Florida State University Panama

Although this video is a few years old, the FSU International Program in Panama is the same life-changing experience. Students are fully emerged in the Panamanian lifestyle and encounter many academic, professional, and cultural experiences while studying here. Check out the video to see the beautiful scenery of Panama City, Panama!

Study Abroad Application FAQs

Studying abroad is one of the most rewarding decisions you can make during your college experience; it can also be one of the most confusing. I am a Student Recruiter for the International Programs office at FSU, and I studied abroad in Costa Rica. This essay is a list of the most frequently asked questions. Many of these questions are commonly asked during the application process, and if you need any information not included in this article, please call the FSU IP department (850.644.3272).

When should I study abroad?You can study abroad your first semester, your last semester, or any time in between. Some majors are more difficult to align required classes with study abroad classes, so as soon as you’re curious, talk to your academic advisor about opportunities. For most people, it is easier to go earlier rather than later. However, every program ranges in ages from freshman to senior.   

Do I have to be an FSU or Florida resident student to go on a program?

No. There are many students who come from other universities and other states to study abroad with us. Program fees are the same for both FSU students and non-FSU students.

What program should I pick?

Each of our programs has very unique offerings. If you want to study abroad in the Fall or Spring semesters check out our study center locations in Florence, Italy; Valencia, Spain; London, England; and Panama City, Republic of Panama. If you’re looking to study in the summer, you can find more programs that are specialized to a specific degrees. Look on campus for our brochure or check our website (international.fsu.edu) for the most up to date information. Our website also has a listing of classes that was offered the previous year of a particular program. This list gives an idea of what classes you can expect to be offered during your semester.* Liberal Studies and foreign language requirements are oftentimes fulfilled at one of our four study center locations.

*Please note that these classes can and do vary from year to year.

How does the application process work?

Once you decide on a program, go on our website and select your destination. From the main program page click “Apply” where you will be directed to the application. Once you submit the application, you will need to pay the $100 application fee. This can be paid online through my.fsu.edu or you can call our office, and we will process your payment over the phone. If you apply before the Early Application Deadline, this $100 will be applied to your program fees.

Once your application is submitted, our admissions coordinator will look at factors such as GPA and your disciplinary record. If there is any issue, you may be asked to email the office to explain an incident before admission to the program. Some limited access programs (such as Communication Disorders in London) are decided by the program directors, not the FSU office administration. If there are no issues, within about three weeks you will get an acceptance email to the program including more information as well as deadlines. It is extremely important to check your email regularly; International Programs will send you emails regarding updates to your program, deadlines, as well as important information about your trip.

For summer programs (especially Valencia), applying early is key. These programs fill up the quickest so be sure to apply before Thanksgiving, so you don’t end up on a waiting list.

How does the cost of a semester abroad compare to a semester on campus?

The FSU Admissions website estimates the cost for a semester at FSU for in-state students to be about $9,774 including tuition, housing, a meal plan, and insurance (http://admissions.fsu.edu/freshman/finances/costs.cfm, this link’s estimate is for two semesters, so I divided the approximations by two). All of our programs are priced differently. Exact prices are listed on our website, international.fsu.edu.

What do the program fees include?

Program fees include tuition (up to 17 hours in Fall and Spring and up to 10 hours in the Summer), housing, insurance, program excursions, program group activities, and full-time academic support. Some programs include more such as meal vouchers, pizza nights, or transport passes. Program fees are the same for all participants regardless of their state of residence.

What scholarships are offered?

Our office offers a few scholarships both need and merit based. These are very competitive, so be diligent when filling out the applications. You can also find a number of scholarships online and through other FSU departments. Check with your department to see if they have any kind of aid offered for students studying abroad.

Our Financial Aid advisor Rod Mack offers workshops throughout the semester to help students who are wondering how they are going to pay for a study abroad experience. Check our website for details on those workshops.

Do you accept Florida Prepaid and Bright Futures?

Yes! Bright Futures is accepted for the Fall and Spring only (just like on campus). Florida Prepaid is accepted year-round. We also accept Florida Prepaid housing plans for our programs.

Financial aid doesn’t come in until after my program starts, what do I do?

