About IFSA

A proven leader in global education

The Institute for Study Abroad (IFSA), a leader in education abroad, was founded on the campus of Butler University as an independent nonprofit in 1988 to deliver high-quality international experiential learning programming.

IFSA serves thousands of students annually with nearly 200 rigorous programs across 19 countries. The institute emphasizes cultural understanding through experiential learning and also provides comprehensive student support services via highly experienced resident staff in each country where it operates.

Butler serves as IFSA’s university of record for academic experiences and transcripts, endorses courses, reviews programs, and contributes as a member of both the Strategic Advisory Council and the IFSA Board of Directors. Butler Overseas, as its own distinct program, also provides its own academic and student support infrastructure alongside IFSA’s, such as mental health services and career development and mentorship.

This partnership ensures that students receive academically rigorous, fully accredited coursework, upholding the high standards of a Butler education while broadening access to global learning opportunities.

How does IFSA make Butler Overseas possible?

During semesters abroad, Butler Overseas leverages IFSA’s well-established sites, on-ground support infrastructure, and expertise to deliver a seamless, high-quality student experience across diverse global locations.

Local IFSA staff have deep knowledge of the region, language, and everyday essentials to help students feel prepared and confident in their surroundings.
Most locations include a central IFSA space where students can attend classes, connect with peers, and find a comfortable place to study.
Each site includes immersive learning opportunities that introduce students to the cultural, historical, and natural richness of the location.

Families can feel confident knowing IFSA has dedicated systems in place to support student health, safety, and well-being in each location.
IFSA provides guidance with key logistics like travel documents, local cell service, and other country-specific requirements.
IFSA and Butler share a strong commitment to inclusion and accessibility, offering support tailored to students’ diverse backgrounds and needs.

Over its decades of impact, IFSA has forged meaningful partnerships with over 70 host universities and local institutions around the world.
Students receive IFSA-led orientations before arrival, on site, and upon departure to help them navigate transitions with thoughtfulness and intentionality.
In addition to the Butler Overseas curriculum, tuition includes access to unique local experiences designed to enrich learning and build meaningful connections to each place: such as ancient Mayan archeological sites in Merida or the Colosseum when in Rome.

Meet your IFSA directors

James Illingworth

Director for England & Wales Programs

James earned his undergraduate and master’s degrees in French from the University of Oxford and a doctorate in French literature from Queen’s University Belfast. A Model UN trip to the United States and a research project in France sparked his love for travel and all things French culture. He spent a year abroad in France as a student but is always planning his next global adventures.

Kevin Kriebel

Director for Italy Programs

Kevin obtained his bachelor’s degree in German literature at the University of Delaware, and he later pursued his master’s degree in Northern and Italian Renaissance and Baroque art and architecture at the University of Pennsylvania. A product of study abroad, Kevin was awarded a stipend to study for one year in Bavaria, Germany, and finished his undergraduate career in Siena, Italy. Subsequently, he received a Fulbright Teaching Assistantship in Salzburg, Austria. He has since lived and worked in five countries.

Agustín Eisele

Director for Argentina Programs

Agustín obtained his undergraduate degree in Psychology and then earned a master’s in Cognitive Behavioral Psychology. An avid ski enthusiast, he spent nearly two years working in the Colorado mountains before traveling to several Latin American countries, his favorite being Bolivia. He believes studying abroad has the power to transform individuals, who, in turn, can change the world.

Valeria Güémez Graniel

Director for Mexico Programs

Valeria earned a master’s in Public Policy and Administration from Center for Research and Teaching in Economics (CIDE), building on her bachelor’s in Social Anthropology from the Autonomous University of Yucatán. Her first experiences abroad took her to several U.S. cities for leadership and education programs, followed by a semester of cultural immersion in Seoul, South Korea.

Sandy Fagan

Director for Australia Programs

Sandy earned a Bachelor of Science in Recreation Administration from California Polytechnic State University and a Master of Education in Educational Management and Leadership from the University of Sydney. Her career in international education began with an internship in Switzerland, and it’s taken her across Europe, Australia, and beyond. She’s visited 40+ countries and is currently exploring Asia.

Tilak Jayatilake

Associate Director, Sri Lanka

Tilak earned his undergraduate degree in Economics from the University of Peradeniya in Sri Lanka. He has three postgraduate diplomas in Library Science, Counseling, and Conflict Resolution and Communal Harmony from the University of Kelaniya in Sri Lanka. Tilak has over 25 years of experience helping American students and has traveled to India, the Philippines, and the United Arab Emirates.

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