One of the main objectives of the university, as stated in the strategic plan, is to prepare its graduates with an ability to function in a global society. In this endeavor, a number of Cal Poly colleges and departments have established individual exchange agreements with a variety of universities around the world.

Exchange programs can play a significant role in the internationalization of the department and college. Cal Poly students are offered a low-cost study abroad experience within their own academic discipline and students from the partnering university have an opportunity to study at Cal Poly, while bringing their world to the Cal Poly classroom. The Cal Poly community is enriched by the diversity and cross-cultural understanding that exchange participants bring to our campus.

Exchanges operate on a 'one to one' basis, where incoming international students take the seats of the Cal Poly student studying overseas. Therefore, through exchanges we can increase the number of international students without displacing the number of California residents coming to Cal Poly.

In an exchange agreement, the two universities agree, in the spirit of goodwill and reciprocity, to cooperate in the area of educational research in order to strengthen ties between the universities and to promote academic and cultural exchange. The exchange agreement can provide a mechanism for faculty exchange, joint research projects, and student exchange.

If you are a faculty member at Cal Poly and would like to establish a new exchange agreement with an overseas university, IEP staff can assist you in the process. If this is your first time initiating and establishing a new exchange program, you will want to meet with Dr. John Battenburg. You can set up an appointment with Dr. Battenburg by phone at 805.756.2945 or by email at jbattenb@calpoly.edu.

IEP strongly recommends that you notify your department head/chair and dean of your intent to initiate a new exchange program. The support of your department head/chair and your dean is critical in establishing and maintaining a thriving and successful exchange program.

The information included on these webpages have been prepared to assist campus faculty in the establishment of exchanges between Cal Poly and universities abroad.