Financial aid is usually dispersed at the start of the semester, long after program fees are due. If you are expecting financial aid, fill out a deferment form (found on our website under “Money Matters”) and fax, mail, or bring it to our office. This form tells us how much aid you are expected to receive from loans, scholarships, etc. Also, the document says you acknowledge you are responsible for paying your fees if you do not receive the expected amount.

If something changes in your financial aid status (new scholarship or taking more classes) you can let us know by filling out a new deferment form with the updated information.

By: Kevin Smith, 2015-2016 Student Recruiter

Students Reflect on their Amazonian Experience

“My time in Iquitos is one of the most significant periods in my life. I was not only challenged every day in Spanish conversation with my host family and locals (which allowed me to rapidly improve my skills), but also I encountered a variety of learning experiences, interactions, and activities that helped me solidify a new way of looking at the world. After my time in Iquitos, I feel like a citizen of the world and know I am competent enough to travel by myself for the rest of my life. I have to applaud the authenticity of the program. There was nothing fake or Americanized about this program. I stayed with a Peruvian family, worked with locals in a hospital and NGO, and visited several Amazonian communities. All of these opportunities allowed me to embrace the culture in its entirety while learning a great deal about my own. I certainly gained an awareness of many perspectives that cannot be found anywhere else and incorporated them into my own life. I can no longer view reality or humanity’s relationship with nature the same because of everything I learned. The combination of a traditional college class focused on the Amazon and its people followed by time in the basin itself allowed me to appreciate the trip as a whole because I could better grasp the processes behind the many things I saw. The trip was so influential that I am still not completely adjusted to being back in the States, and I wish I could spend more time in Latin America.”    David DeStephano (Summer 2015)

“The journey into Amazonia was breathtaking.  Everywhere I turned, I learned something new: a new perspective, a new language, and by the end of the trip, a new outlook.  My internship was working in a very poor community with the Organization Infant.  Infant’s main goal was to show the importance of the rights of children.  Every day I talked, read, did arts and crafts, and taught gymnastics to the children.  These children taught me more about life than any other experience I have ever had.  I left this trip knowing in my heart that I had made a difference, and that’s truly what matters to me.”   Angela Stein   (Summer 2015)

 

 “Going on this trip was the most rewarding experience of my life. I became more self-assured, confident and decisive. I learned about what I wanted and didn't want in my life; I matured significantly; and I took on responsibilities I previously thought I was incapable of handling. I learned a lot of my own value and developed strong ties with locals. My host family was warm and inviting. They said that I their house was also my as soon as I arrived. I felt embraced by a warm culture from the moment I got there, and personal challenges aside, I would do it all over again.” Stephanie Strickland  (Summer 2015)

“This cultural immersion program was a major stepping stone for my personal growth. I was looking for a program where I could experience something to remember for a life time and something completely extraordinary, and Journey into Amazonia was definitely it. I had the unique experience of living with a wonderful family, working for a program that highly impacted the community, and traveling into the Amazon rainforest with amazing people while studying the culture and language of the Amazon. My internship taught me so much by working hand in hand with communities in need and by giving me an opportunity to offer my help. The excursions were greatly structured and offered the students so much exposure of the genuine culture of the Amazon. Studying the beautiful plants and animals helped me gain a stronger connection to the Earth and gave me a stronger drive to protect it. I was honored to be able to have these experiences. They are ones that cannot be found elsewhere. I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to be a part of this program; this experience was one of a kind and has had a strong positive impact on my view of life.”  (Dora Fish, Summer 2015)

                       

"The Service and Learning Journey to Amazonia was an unforgettable experience. I learned so much about the culture and the indigenous cosmovisions. Camping in the primary forest and learning about the importance of the medicinal plants was extremely fascinating.  Living with a host family was fantastic. They were very kind and accommodating. The food they prepared was always delicious. I was always comfortable and I felt at home. It was also great for constantly improving my Spanish. I'm positive I will return to the amazon to learn more and to visit the life-long friends that I met there.  It's difficult to encompass all of the feelings I have about my time in Iquitos. It was overwhelmingly different but beautiful. I am so thankful for this experience!" Shannon Morris (Summer 2015)

