Exchange at RISD for Visiting Students

The majority of your academic credits will be in the department to which you apply. If your schedule allows, you may enroll in RISD Liberal Arts courses or studio electives in other departments, as space is available. Please note, preference for non-major studio courses will be given to full-time RISD degree-seeking students, for whom these courses are required.

Should you choose to purchase an on-campus housing or dining plan, a student account will be created for you so that you can be billed directly for those expenses. On-campus housing is not guaranteed (see below). Meal plans are available for purchase for on-campus and off-campus students, but are not required.

You will be required to pay for your travel and visa fees independently, and to purchase international travel health insurance, separately, upon instruction from RISD. See below.

Health insurance coverage is mandatory for your US visa application and RISD’s chosen policy for exchange students meets these mandatory requirements outlined by US Immigration.

All accepted students will have access to RISD’s Health Services on-campus clinic, as well as RISD’s Office of Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), which provides a range of mental health services to help students improve and maintain their emotional, interpersonal, and academic functioning.

OISS will contact you upon acceptance with further instructions.

RISD Residence Life staff members are available to provide students with information on housing options—both on campus and off—and help with resolving any issues that may arise in residences.

Please see additional information for on-campus and off-campus housing below:

RISD On-Campus Housing FAQs
Off-Campus Housing

On-campus meal plans are available for purchase. Learn more about available meal plans and pricing and check out the on-campus dining options on the RISD Dining website.

Providence is comfortable and easy to navigate, with seven colleges and universities making it very student-focused. Students often take advantage of day trips to Boston, New York or beautiful beaches as appealing options for inspiration and recreation.

Providence is full of interesting old colonial architecture, artists’ lofts, great restaurants and distinctive ethnic neighborhoods—from the Italian section on Federal Hill to the Portuguese community in Fox Point and enclaves of resettled refugees from Liberia and Southeast Asia in South Providence and Elmwood. RISD students generally choose to live in neighborhoods within a mile of campus—often in 18th- and 19th-century homes on Benefit Street and College Hill, and in Fox Point, Wayland Square and other areas of the “East Side”. Most students walk or bike everywhere they want to go, though public city buses are also available to RISD students at no cost. In the city’s West End and Olneyville neighborhoods—and in nearby Pawtucket—RISD alumni and others have transformed old mill buildings into artists’ collectives, lofts, performance spaces, galleries, bars and restaurants.

You will find a range of film, food, music, theater and arts options to choose from, many a short walk or bike ride from campus. Independent and experimental cinema reigns at the nearby Avon Cinema. AS220, the city’s eclectic community arts center, brings together adventurous gallery shows and live music with a popular restaurant/bar just around the corner from the award-winning Trinity Repertory Company. Downcity is peppered with music and dance clubs, and many old mills in Olneyville and on the West End offer converted spaces for local bands. Creative hubs like the 3D studio and educational center The Steel Yard, New Urban Arts and Big Nazo Lab have RISD connections—and many more welcome students and alumni to get involved.

risd:store
The risd:store carries a wide variety of art supplies, as well as digital and office supplies, convenience items, and a large selection of RISD-imprinted clothing and gifts. Also located inside the store is RISD Works a retail collection featuring a rotating selection of work by RISD alumni and faculty.

risd:store 3D
This essential supply store stocks a wide variety of materials and supplies used in 3D studios from ceramics to glass, jewelry, sculpture and woodworking. Plywood, hardwood, plexiglass, glass and metal rods can be cut to size for next-day pickup. Knowledgeable and dedicated staff members are always on hand at the risd:store 3D to help source materials and answer questions.

The Office of International Student Services (OISS) advocates for international students, advising them on a wide variety of experiences related to studying in the US and at RISD in particular.

Our office of Intercultural Student Engagement (ISE) promotes cultural awareness, dialogue and interaction to foster inclusivity and understanding. Working closely with faculty, staff and administrators, ISE advises student-led cultural groups and helps students to develop strong leadership skills.

RISD ISE also provides resources and support for LGBTQQ students. RISD offers a welcoming environment for students who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning. Members of RISD’s LGBTQQ community get together regularly through a number of student groups and organizations—including RISD Feminists, SHARE (Sexual Health and Relationship Educators) and the Queer Student Association (QSA)—providing programming, education, social activities and support.

RISD is committed to embracing the diverse range of religious beliefs and spiritualities held by our students, including those of no faith. RISD ISE helps students, faculty and staff connect with their religious communities in Providence and assists anyone wishing to continue their religious + spiritual practices while at RISD. Our community also enjoys connections with a number of religious organizations at neighboring Brown University and beyond.

Buses: With a RISD ID card, students, faculty and staff can ride RI Public Transportation Authority (RIPTA) buses anywhere in the state for free.

Ride-sharing: On-demand transportation in Providence and throughout Rhode Island is available through Uber and Lyft.

E-Bikes + Scooters: Use a mobile app for short-term e-bike and e-scooter rentals to zip around the city, available through JUMP and Bird.

Zipcar: Thanks to our partnership with zipcar, students get a discount when they join and have access to vehicles at dozens of convenient locations on or near campus. Great for day-trips!

Amtrak Train: RISD is a short walk from the Providence Amtrak Station, where you can catch a train from Providence to NYC (and beyond) daily and enjoy the city’s world-famous museums, galleries and cultural landmarks in just over 3 hours – or less when if you take Amtrak’s Acela Express.

MBTA (Boston) Commuter: Students can take a one-hour ride to scenic Boston on the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority Commuter Rail to enjoy world-class dining, shopping, arts and culture while taking in the city's rich historical character.

Interstate Bus Service: Travel to New York, Boston, and throughout the country is also available through Greyhound, Peter Pan, Megabus and other commercial bus lines that depart from downtown Providence.