The Education Abroad Office celebrated some impressive milestone anniversaries with partner institutions this past year. These anniversaries are possible because of support from faculty and staff working with their counterparts at the partner institutions to create life-changing experiences for students looking to expand their horizons.

In 1987, the University of Memphis joined the International Student Exchange Program (ISEP) network. This partnership has provided opportunities for over 200 University of Memphis students to study and immerse themselves in another country and culture. The University of Memphis has hosted over 150 international students from the ISEP network. These students help us to internationalize our curriculum by bringing their culture and international perspectives to our classrooms.  

According to Georgia-based ISEP University Relations Manager, Graeson Dwyer, the core values of the ISEP network are to promote “affordability, accessibility and immersion while celebrating 40 years of being a bridge to helping students get abroad.” 

Most recently, the UofM received a grant to partner with the Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Occidente (ITESO), Mexico with support from ISEP.   

Other international partnerships we are celebrating anniversaries with include 25 years with the Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz and 30 years with the Catholic University of Eichstätt  in Germany.

The ongoing exchange program includes Eichstätt’s German language summer school. Three UofM students participated in the Eichstätt summer program in 2024.  

“I tell students that they have to go and will be supported along the way,” said University of Memphis Professor Dr. Tom Nenon. “It’s the easiest and most effective way to learn a language and it’s a great time to expand your horizons.” 

Not to mention Eichstätt is a beautiful Bavarian town on a river near a castle that is very walkable and close to other larger cities like Munich. As for how this relationship was brokered, Dr. Tom Nenon credits his wife University of Memphis Professor Monika Nenon.

In 1994, Monika traveled there regularly and really got to know the people which led to a great and longstanding partnership which is still very strong today, more than 25 years later.

“When students come home, they are changed and have a new outlook and confidence,” she said. “Studying abroad is very much key to language learning. Especially listening comprehension and speaking skills which are essential.”

It’s no surprise that both incoming and outgoing students at the UofM are thriving as the door to other countries and cultures is wide open and more available than ever before.