"My time in Amazonia was the most influential experience I could have hoped for. From the first day I arrived in Iquitos till the very last day of the program, I was always enriched by the culture. Amazonia allowed me to open my eyes to real world problems that are occurring not only in Peru, but all around the world. Amazonia also allowed me to open my heart; it taught me how to help others in the most effective way possible. From this program, I truly felt as though I was a part of positive change. Not only did I gain knowledge of people and our environment, I also learned a lot about myself. My time in Amazonia made me more confident and caring. It also allowed me to narrow what I would like to focus on in my academic future.” Malia Byrtus (Summer 2015)

 

    

“I always knew that there was a different way of life out there, but after experiencing it first hand, my views are forever changed. Being in Peru taught me to not take for granted any of the things we have in the US, especially my car; although, the motokars there are most fun transportation ever! Also, the family bonds run so deep in the Amazonian culture that it made me reconsider my family relationships/values and make changes. Even teaching English at UNAP has made me become a better student this semester at FSU. The people of Amazonia have very few possessions, but the love and wisdom they give you makes you feel like the richest person in the world. And even though I am not fluent in Spanish and that was the most difficult aspect of my trip, I would go back to Iquitos in a heartbeat.”  Jennifer Law (Summer 2015)

“My time in Iquitos was nothing short of life-changing. During my month there, through intensive cultural immersion, I was shown a vastly different reality than my own- which resulted in me gaining an entirely new perspective. This program gives you the tools you need to make the most of your experience, to truly immerse yourself in the culture and interact with the locals, who are incredibly warm-hearted and generous people. I made life-long friendships and connections while I was in Peru, and I would go back in an instant.”  Shauna N. Gillooly   (Summer 2015)

Please visit http://fla.st/20CaZy7 for more information.

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. 
   

Florence 1975

 

I’ve always been fascinated with communication, so in my senior year of college, I decided to put that passion to use and go on the Florence Program. I was a music student at FSU and ended up taking basic studies throughout my four years, so I could also tend to music making. My freshman year I was shocked to learn that even instrumentalists had to sing.  Not only did we have to sing, we learned to do so in Italian. That experience made going on the Florence Program a natural choice.

Forty years later my Italian alter ego is still fun to flaunt!  The world has changed a lot and offers many virtual experiences, but there is nothing like that “we’re not in Kansas anymore” experience to give meaning to the American experience. I learned more about myself and what shapes my thoughts and attitudes in Italy than anywhere I’ve visited in the United States. 

It was intimidating to be on the program with so many art majors, but I carried my flute with me everywhere and played it in some memorable places. Some of these included inside the Ear of Dionysius, on the ruins in Agrigento, and after dinner at a Sicilian sulfur mine. 

 

Studying about Italian history gave me great insight, because I later married an Italian, took Italian citizenship, owned a home in Italy, and helped my son with his geometra (a kind of Italian high school) homework. When I want to understand what’s going on in the world, I appreciate being able to understand Italian in order to get another viewpoint not governed by the United States’ mass media.
 

Today, most young Italians understand, if not speak, English, and I heard that Florence’s famous Vivoli’s ice cream will be available at Disney's EPOC soon. So, why go on the Florence Program?  Florence is a gem that can’t be totally appreciated in a few months but one can be totally enveloped by the city and be connected with other wonderful areas in Italy while studying in Florence. Italy isn’t quite as standardized as in the United States, so one can experience interesting regional differences without going great distances.  Heck, go up in the mountains in Tuscany and see the ghiacciaie that helped to make Vivoli’s ice cream possible. 

As one understands the language and how Italians care to communicate; the Italian legal system; the Italian health care system; the Italian appreciation for historical patrimony; the Italian appreciation for the arts; the Italian love of sports; and the Italian quirky habits, one also begins to understand how Americans use English; what Americans value; along with American social systems.

Avanti Sevoia! Go for it!  Make your Italian adventure count.

