will work best for you.
HEALTH INSURANCE: All international students must enroll in the ISU Student and Scholar Health Insurance Program (ISU SSHIP). Enrolling in health insurance through the sponsor (Iowa State University) of the J-1 visa is a requirement of the US State Department. Insurance plans purchased outside the university may be used for supplemental coverage, but cannot be substituted for the ISU plan.
USEFUL LINKS:
- Iowa State Homepage
- Iowa State Exchange Page
- Iowa State Accommodation Page
- Iowa State Student Support Services