International Student Identity Card
Encyclopedia
The International Student Identity Card (ISIC) is a photo identification
card that identifies the holder as a full-time student. It is currently a form of identification that is internationally recognized (though not accepted at many establishments as proof of age).
Cardholders gain access to special discounts with many companies, particularly on travel-related services such as airplane
s, bus
es, train
s, ferries
, and rental cars. Other discounts are for museum
s and cultural sites, various attractions and entertainment, hostel
s and hotel
s, and bar
s and restaurant
s. Microsoft's DreamSpark program provides free copies of many full-featured development tools, such as Visual Studio 2010 and SQL Server 2008, to ISIC holders.
As a guide price, cards cost $22 in the US or £9 in the UK. In the United States, cards come with international travel/medical insurance, hence the increased cost. In Canada, the usual price of the card is $20 which is waived by being a full-time student at certain Universities .
The card is issued by the ISIC Association, which describes itself as "an international, not-for-profit membership association of the World Youth & Student Educational Travel Confederation". The ISIC Association reports that it has issued almost 45 million ISIC cards since the early 1960s.
ISIC is endorsed by UNESCO
.
If an individual is not a full-time student, but aged under 26 or is a full-time teacher or professor, the International Youth Travel Card (IYTC) or International Teacher Identity Card (ITIC) could apply. The IYTC and ITIC offer similar benefits, services and savings to the ISIC card.
Photo identification
Photo identification is generally used to define any form of identity document that includes a photograph of the holder.Some countries use a government issued card as a proof of age or citizenship.Types of photo ID cards include:*Passports...
card that identifies the holder as a full-time student. It is currently a form of identification that is internationally recognized (though not accepted at many establishments as proof of age).
Cardholders gain access to special discounts with many companies, particularly on travel-related services such as airplane
Fixed-wing aircraft
A fixed-wing aircraft is an aircraft capable of flight using wings that generate lift due to the vehicle's forward airspeed. Fixed-wing aircraft are distinct from rotary-wing aircraft in which wings rotate about a fixed mast and ornithopters in which lift is generated by flapping wings.A powered...
s, bus
Bus
A bus is a road vehicle designed to carry passengers. Buses can have a capacity as high as 300 passengers. The most common type of bus is the single-decker bus, with larger loads carried by double-decker buses and articulated buses, and smaller loads carried by midibuses and minibuses; coaches are...
es, train
Train
A train is a connected series of vehicles for rail transport that move along a track to transport cargo or passengers from one place to another place. The track usually consists of two rails, but might also be a monorail or maglev guideway.Propulsion for the train is provided by a separate...
s, ferries
Ferry
A ferry is a form of transportation, usually a boat, but sometimes a ship, used to carry primarily passengers, and sometimes vehicles and cargo as well, across a body of water. Most ferries operate on regular, frequent, return services...
, and rental cars. Other discounts are for museum
Museum
A museum is an institution that cares for a collection of artifacts and other objects of scientific, artistic, cultural, or historical importance and makes them available for public viewing through exhibits that may be permanent or temporary. Most large museums are located in major cities...
s and cultural sites, various attractions and entertainment, hostel
Hostel
Hostels provide budget oriented, sociable accommodation where guests can rent a bed, usually a bunk bed, in a dormitory and share a bathroom, lounge and sometimes a kitchen. Rooms can be mixed or single-sex, although private rooms may also be available...
s and hotel
Hotel
A hotel is an establishment that provides paid lodging on a short-term basis. The provision of basic accommodation, in times past, consisting only of a room with a bed, a cupboard, a small table and a washstand has largely been replaced by rooms with modern facilities, including en-suite bathrooms...
s, and bar
Bar (establishment)
A bar is a business establishment that serves alcoholic drinks — beer, wine, liquor, and cocktails — for consumption on the premises.Bars provide stools or chairs that are placed at tables or counters for their patrons. Some bars have entertainment on a stage, such as a live band, comedians, go-go...
s and restaurant
Restaurant
A restaurant is an establishment which prepares and serves food and drink to customers in return for money. Meals are generally served and eaten on premises, but many restaurants also offer take-out and food delivery services...
s. Microsoft's DreamSpark program provides free copies of many full-featured development tools, such as Visual Studio 2010 and SQL Server 2008, to ISIC holders.
As a guide price, cards cost $22 in the US or £9 in the UK. In the United States, cards come with international travel/medical insurance, hence the increased cost. In Canada, the usual price of the card is $20 which is waived by being a full-time student at certain Universities .
The card is issued by the ISIC Association, which describes itself as "an international, not-for-profit membership association of the World Youth & Student Educational Travel Confederation". The ISIC Association reports that it has issued almost 45 million ISIC cards since the early 1960s.
ISIC is endorsed by UNESCO
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
.
If an individual is not a full-time student, but aged under 26 or is a full-time teacher or professor, the International Youth Travel Card (IYTC) or International Teacher Identity Card (ITIC) could apply. The IYTC and ITIC offer similar benefits, services and savings to the ISIC card.