Common Study Abroad FAQs

When will students have time to visit home?
For First Year Abroad(FYA) students, the best time to visit home would be in December, during winter break. Visit our FYA page to see exact program dates and breaks.

 

How can I contact my student during his/her time abroad?
Michelle Futo, a Student Recruiter, wrote a great article on this earlier this summer so check out her post at this link (nolereservations.blogspot.com/2015/06/how-to-alleviate-your-parents-worries.html). When I was abroad I chose to FaceTime from my sister’s iPod with my whole family in the room. Check out your options and consider whichever is best for your situation before you go abroad.

 

What about money?
In our three Europe locations, students will need to take out local currency (Euro for Valencia and Florence and the British pound for London). Paying in cash is highly recommended since many banks and credit card companies will charge a fee for using a credit card outside of the U.S. Speaking from personal experience, I would say to go to your local bank and buy $300-400 worth of currency before you go abroad. It’s good to have some money when you arrive, so you’re not scrambling around looking for an ATM the first couple of hours in your new home.

Throughout your trip you will want to make withdrawals of currency. Make sure you do this in larger increments to make it worth the convenience fee. Keep money you won’t be using in your safe in the residence hall room and be sure not to carry more than $50 worth of money with you around town.  

I would also recommend making a budget before you go and to discuss this with your parents about money before you leave so no one is taken by surprise. Use Google Docs to write your budget written down and share it with your parents.This organization will help you keep track of spending.

Contact your bank as well so you don’t have to worry about any denied transactions while you’re abroad.

 

How many hours will I have to take abroad?
Program fees cover up to 16 hours in the Fall and Spring and 3 to 16 hours in the Summer semesters. In order to receive Bright Futures or Florida Pre Paid, you will need to enroll in a minimum of 12 hours for Fall and Spring and 6 hours for Summer. FYA student's program fees cover up to 49 credit hours. FYA students must complete minimum of 36 FSU credit hours and maintain a 3.0 GPA in those classes in order to receive in-state tuition upon return to FSU. Please note, credit hours vary based on programs and length of stay. Please refer to our website for the specific amount of credits included.

Closer to your program date, you will receive an email telling you to register for classes as well as specific instructions on how to find the classes offered in your abroad location on the my.fsu.edu page.

 

Is English spoken in the program locations?
All classes (except language classes) will be taught in English. Although, there is no guarantee that the citizens around you will be proficient in English. Make sure you buy a phrasebook or download an app like Duolingo to help learn some of the language. I can’t stress how important it is to learn some basic phrases (and possible responses to those phrases) in case you get lost. Most taxi drivers will not speak English so be sure you know how to get to your destination and back in the local language (including cities you visit outside of your study location); also have the address written down in case you can’t pronounce the address. Knowing those key phrases goes a long way to making a good impression on the people of your host country.

 

What can I expect in my classes when I study abroad?
When you study abroad, many of your classes will be taught by FSU professors or local faculty. These people are experts in their particular course subject . Therefore, you can expect classes to be very similar to the ones you are taking at the Tallahassee campus. Classes abroad, however, are much smaller than in Tallahassee. So small, that your absence or tardiness will be noticed and may negatively impact your grade. Textbooks are also very important when you go abroad. The best idea is to purchase them before you leave and bring your textbooks overseas. Shipping textbooks from the US is not advisable since the package will have to go through customs where you may be charged more than you paid for the textbook. Also, the book may not arrive until several weeks after your program starts (for this same reason we recommend that parents do not send their students care packages while abroad).

Since class sizes are very small and you are most likely in a city full of things to do, you will be walking around the city for a lot of your classes. Professors like take advantage of the opportunity to show students city highlights and how they apply to the course content. Bring clothes and shoes that are comfortable for walking!

 

Will I be picked up and dropped off at the airport at the beginning and end of my program?
Your program fees will include airport pickup for most locations. If, for some reason, your flight will not arrive in time for pickup, you will need to find transportation to the study center on your own. A few months before you leave, you will be emailed a pre departure information packet. In this packet there will be specific airport pickup times. The packet will also include instructions on how to get to the airport pickup location and how to get to the study center. The FSU International Programs department suggests printing out this packet and keeping it in your carry-on in case something happens to your luggage.

Since everyone will have different travel plans, there is no group drop-off at the airport at the end of the program. However, when you check out of the study center, the program assistants will call you a taxi to get you safely to the airport.  

 

What travel documents will I need to travel Europe?
To enter the country for your program, you will need a passport. When traveling outside of your host country, you will need to bring your passport as a form of identification. Before you leave, make a photocopy of your passport for your parents or guardians to keep in case of an emergency. When you get to the study center, they will also make a copy of your passport for their record. When traveling, keep your passport in a carry-on bag but not in a front pocket for maximum accident protection.