Deborah Nelson

Florence, Italy, 1975 alumna

Retrospective Realizations

As I sit in the airport waiting to head home, I keep thinking about some of the things I learned while I was on my study abroad program, some of which may be helpful to others. One suggestion I have for those traveling is to keep a journal. I have a terrible memory, so I invested in a leather journal my first day in Florence, Italy and recorded all of my adventures. Without this journal, in just a few years I would forget many memories of Italy. With the same idea in mind, I also relied on the app Day One. This app is a photo journal that records the date, location and time a picture was taken, as

well as allowing you type a comment about the picture. Little things like this will help you keep track of all the experiences you have traveling. Another important tip is to make the most of your time abroad. I know that sounds obvious, but after a few days you may think taking a long nap is no big deal or skipping a museum is fine. However, it’s important to remember that your time abroad is going to come to an end, and it usually comes much faster than expected. Don't try to pack everything in at the end of your stay. I advise you to spread it out and plan accordingly. If you're not a museum person, find other activities. I love coffee and found a class that taught you how to create coffee art. I wanted to see a performance, so my friends and I attended a ballet in Fiesole, a beautiful city only 20 minutes outside of Florence. There is always something to do in a foreign city, so don't spend too much time on homework or catching up on sleep. You'll regret not doing more in the end. 

 

Author: Courtney Merolle

Passports!

At just 3 ½ x 5 inches, a passport is one of the most important documents in the world. If you have a desire to see the world beyond your computer screen, you will need a passport. Not only do passports allow you to travel across international borders, but they also serve as an official residency and identification document.  Here are some interesting passport facts from around the world!

1.       The term "passport" derives from the French word passer, to enter or leave, and port, a port.  It is essentially a permit to leave a country.

2.       Around 450 BC, King Artaxerxes of Persia gave the prophet Nehemiah a letter granting him safe passage to Judah. This is seen by many as the first passport.

3.       The artwork inside U.S passports took six years to design.  It was developed by a team of six people and features a variety of patriotic scenes. When   e-passports were introduced in 2007, the State   Department seized the opportunity to give the   standard blue book a makeover. Some of the   patriotic imagery that made the cut are Mount   Rushmore, a bald eagle, and the celebration of our   first moon landing. The theme even has its own   name: "American Icon"

4.       Just like U.S. Passports, Finnish Passports have   fun artwork too. Their passports depict flipbook-style imagery featuring a walking moose.

5.       Turkey claims the most expensive passport fees, costing citizens a whopping $275.00. The cheapest passport hails from Swaziland with a cost of $1.56. US Passports cost $110 for standard processing. 

This handy document gives you access to travel the globe and who wouldn’t want to see different countries and cultures? If you don’t have a passport, it’s not too late to get one! And to make it even easier, FSU has a Passport Office on campus! The FSU Passport Facility is located in the Stadium on the 5^th floor of University Center A in International Programs office. Please visit our website for more information about our Passport Office as well as the programs we offer abroad: http://international.fsu.edu/Passport/Default.aspx

Budgeting- Let’s Be Realistic

London is an expensive place to live- and eat. Especially when the conversion rate is around 1.5 US Dollars to 1 GB Pound. No, London is not just a large but still quaint, English city. It is the business capital of the world and an international melting pot equitable to living in New York City. In preparation for my study abroad this summer I thought, “It’ll be so great to have a flat where I can cook all of my meals. I’ll average about $4 per meal!”- No.

            Any place you study abroad you will want to experience the local cuisine as much as possible. As someone who enjoys cooking, I have found myself cooking dinners at home only about one night a week. I eat lunches at home another 1-2 days and most breakfasts. Other than that, I’m always out and about in the city, traveling, exploring new places, not worrying about getting back to the flat to make myself a sandwich when I can pick one up on every street corner- beautifully prepared with a side of crisps from Pret a Manger.

           Problem #2 with trying to plan ahead and keep a well-stocked fridge: the food goes bad within a matter of days. Ladies and gentlemen, I’ve found the downside of the fresh, non-GMO, preservative-free food populating the grocery stores in the UK- it rots at rapid speed. Here, it’s the social norm to run to your local Sainsbury’s or Waitrose to grab your next meal every day, maybe twice a day. Keeping large amounts of food at home isn’t realistic for a busy student like you or me. When your bread, deli meats, and cheese are all perishing at different paces and you don’t want to buy a whole bottle of mustard or mayonnaise for the 1 to 2 months you’ll be here, why bother? Just go to Itsu and get some half-priced sushi between 7-8pm and punch another notch in your loyalty card.

