Why are ICU students still able to graduate in four years even if they study abroad on the exchange program?

The aim of ICU's exchange/study abroad programs are not to study a language but to deepen one's learning in the liberal arts by taking classes together with local students.

For this reason, with approval, students may credits obtained at their host university be approved for a maximum of 40 credits transferred as credits to be put toward their degree, allowing them to graduate in four years.

ICU currently has partnership agreements with 84 top-level universities in 31 countries and regions (as of March, 2025). The highlight of our programs is that, as well as taking courses in the same area as their own major to deepen their specialized learning, students are able to take classes that are not offered at ICU. With program places available for about one-quarter of the 620 students in each year level, many of our students head off to study abroad every year.