Europe Travel> International Student Exchange Card (ISE)

Text by: Tanya Munshi
Image: Students traveling in Europe
Image by: mtnwa

Traveling through Europe can be very exciting. You keep jotting down all that you see and where all you have been by the Eurail. When you reach Paris you are pleasantly surprised that one of the student discount cards offers you discounts on the ticket to see the Eiffel Tower, up close and personal. Better still, while buying souvenirs for folks and friends back home you get meaty discounts on certain purchases. Now what kind of card could this be?
1
What is an ISE?
Recognized worldwide, the International Student Exchange Card (ISE) is just like the ISIC that offers discounts to young travelers for domestic/ foreign travel.
The ISE Card is the only international identity card that guarantees its discounts are at par/ exceed the amount, as stated by any retail establishment and in competition to other student discount cards. In case you have made a purchase where you find the discount is more than offered on the ISE card, then you will be refunded double the amount and your ISE card validity extended for another year, free of cost.
2
Discounts
Some of the benefits offered on an ISE card internationally are:

1. Discounts on sight seeing and tourist activities across Europe – such as 20% discount to all ISE Cardholders under the age of 25 and 20% on the Super Saver package on Mount Titlis in Switzerland etc.
2. Savings on the Eurail while traveling from one destination to another
3. Discounts on food, shopping, site seeing etc.
4. Calling card
5. Medical benefits
6. Hostel/ hotel reservations
7. Airline Bankruptcy Protection – being an ISE card holder, you will receive $2000 as airline bankruptcy protection on buying your air tickets.

Eligibility
There are three categories under which you can be eligible to apply for an ISE card:

Student – minimum age of 12 years and above. There is no upper limit, as long as the student is enrolled for a program for the current/ previous year.

Faculty/ teachers – all educational establishments are eligible to apply for an ISE card for their faculty and teachers. This is in case, our group ropes in a teacher to travel with them. (By the way, this is Merril’s idea.)

Under 26 years of age – this caters to those who are not students or faculty/ teachers, yet they are still eligible to apply for an ISE card – Youth Version. This Youth ISE Card does not provide discounts as it does for students/ teachers, but covers travel insurance and medical benefits.

Payment
You can buy an ISE card for $25 –Online – payment through debit/ credit cardPhone – (800) 255-8000 (toll free from North America and USA) and (480) 951-1177 (for all international calls)Mail – International Student Exchange Cards, Inc., 11043 N. Saint Andrew's Way, Scottsdale, Arizona 85254 Fax – (480) 951-1216. You have to download the order form (PDF format) form the website isecardAgent – You can contact your local student travel agent for an ISE card
In order to activate your ISE card, go to: isecard/activate

Documentation

• Photocopy of school identity card (it should be valid).
• Photocopy of your report card for the current academic year.
• Photocopy of proof of age, be it passport, driver’s license or student identity card, as long as your age is mentioned on it.
• Photocopy of your employment/ contract as a teacher/ faculty.