IFYE Course

 

Course Description

What is the International First Year Experience (IFYE)?

U ST 110 International First Year Experience Seminar (IFYE) focuses on the transition to college in the U.S., available Iowa State University resources, American culture, and student personal development. The course material is presented through presentations facilitated by guests from various ISU departments and organizations. During class, IFYE Leaders will facilitate discussions, in-class activities, and learning experiences.

 

What is the purpose of IFYE?

The purpose of this course is to create an intentional space for new (freshmen) international students, where:

  1. Students will learn about academic resources, available student services, and social opportunities on campus that will provide students with beneficial advantages to increase the likelihood of success as undergraduate students at ISU.
  2. Students will be able to identify and persist through transitional challenges they may encounter upon arriving in the U.S.

 

What are the learning outcomes of IFYE?

By the end of the semester, the International First-Year Experience Seminar aims to:

  • Connect students to campus resources and peers
  • Serve as a platform for students to ask questions in a welcoming environment
  • Help students build a foundation for a successful academic career
  • Allow students to gain a better understanding of laws and cultural norms in the U.S.

 

IFYE Exemption 

University Studies 110, or IFYE, is a mandatory course for all incoming undergraduate international students; and is highly recommended to be completed within the first semester at Iowa State University (ISU). The class focuses on the topics that are important and useful for international students transitioning to living in the U.S. and attending ISU. Some students may be exempted from taking the course or be eligible for a waiver from taking the course. 

 

Exemption Criteria

In order to be exempt from the IFYE Seminar, a student must be able to demonstrate that they have met all of the learning objectives for the IFYE Seminar through either:

  • If the student transfers in 24 or more credits from a U.S. university (credits must have been taken in the U.S.)
  • If the student has graduated from a high school in the U.S.
  • If the student started at ISU prior to Fall 2016 in a degree seeking program when the course became a mandatory requirement  
  • Students that meet one of the above conditions can be automatically exempt from taking the IFYE Seminar course.

 

If you meet the criteria, you are exempt. It should be removed from your degree audit automatically, but in a situation where you still see it appear, please email ifye@iastate.edu and state your full legal name and student ID number, which exemption criterion applies to you, and provide the proper documentation proving your eligibility for the exemption. 

 

Questions

Please contact us at ifye@iastate.edu.