 

What do I pack?
The main thing you need to pack for your time abroad is a rain jacket (or umbrella) and a couple pairs of comfortable walking shoes (you will be walking A LOT). Do some research on what type of converter you need for electronics and bring the appropriate one. If you’re traveling in the summer, you may want to bring sunscreen and/or bug spray. You will also want to bring a laptop, many assignments need to be done online; our study centers all have wifi available for students.

Electric appliances like hair dryers, straighteners, etc. should not be brought over.

Written by: Kevin Smith, 2015-2016 Student Recruiter

FSU International Programs Valencia 2005

 

 

The style in 2005 might be different, but Valencia, Spain is the same now as it was then- incredible! Check out this video to learn about some of the excursions from 2005 that this program continues today. This is a great blast-from-the-past video that shows so much of what Valencia has to offer. For more information about the Valencia program visit http://fla.st/1G0h54Z.

Peter Jones Joins the Valencia Faculty in Summer 2016

Peter Jones

 

President

Franklin Templeton Distributors, Inc.

            Peter Jones graduated from FSU in 1977 with a bachelor’s degree in accounting. He is a trustee of the Florida State University Foundation and serves as chairman of the investment committee.  Mr. Jones joined Franklin Templeton Investments in 1989 and was promoted to President of Franklin Templeton Distributors, Inc., on January 1, 2000.  His previous roles included Director of Sales and National Accounts Manager. Prior to joining Franklin Templeton Investments, Mr. Jones was President of IDEX Distributors from 1984 to 1988 (now part of Transamerica Funds).  He also was a tax manager and CPA for Price Waterhouse from 1977 to 1984. Peter Jones will be teaching the Financial Management of the Firm and Personal Finance courses in Valencia, Spain this summer. 
   

Florida State University Panama City Presents Faculty Abroad with Mike Wallace

Faculty member, Dr. Mike Wallace, tells all as he travels to Valencia, Spain this summer! Follow along as he encounters flight delays, jet lag and more during his journey abroad.

http://pc.fsu.edu/About-Us/Faculty-Abroad/Faculty-Abroad-Mike-Wallace-in-Valencia-Spain

City of Arts and Sciences
Valencia, Spain

Getting to Know the Locals in Valencia

By Parker Gordon

Valencia is an extremely authentic city, which separates itself from the metropolises of Madrid and Barcelona. Flocks of tourists are nonexistent which are common sightings in the Catalonian capital as well as Madrid. Meeting locals is something I wanted to experience on a personal basis.  Everyone who engages in the FSU-Valencia program has his or her own passions and desires that brought them there in the first place. Some students choose to solely study within the FSU study center and partake in the nightlife Valencia offers. I, on the other hand had a thirst to absorb the language and the native Valencian’s values that separate them from us Americans.

If you are extremely passionate about the Spanish language and have the desire to really sense what a Valencian thinks, please take advantage of the Intercambio sessions that usually occur nightly at the beginning of the week. Intercambios are when you meet native Valencians or Spaniards in a real-life social setting to help improve each other’s language skills. These sessions provide a relaxed and comforting environment to meet locals on a first name basis while speaking a foreign language. Everyone present at these sessions is extremely open to meeting new people as well as critiquing your language skills in a respectful manner. Each day, I would apply something I learned in class into the real-life conversations that are provided in an intercambio session. In addition, if something puzzles you regarding Spanish, feel free to try and clear up any confusion you are having with a native Spanish speaker. These were truly the most rewarding part of my weeks in Valencia and were the best way to truly interact with the locals.

Meeting locals does require knowing some Spanish to help converse and navigate your way around the city. The best word to describe meeting locals is certainly, “proactive”. Besides intercambio sessions, you can head to the local soccer pitch or basketball courts and really experience the adolescent flavor of what Valencians are truly like. The intercambio session offers a mostly older crowd who are looking to improve their English speaking skills, while engaging in athletic activities shows what the younger people are like. In addition, the beach is always a tremendous hotspot to interact with the locals. Volleyball and soccer games are the norm when strolling up and down the Mediterranean coast in Valencia. Aside from the beach and the athletics aspect, cafes offer a vibrant atmosphere for some flowing conversation over a café con leche.


Please be proactive regarding your experiences in Valencia. Time flies and you really want to make the most of it. No one should ever feel unsafe or unwelcomed by the natives of Valencia or Spain in general. This is a truly amazing country with so much to offer and the FSU-Valencia program is among the best in the country!

