The agreement will result in GlobaLinks branding being phased out over the coming months, bringing the entire company under the ISA name by January 2015.

“GlobaLinks’ strengths in the Pacific region perfectly compliment ISA’s strengths in Europe and Latin America”

“Between ISA and GlobaLinks, we have over fifty years of experience in the international education arena,” Gustavo Artaza, ISA’s CEO and founder, said. “Our partnership will create an extensive portfolio of study abroad programmes worldwide.”

Programmes on offer will include study abroad, high school and degree programmes, and service-learning and internships, development and alumni services.

GlobaLinks’ existing destinations in the Asia Pacific and base in Rockhampton, Australia will provide access to new locations for ISA.

“GlobaLinks’ strengths in the Pacific region, as well as with their excellent internships and degree programs abroad, perfectly compliment ISA’s strengths in Europe and Latin America; building on-site infrastructure, service-learning, and faculty-led programmes,” Jimmy Brazelton, ISA’s Associate Vice President for Research and Strategic Alliances told The PIE News.

ISA is in the process of developing new offices in programme locations including Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Japan, Thailand and Greece, as well as hiring additional full-time, resident staff enabling them to replicate the ISA model in new locations.

“This major investment in on-site infrastructure will not only provide a greater degree of service to our students, but also deepen the collaboration with our host university partners,” Brazelton added.

“ISA and GlobaLinks just fit together so well”

With the merger, ISA’s affiliates now number more than 500 across the USA and Canada.

GlobaLinks founder and CEO Cynthia Banks will play a consulting role over the coming months and co-owner Sheila Houston will stay on in her role as Director in the Asia Pacific as senior management from the two companies work closely to manage the transition and oversee a joint staff of more than 300.

“Through this merger the vision to create and grow international education across a wide platform will be achieved,” Banks said.

“The new organisation will not only be able to enhance the services and opportunities for the students and university partners, but it will be uniquely positioned to contribute more to the field of international education than ever before.”

“ISA and GlobaLinks just fit together so well,” Brazelton commented. “By combining our organizations, we have the most comprehensive and diverse international education opportunities available to students and partner universities, as well as the domestic and international infrastructure to support all of these initiatives.”