Study in the U.S.A. - Southeast (in English) - ISEP Exchange
As an ISEP student, you can build your own program by choosing your courses from a variety of fields. Use the notes for course searching to help you find which courses are available.
A distinguished and celebrated characteristic of Hendrix College is its emphasis on engaged learning. Through the co-curricular Odyssey Program, Hendrix students complete experiential projects in six topic areas: artistic expression, service to the world, undergraduate research, professional and leadership development, global awareness, and special projects.
ISEP students are welcome to learn more about life at Hendrix and the culture of Central Arkansas by exploring our website.
HOUSING
Housing benefits begin on the official date of arrival and last through the end of the placement period, inclusive of all examination and vacation periods, as well as the winter break period between semesters for academic-year students.
The residence halls will close during longer vacation periods (Thanksgiving Break, Winter Break, & Spring Break). Most students depart campus during these breaks, but ISEP students who submit a request to remain in campus housing during these breaks may do so.
*Calendar year students: housing/meal benefits are not provided over the summer break. Hendrix does not offer summer classes, but limited on-campus housing is available for an additional fee ($1,200 for summer 2024).
The Office of Residential Life coordinates on-campus housing for all exchange students, who reside in double-occupancy rooms in traditional residence halls and often room with U.S. students who are also new to Hendrix. There are shared bathrooms/showers on each floor plus community lounge/study areas and laundry facilities. Exchange students are typically placed in Couch Hall (co-ed), Galloway Hall (women), or Raney Hall (women), where they have access to basic shared kitchens when the dining hall is closed on Saturday evenings and during school breaks. Local restaurants are within walking distance in the Hendrix Village and in downtown Conway.
MEALS
The Office of International Programs provides meals from the official arrival date through orientation. At the start of the semester, a full meal plan (20 meals/week) will be applied to your Hendrix ID card, which you may use to enter the dining hall for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The dining hall is closed for dinner each Saturday evening and during longer vacation periods (Thanksgiving Break, Winter Break, & Spring Break). Local restaurants are within walking distance in the Hendrix Village and in Downtown Conway.
*Calendar-year students are not eligible for ISEP housing and meal benefits over the summer break.
Course Description
Hendrix is proudly committed to liberal arts education, a tradition that began in ancient Greece and continues to prepare young people for engaged citizenship and to succeed in a global world.
The following programs are particularly recommended: American and British literature (including lectures by prominent writers and literary critics), history, and politics. Business, Computer and Information Sciences, and Psychology are also very strong. The small size of the college and its excellent laboratory facilities provide opportunities for advanced undergraduate research with individual guidance. Hendrix also provides low-cost music lessons to its students.
Students attending Hendrix are encouraged to join the Volunteer Action Committee (VAC), a student-led organization that organizes volunteer and service projects for Hendrix students on and off campus. There is a Buddy program attached in which students are paired with community members to be a consistent mentor and friends within VAC. Also, students are able to participate in undergraduate research by working with their professors and ISEP to curate an Academic Training plan within their field of study.
Credits Earned
The academic program is arranged so that the normal course load is 4 whole-credit courses per semester, and each course is worth 4 U.S. credit hours. Exchange students must pursue at least 3 whole-credit courses per semester to maintain full-time status and remain in good standing with J-1 visa regulations. Students who complete the program in good standing can expect to earn 12-16 US credits. Students typically enroll in 3-4 courses per term. A term runs for about X weeks. To determine how these credits convert at your home institution, please contact your home university coordinator.
If you use financial assistance, please speak with your home coordinator to understand your academic obligations and the requirements for using financial assistance.
Sample Classes Available:
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Psychology |
Sociology |
English Literature/Literature |
Humanities |
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Introduction to Psychology |
Sociology of the Family |
Poetry |
Race, History, Hendrix |
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Developmental Psychology |
Race and Ethnicity |
Literature and the Environment |
Indigenous Politics in the Americas |
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Social Psychology |
Sociological Research Methods |
Literary Analysis |
Philosophy of Political Inquiry |
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Cross-Cultural Psychology |
Social Inequality and Identity |
Modern American Poetry |
Religion and Violence |
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Research Methods |
Social Changes/Social Movements |
Theory: Black Feminism after Slavery |
Social Justice in Theater |
For detailed instructions on how to search for all available courses, please click on the "other academic conditions" dropdown link below.
Academics
Other Academic Conditions
Academics
How to search for courses:
The course schedule website provides a list of all courses on offer and can be accessed without Hendrix login credentials. Courses for the upcoming academic year are typically published in March. We suggest taking the following approach when searching for courses:
1) Make sure you select the appropriate Year and Term. For example, selecting 2025 as the year will show you course offerings during the 2025-2026 academic year. Selecting 1S (first semester) as the Term will show you Fall 2025 courses. 2S (second semester) will show you Spring 2026 courses. If you want to see offerings in a particular department, filter by Subject next.
2) Sort by Course Code to arrange courses by level, which generally corresponds to the class standing the course is suitable for. For example, a 100-level course is intended for first-year students but also for students who are looking for an introduction to a field.
3) Look at the Enrollment column to see the number of currently enrolled students, along with the capacity of the course. If a course is full, it will appear in red.
4) Under the Title column, click on the course title to see a more detailed description of the course and list any prerequisites you need to have met to enroll in it. Enrollment in courses with a prerequisite is subject to the instructor's permission. For consideration, you will need to outline how you have met the prerequisite, referring to particular courses on your home institution's transcript to the Office of International Programs at Hendrix.
5) When exploring your potential schedule, pay attention to the Scheduled and Meetings columns. They contain information on the day and time of each course, and this will help you prevent any time conflicts. Note that "T" refers to courses that meet on Tuesdays and "R" to courses that meet on Thursdays.
There are several programs that complement course offerings through public lectures and readings, community conversations, and special events. The Hendrix-Murphy Foundation Programs in Literature and Language enrich the study of literature and language at Hendrix by bringing acclaimed writers, poets, translators, literary critics, editors, playwrights, literary scholars, and theatre directors to campus. The Marshall T. Steel Center for the Study of Religion and Philosophy provides opportunities for the campus community and visiting scholars to discuss the theological and philosophical issues of our time. In their weekly discussion series, a wide variety of topics are examined, including politics, art, social issues, and scientific questions.
Exchange students may also pursue up to 2 quarter-credit activity courses, e.g. physical activity or musical activity, that do not contribute toward the full course load. The Music Department offers private applied music instruction in piano, organ, voice, and standard orchestral and band instruments. Weekly half-hour lessons are available to all students, including beginners, for a modest fee.
Academic limitations:
ISEP students may only take courses at the undergraduate level while attending Hendrix College.
Academic Calendar
Typical fall Schedule: Mid-August through Mid-December
Courses start: Mid-August
Courses end: Early/Mid-December
Exams: Mid-December
Typical Spring Schedule: Mid-January through Early-May
Courses start: Mid-January
Courses end: Late-April to Early-May
Exams: Early-May
Departure Notes
Students are responsible for staying until the end of the semester and may not leave before the final date of their semester exams. Neither ISEP nor Hendrix can guarantee an early departure; leaving early may result in a failing exam grade and/or forfeit of credit.
PASSPORT: All students must have a valid passport to participate in this program. If you do not have a valid passport, we suggest you start the application process as soon as possible.
VISA: All non-U.S. citizens will be required to obtain a visa. For more information on the process and estimated cost, please review the ISEP Country Handbook here.
Semester & Prices (based on your filters)
Select a semester to calculate the price. Semesters are named according to host university's calendar.Semester Tuition
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