Student Spotlight: Lauren Stuart

Lauren Discusses the Academic Benefits Associated with Studying Abroad

 

When Lauren decided she wanted to spend her entire freshman year abroad at the age of 18, she never anticipated how much of an impact the experience would have on her future. Living and studying in Panama, Republic of Panama and Valencia, Spain with FSU exposed her to a life of adventure, new friendships, and a different outlook on her field of study. “I always knew I wanted to do something in Meteorology, but never had a specific branch in mind.”

 

While in Panama, Lauren decided to enroll in International Affairs and Environmental Problems and Economic Development. The International Affairs course prompted Lauren to take scientific concepts and look at them from different perspectives. Her final project entailed analyzing climate change using various international perspectives. The Environmental Problems and Economic Development course focused primarily on current environmental problems Panama faced. “The knowledge gained through those classes helped me discover a hidden desire to study the societal impacts of weather and climate in developing countries,” she says.

 

Now, as a junior, Lauren continues to see the benefits of studying abroad. As a Meteorology and Geography major, she recently won a scholarship from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. She credits the selection to her essay about her abroad experience. “I believe my time abroad helped me stand out as an applicant. It helped me grow as a student, global citizen, and future researcher. I contribute the nine months I spent in Panama and three months I spent in Valencia to the numerous opportunities I have received while back in the states.” One of those opportunities includes joining the International Programs Student Recruiter team at FSU. She looks forward to working on academic research and completing a Honors in the Major Thesis while sharing her passion for international travel with fellow students during her remaining years at Florida State.

This photo was taken of Lauren while she was studying in Panama

Hidden Treasures in Valencia: Miguelete Tower

By Christina Reynolds

Every day is a new adventure when exploring the streets of Valencia. You may find yourself discovering a new cafe or admiring a hidden work of graffiti, but if you’re feeling really adventurous, you can find yourself walking 207 steps up for the best view of Valencia the city has to offer.

Located in the heart of the Plaza de la Reina, the Miguelete tower is the bell tower attached to the Cathedral of Valencia, and currently stands as Valencia’s tallest religious structure. From the outside, the gothic style building does not seem like too much of a journey to the top. Yet once inside the narrow walkway, the winding, spiral staircase may feel like it’s never ending. Yes, it felt claustrophobic at times. And yes, you may have a slight panic attack when other groups of people are heading in the opposite direction as you. But once that streak of light comes into sight that reminds you how close you are to the outside, it will all be worth it.

The bell tower stretches out to an octangular terrace at the top, providing a 360 degree view of everything Valencia has to offer. On one side, you’re looking at the historic Torres de Serranos and the area of your current home, and further in the distance, a look at the famous Cuidad de Artes y Ciencias. Embrace your inner tourist and take as many pictures as possible, even if your camera can’t quite encompass the experience of being up there.

So go ahead and enjoy the breeze, take in the scenery, and bask in the beauty that Valencia has to offer. The trek might take a toll on your legs, but I promise, the view is worth the climb.

Hidden Treasures in Valencia: Bioparc Valencia

By Christina Reynolds

It’s the same feeling every time you’re visiting a zoo. You inch as close to the fence as possible, stretching to attempt to touch each animal as they stare back at you with a face that only makes your heart melt. Imagine a controlled environment in which you were a part of the animal’s habitat, and not vice versa? Welcome to Bioparc Valencia.

Focusing on their concept of zoo-immersion, Bioparc Valencia differs from your average zoo. They pride themselves on immersing the visitor in the habitat of the animal, allowing for an open environment and very natural feel. Although visitors are still an arms distance from the animals, their homes are easily adaptable and provide striking similarities to their original ecosystems. Bioparc Valencia actively participates in the conservation of a species ecosystem, believing that preserving its habitat is essential to saving its species. Additionally, each habitat provides in depth information and interactive teaching techniques regarding its animals, not only assisting visitors with an exciting experience, but an educational one as well.

Get a feel for the African savannah, equatorial forest, Madagascar and the African wetlands all in the center of Valencia. From zebras and hyenas to giraffes and gorillas, the park offers visitors a multitude of animals to visit. For only a two and a half mile journey from the study center and only 24 euro for admission, you can enjoy the day feeling like you’ve embarked on an African safari.

Want to get a little closer? Here’s a friendly tip: giraffes love to eat the grass surrounding their habitat. Grab a handful and reach as far as you can, and if you’re lucky, maybe one will snack on what you’re offering!

