The Knowledge Exchange Institute was founded in 1997 as a New York State educational corporation, on the belief that study abroad should go beyond liberal arts education and cultural exchange to include discipline-specific studies and professional development.

From the beginning, KEI worked to develop all-inclusive programs that integrate English-taught academics, internships and cultural interaction. Our goal was, and continues to this day, to provide an international experience that allows students to complete major-specific requirements and gain practical experience while enhancing their understanding of the world through cultural and social immersion.

KEI's "Medicine, Health and Biomedical Research Program" and the "Science, Mathematics and Engineering Research Program" at Moscow State University in Russia were opened in the fall of 1998. Since than, KEI has expanded its offerings to more than 25 program concentrations in Bulgaria, China, Ecuador, England, France, India, Ireland, Kenya, Peru, Russia, Spain, Tanzania and Thailand. New programs in Bahrain and Turkey are scheduled to open in the near future. We continue to develop programs around the world.

KEI also expanded its scope to include a wider range of academic disciplines and professional areas. KEI now offers programs that focus on psychology, sociology, international business, e-commerce, diplomacy, mass communication, journalism, fine arts, graphic design and fashion design as well as science, math, engineering, medicine, health and computer science. KEI continues to expand its offerings to include other academic majors and professions.

While it has not always been easy, our mission, goals and values have not wavered. We are committed to providing quality international education programs that are distinguished by their academic and professional opportunities.

KEI's mission is to further global education through international programs that focus on discipline-specific courses and professional opportunities. Our goal is to make study abroad accessible to all students, regardless of academic major, foreign language proficiency, educational level, and financial means.

Subject-Specific Courses
KEI programs offer a large selection of lower and upper division undergraduate, and graduate level courses in distinct disciplines, including science, mathematics, medicine, health, engineering, computer science, psychology, sociology, education, international business, e-commerce, diplomacy, mass communication, journalism, fine arts, graphic design, fashion design and architecture. KEI also offers unique language and humanities programs that incorporate extensive cultural excursions and interaction and personal involvement in the host region.

No Foreign Language Requirement
All KEI programs are conducted in the English language, including courses and many internships. Students also have the option of enrolling in courses and internships in the official language of the host country. KEI encourages students to take at least one foreign language and one humanities course, in addition to major-specific courses, in order to help them assimilate into the host culture and society.

Internship Placement
We believe that study abroad should go beyond cultural exchange and liberal arts education. Increasingly, students are looking to gain international insight and practical experience in their future profession. This is why KEI programs offer internship opportunities and integrate professional visits with the academic curriculum.

Comprehensive Programs
KEI strives to make study abroad a hassle-free and safe experience for students. All programs include academic and internship fees, access to academic facilities and materials, two program transcripts, orientation, housing, pre-departure and on-site support, mobile telephone, comprehensive medical and travel insurance, airport welcome and transfer, and sightseeing and cultural excursions in the host region.

Affordable Programs
We understand that studying abroad can be an expensive endeavor, but it doesn't have to be. KEI negotiates tuition discounts for our programs, and passes the savings to our students. Our program fees are all-inclusive and reasonably priced, often costing less than the academic tuition at U.S. universities. KEI also offers scholarships and financial assistance to qualified students.

Commitment to Quality
KEI partners with reputable universities, academies, research facilities and organizations abroad. We make it a point to never use "stand-in" faculty to teach our courses. KEI participants learn from professors who normally teach local students at the host institution. After all, it is the expertise of the faculty that attracted us to select each host institution in the first place.

Commitment to Service
Students come first! While there are many factors to consider during the development and operation of a program, we always balance our decisions with students' needs. We make reasonable promises, and we deliver on these promises.

Commitment to Diversity
We endeavor to welcome students on our programs from diverse backgrounds, which reflects the ethnic and cultural complexity of our increasingly global world. To this end, KEI has entered into partnerships with Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College and other HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities). We've also partnered with funding institutions, such as Bardoli Global, that offer study abroad scholarships and leadership programs to African-American, Hispanic and Native American students.