The Exchange Partner Program matches current Ohio State undergraduate students with incoming international exchange students. Interested students should be committed to helping exchange students feel at home on our campus and should show the desire to promote cross-cultural understanding at Ohio State.
If you are a current exchange partner wishing to continue in the program, there is a separate application process. Please contact Caroline Omolesky to request an application.
Who are exchange students?
Exchange students are international students studying at Ohio State on a short-term, non-degree basis, for one semester or a full academic year. Ohio State has active Student Exchange Agreements with the students’ home universities, and we send students abroad to these schools. The students enroll primarily in the College of Arts & Sciences but are majoring in a variety of disciplines. They come from various countries, including Australia, China, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, South Korea, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom.
What are the eligibility requirements to be an exchange partner?
- Ohio State undergraduate student in good academic standing (GPA of 2.0 or higher)
- Enrolled full-time for at least one semester during the 2025-2026 academic year
- Open-minded and committed to cross-cultural exchange
- Willing and eager to learn about other cultures
- Able to take initiative and work well with others
- Able to demonstrate a sustained interest in international affairs or cultures is desired, but not required
What do exchange partners do?
- Attend an orientation meeting in late April with the other exchange partners
- Communicate with your exchange student partner via email and other social media prior to their arrival in the United States. You’ll welcome them to Ohio State and answer any questions they may have.
- Once the exchange students are on campus, be a resource for your partner – help them understand how things work at Ohio State
- Meet in person with your exchange student partner at least twice per month
- Attend at least two events per semester with your exchange student partner where they could meet other students (Global Engagement events, events offered through student organizations, etc.)
- At least once per semester, take a trip off-campus with your exchange partner. For example, introduce your partner to an area of Columbus or an event in town that you enjoy (Short North, German Village, the zoo, a Blue Jacket’s game, a festival, etc.).
- Attend the exchange student snack hours throughout the term (with allowances made for class conflicts), and help your partner prepare the food for their country’s day
- If you notice that your partner is struggling academically or in any other way, or if you are concerned about your partner for any reason, email the exchange program coordinator, Caroline Omolesky
Note that some exchange students study at Ohio State for one semester, and some for a whole year. If your autumn semester partner is here for one term, you may be assigned to a new partner for spring semester.
Current exchange partner forms
Application
Applications for the 2025-2026 academic year are open through February 2, 2025. Note: students graduating in May or August 2025 are not eligible to apply. Please contact Caroline Omolesky with any questions.