Information for Exchange Students and Foreign Language Teaching Assistants

Thank you for your interest in studying as an exchange student or foreign language teaching assistant (FLTA) at Hiram College!

Students who attend one of Hiram's exchange partner schools may study at Hiram for one semester (about 4 months) or for the academic year (about 9 months). FLTA's are chosen annually by the Foreign Language Department and usually join Hiram College for one academic year.

The application process to join Hiram College as an exchange student or foreign language teaching assistant is detailed below. If you have any questions along the way, please contact us by email at interal@hiram.edu.

Application materials may be sent to:          Hiram College
                                                                Study Abroad Programs
                                                                PO Box 67 (11715 Garfield Street)
                                                                Hiram, OH 44234
                                                                USA

Fax: (US Country Code - 1) 330-569-5381

Application Procedure

Step One:    Complete and sign the Exchange Visitor Application Form.

Step Two:   Send the Exchange Visitor Application Form to Hiram College along with:

  • Official Transcript from your home university
  • Official TOEFL score report
  • A thoughtful essay of at least 250 words
  • One Letter of Recommendation from a faculty member at your home university
  • A clear photocopy of the biographical pages of your passport (name, date of birth, expiration date, passport number)
  • A completed International Student Profile
  • A completed Certificate of Finances form. Please read the instructions for completing the Certificate of Finances.
  • Supporting financial documentation (for example: an official bank statement) showing sufficient financial resources to fund your stay at Hiram College.  The amount of financial resources required to be documented will be determined on an individual basis per the exchange agreement or FLTA contract.  
Step Three:    Once all application materials are received and accepted, we will send a packet of information. The packet will include:
  • A Letter of Acceptance to the Exchange Program at Hiram College. Foreign Language Teaching Assistants will also recieve the FLTA Contract from the department inviting them to Hiram College.
  • A Notice of Award letter from Financial Aid
  • A Credit Card Payment form convenient for paying the $100 refundable housing deposit
  • A Form DS-2019, which is used when applying to the US Embassy or Consulate for an exchange visitor visa.
  • All original financial documentation which is required for the visa interview.
  • A detailed description of the required International student health insurance plan
  • Housing Contract Form with Living On Campus brochure
  • A folder called, Information to Know. This folder contains important pre-arrival information and the following forms to be returned to Hiram College:  Health History and Immunization Record, Friendly Family Program application (Optional), and the Arrival Form.
  • HC International, the international student handbook
Step Four:   Apply for the Exchange Visitor visa (J-1) and make your travel plans to arrive at Hiram College. The following web pages are designed to help you through this process: Pre-Arrival Planning and Arrival and Orientation.

Please keep us informed of your progress and any questions you may have. We look forward to your correspondence!

Sincerely,

Kimberly Mick                                 Taryn Hale
Study Abroad Coordinator             Coordinator for International Student Services

Additional Information