Discover new horizons, meet students from all over the world, and immerse yourself in a different culture.
Istec Business School’s programs allow you to take courses in English, participate in academic exchanges, complete internships abroad, or work on intercultural projects to develop your language and professional skills.
Istec’s international mobility programs offer students the opportunity to enjoy a unique academic and cultural experience. Whether it’s a semester abroad at a partner university, an internship, or an intercultural collaborative project, each experience allows students to develop linguistic, professional, and personal skills.
Beyond academic learning, these experiences foster independence, cultural awareness, and the ability to thrive in a global environment. They prepare students to meet the challenges of an increasingly internationalized professional world and enrich their academic journey with concrete and valuable experiences.
When I was told that these last three months would be the best moments of my life, I didn’t really believe it! But now I don’t want to leave and I’d love to relive the unforgettable experiences I was lucky enough to have in Milan. During this European semester, my daily life is very fast-paced. The Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore is a school with very interesting and varied courses, and the quality of student life is more than enjoyable. I can say that Milan has become my second home.
This semester at ISB in Dublin has started wonderfully. The school is friendly and the teachers are excellent instructors. It has a real family atmosphere; it’s a small, close-knit school that genuinely cares about each student, much like ISTEC. Dublin is a welcoming city and its people are very friendly. We went to Galway with the school for a weekend and it was great fun. I hope the remaining two months go as well as the last one.
For my Master’s degree at ISTEC, I chose the international track, which took me to Buenos Aires, Argentina, for my second semester. It’s been an incredible experience to discover a different education system, different courses, and a new culture. I chose five courses focused on Latin American culture and economics. I’m so grateful to be here; I’m meeting people from all over the world, and I’m traveling extensively throughout Argentina and South America. I’ve always been drawn to discovering the world and new cultures, so I’ve adapted very easily and am thoroughly enjoying this unique experience.
I chose to spend a semester abroad to experience being an Erasmus student. For the second semester of my fourth year in the Grande Ecole Program, I had the opportunity to study at Niels Brock University in Copenhagen, Denmark. The campus is located right in the historic city center, and I got there by bike (the main mode of transport in Copenhagen). The professors were welcoming and always there for us. It was an incredible and unforgettable experience; I met wonderful people and discovered a cosmopolitan and unique city. Danes have a reputation for being reserved, but I ended up meeting kind and friendly people. Being a foodie, Denmark allowed me to discover culinary specialties like Kanelsnegle (cinnamon buns) and Smørrebrød (open-faced sandwiches on dark bread with various toppings). I took advantage of this semester to spend a weekend in Oslo, Norway. I visited the city and strolled along the edge of a frozen fjord. I hope to return to Denmark someday and explore the country more thoroughly.
The diverse range of courses offered at the institution allowed me to find courses that aligned with my academic background. I was also able to take courses taught in English, which enabled me to progress from a B2 to a C1 level.
Furthermore, on a personal level, this exchange program allowed me to develop independence and maturity. Professionally, this experience confirmed my desire to work in an international environment. Therefore, my advice is to make the most of your time abroad and discover as much as possible about the country and its culture.
The diversity of courses at the institution allowed me to find courses compatible with my studies. In fact, the English courses enabled me to progress from a C1 to a C2 level in just one semester. However, I did encounter some difficulties, such as being under 21, which limits many options, but fortunately, many activities are for those over 18.
On a personal level, I was able to discover aspects of my culture that I had missed during my personal development. This experience abroad made me realize that I could build my career in the USA. Therefore, I advise you to complete your homework, stay in a dorm at Village or UPS, join a fraternity/sorority, and say “yes” to every opportunity.
International exchange students do not pay registration fees at the host university, but remain liable for Istec tuition fees. Depending on the destination and program, a tuition supplement may be applied by the partner institution, generally between €500 and €2,000. Other expenses should be anticipated, including accommodation, transportation, insurance, visa fees, and the cost of living. Some partner universities offer accommodation options, but do not cover the rent.
Financial aid may be granted depending on the destination and the student’s profile: Erasmus+ grant, international mobility grant (CROUS), or funding through the OPCO for students in work-study programs. The allocation of this aid depends on eligibility criteria and available funding.