“Free” Restaurants in Valencia

By Quinton Campbell

While living in Valencia, it’s impossible not to notice the wide variety of dining options that are available. Not only are most of them located near the study center, but they’re very affordable on a student budget, especially when one accounts for the meal tickets, or “cheques,” included in the program fee when studying with FSU.  Not only are there a wide variety in cultural cuisines within the city limits of Valencia, but these cheques are also accepted in major cities all over Europe. This not only helps the budget during independent travel, but since it’s already been paid for, I know I personally felt more inclined to go out on a limb and eat at a restaurant that I might not have tried originally had I been paying directly out of pocket for my meal. Here’s a short list of restaurants within walking distance from the study center in Valencia that accepted cheques while I studied there:

Walk-to-Wok (Chinese)

Pizza Gratis (Italian)

Fressco (Pizza, Pasta, and Salad buffet)

Wok Quing (Chinese)

Pan de Queso (Spanish)

There’s also a Greek restaurant that serves gyros and shawarmas a block away from the study center that accepts cheques but I can’t remember what it was called!

Those are just to name a few of the ones I was aware of, and there are most likely more restaurants that have started accepting cheques (or more restaurants in general that have opened near the study center) within the year and half since I have been there. The restaurants that accept them are really easy to spot as well. When I was there, there were orange signs on the front door that indicated if cheques were accepted there, and this came in handy during the weekend excursions (also provided in the program fee) to Barcelona and Madrid when we were unfamiliar with the restaurants in the area. Again, they’re accepted widely across Europe, so make sure to bring an extra cheque or two with you if you travel independently on weekends to other cities. However, DON’T travel with your entire book of cheques because they’re essentially as good as cash; if you lose them, they’re non-refundable. Definitely take advantage of this aspect of your program fee, because not only have you already paid for it but it really gives you the opportunity to get a feel for the cuisine of the neighborhood on a budget. If all else fails and you have a lot of cheques left at the end of your semester, you have an excuse to eat like a king during your last weekend in Valencia! Buen provecho!

Navajas - The Perfect Spanish Getaway

By Morgan Welsh

Are you an outdoors type of person? 

Looking for a nice place to hike and see some waterfalls? 

Hiking in Navajas

Then Navajas is the place for you! From the Valencia Train Station you can catch a train to Navajas for about 8 euros. It drops you off in a small little town with several specialty shops and delicious family owned restaurants. It’s about a 10 minute walk to the Park. You have to walk down a few trails and eventually you’ll come to waterfalls, a swimming hole and several different hiking paths! The best part was being able to walk under waterfalls and jump off rocks into the swimming hole. If you’re looking for a getaway from the city of Valencia for a day, Navajas is definitely a place to look into! 

The Swimming Hole

My Everything-But-Typical Day

By Leen Doumet

As cliché as this might sound, I can’t really say I have a typical day here in Valencia. Every day here is so atypical to what I’m used to that it’s hard to generalize all my days into one. But, here’s a typical Tuesday!

On Tuesdays I have my Spanish grammar and composition class at 9am. After class, a group of friends and I partake in our Tuesday/ Thursday breakfast tradition where we go to Serranos restaurant, which is literally a 25 second walk from the study center. At breakfast, we chat and simply enjoy each other’s company for over an hour. If we have a test that day, we study and quiz each other. After breakfast I go to my second class, which is Spanish reading and conversation. At 4:00, I volunteer at the school near the study center and assist fourth graders in learning English. After volunteering, I come back to the study center to study or relax. Later in the evening, I either make dinner or go out to dinner. By the time we come back, which is often times around 11 it is time to wind down and prepare for the next day!

I say my days here in Valencia are far from typical because often times, instead of being in the classroom for my class, I find myself all over Valencia. With my classes I have taken excursions to places like Sagunto, a town that was formerly a Moorish fortress, La Lonja, a beautiful building originally used for silk trading, and the Bellas Artes Museum in Valencia. I have even made Valencian paella for a paella competition in my Food and Society class.

Walking through the Ruins of Sagunto

Finished Paella for Class!

From walking through the ruins of old castles to admiring the architecture in various plazas around the city, I have been extremely lucky to have everything but typical days for the past four months.

The Riverbed

By Colleen Herrera

My time in Valencia was the greatest experience I have ever had. I have never been to a country as lively and energetic as Spain. It seemed like my 4 months flew by because we were always out exploring our beautiful city and all that it had to offer. However my favorite place to go in the entire city was the Riverbed. It was located conveniently right outside of our study center doors and offered a nice and relaxing getaway for me and many of the other students on the trip as well.

Teachers would often be found holding class down in the riverbed on days where sitting in a classroom was unthinkable. After classes were over it was always the place to go for a walk or run and it offered you some of the best views of the city as it runs the almost the length of Valencia. One day I could casually walk to the left and end up at a beautiful lake complete with swan boats you could rent. The next day I could run the other way and end up at the breathtaking City of Arts and Science. And in between there were parks, gardens, sports fields and some of the best picnic spots in the city. During Fallas we all found it also had some of the best spots to view the nightly firework show that could put the 4^th of July to shame!

I miss the activities and serenity of this part of Spain every day; it was like our very own Central Park right outside our front door.  

The Riverbed