Students in the Grande Ecole Program (PGE) can apply for an exchange from their second to fifth year, while those enrolled in a Bachelor’s program can apply in their second and third years. It is also possible to exchange during a doctoral program.
Depending on their year of study, students are offered various international exchange options, both mandatory and optional.
Please note that work-study placements are not eligible for the Erasmus+ program.
If you are required to complete an internship as part of your studies at ISTEC, you can do so during your exchange program, provided you find a suitable host organization and ensure your visa permits it.
If this is not possible, you can also arrange to complete the internship before or after your exchange, taking into account various factors such as the dates of your exchange, the duration of the internship, the deadline for submitting your internship report, etc.
Please note that the International Relations Department does not manage internships abroad. For any questions, please contact the Registrar’s Office or the Corporate Relations Office.
Yes, Istec allows international mobility for students in work-study programs, subject to certain conditions.
To be able to go abroad, you must:
• Your company’s agreement: Your employer must approve the period abroad. An addendum to your contract may be necessary depending on the duration and the destination country.
• The mobility must fall within the periods scheduled by your program (academic exchange or internship). The teaching staff will assist you in identifying the available options.
• Compliance with administrative requirements: Depending on the destination, certain procedures may be required (visa, insurance, compensation arrangements, social security, etc.).
The options are as follows:
• Study mobility: The work-study student will study at a partner university and complete modules required for their degree.
• Internship mobility: The work-study student will complete a 2-month internship in an international company. This may be a branch of their home company.
Note that work-study placements abroad may qualify for Erasmus funding, as may internship and academic mobility. However, the work-study contract abroad must not exceed one year, nor half the total duration of the contract.
During your exchange, you will take courses offered by the partner institution and chosen by you. Some partners have a pre-defined program for international exchange students, but in most cases, you will need to select a few courses, related to your field of study, from one or more programs available at the partner institution.
Depending on the country, you may also need to take language courses.
Your course selection must be compatible with your major and will be validated by Istec. Therefore, you must choose an exchange university based on your major.
Indeed, you will need to establish a learning agreement before your exchange, in accordance with your Istec curriculum. There is no exact equivalency for courses, so you will need to find courses that are as close as possible to your program.
As part of an Erasmus+ or International exchange program, a semester or year of study does not allow you to obtain a degree from the partner institution. The degree awarded will therefore remain that of ISTEC.
Only double-degree exchanges allow you to obtain a degree from the host university.
The host institution will send you, at the end of your exchange, a transcript of records as well as a certificate of attendance.
Depending on the destination, a certain level of proficiency in the local language may be required for your exchange. In all cases, it is essential to be proficient in the language in which you will be taking courses, which may not be the language of the host country.
Generally, the minimum requirement is a B2 level of English. You will find more details on the partner information sheets.
We strongly advise you to take language courses the year before your exchange. Intensive English courses have been offered at Istec since autumn 2025. Language immersion programs are also available with some of our partners.
Depending on the destination, you may be required to take a language test (TOEFL, IELTS, etc.) and obtain a specific score – several destinations require a minimum score of 500. Otherwise, a B2 level in English and/or the language of the host country is required, validated by a language proficiency certificate provided by Istec.
Please refer to the list of destinations sent to you and the International intranet for specific requirements for each partner institution.
In all cases, we advise you to request a language proficiency certificate from one of your language teachers several months before your departure.
Please note that if your mobility is mandatory as part of your program, the first TOEFL exam will be covered by Istec (subject to your actual departure). For voluntary mobility and a second attempt at the exam, you will be responsible for your registration and payment. Plan to register for this test by the end of August at the latest for a mobility starting in January, as the results must be included in the application file.
You can select three partner institutions, in order of preference. Please refer to the list of destinations sent by email, which corresponds to your year and program.
The number of students sent on individual exchanges is limited to two per destination.
For group departures, a maximum of 12 students per destination is permitted, in order to ensure a balanced distribution and allow everyone to fully benefit from their semester abroad.
Once the application period has ended, your choices cannot be changed. It is therefore essential to rank them carefully according to your order of preference.
If you are shortlisted for your second choice, this means that your first choice was not accepted. This shortlisting automatically cancels your third choice.
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