            BUT don’t let all this get you down! There are still plenty of ways to stay on track and on budget while studying abroad in London:

-Sainsbury’s offers a meal deal of either a sandwich, pasta, or salad with crisps (chips) and a drink for 3 pounds (about $4.5). Stop by in the morning and bring it with while you’re traipsing around town.

-Have “family dinners” with your flat mates. As often as we can, my flat mates and I take turn cooking for each other. When you buy ingredients from the store, it’s going to be enough to feed 5 anyways.

-Don’t spend money on water bottles. All of the tap water in London is safe to drink and tastes fine! Keep 1 or 2 bottles at home and reuse them.

            Be sensible with your spending on food but know that a typical meal out is going to average 6-10 GBP (tack on 4 GBP if you plan on getting a drink). This will come out to about $15-$20 per meal. 

Budget accordingly and you’ll have a recipe for success. Cheers!

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

How to Alleviate Your Parent’s Worries When You’re Abroad

By Michelle Futo

 When I asked my parents if I could study abroad in Leysin, Switzerland for the first six weeks of summer, they were excited but also very vocal with expressing their worries. How would we stay in contact? How would they know where I was and my travel plans? As an only child, I had to find ways to make sure my parents felt comfortable with me traveling to Europe so all of us could enjoy my experience. Here are a few tips I picked up that I used both at home and while I was abroad.

Communication

Keep the lines of communication open as much as possible! While you may be annoyed with the amount of emails they send you, your parents just want to make sure you are safe. It’s not you they do not trust, it’s the world. All of the IP Study Centers have Wifi access for students, so make sure to reply to those emails! Even a few simple sentences with some photos will make them smile and feel closer to you, even though you are over 2000 miles away.

If you have an iPhone, iMessage also works even when your phone is on airplane mode. You can easily send texts, photos, and short videos to your parents through iMessgae without having to turn on your cellular data. FaceTime is also a great option. I was abroad for Mother’s Day and even though I was not physically with my mom, I know she loved our FaceTime date.

If you have an android smart phone, I would recommend downloading Viber. Viber is a free messaging application that also sends texts, photos, videos, and even allows users to make phone calls through Wifi. Help your parents download the application to their phones, set up their free account, and play around with sending messages before you leave the country. This way you can still talk to them and share all your experiences without having to purchase an international phone plan.

Register Your Travel

Prior to leaving the U.S., explain to your parents that you are registering yourself in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) through the U.S. Department of State. STEP is a free program that allows U.S. Citizens who are traveling abroad to enroll their trip with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Some additional benefits to enrolling in STEP include receiving important information from the Embassy about safety conditions in the destination country, helping students make informed decisions about their travel plans, helping the U.S. Embassy contact you in an emergency whether natural disaster, civil unrest, or family emergency. After entering your personal and travel information, the step-by-step wizard will help you stay connected to the people who matter and who will help you out in case of any emergency. Parents can also sign up to receive email updates about information dealing with the country you are traveling to, again keeping them in the loop about your travels. 

You can register here: https://step.state.gov/step/

Create a Blog

If you are a writer, a photographer, or just want to have a simple way to keep your friends and family at home updates with your travels, creating a blog gives you a perfect way to share your experiences quickly and easily! Free websites such as WordPress, Weebly, or Blogger allow users to make an account and customize their personal blog to share text, photos, videos, and any other interesting information that happens while abroad. You can easily upload some photos from your weekend trip to Venice and write a quick post about how amazing your gondola rides were. Sharing the link through email or Facebook will give your friends, family, and especially parents a way to track where you travel and what you are up to. I know my mom always looked forward to my blog posts and it also is a great online journal I can always re-visit now that I am back in Tallahassee.

A Postcard from Florence

Two Florida State University students, Jordan Park and Paige Granfield,  share how studying abroad with International Programs gave them the opportunity to explore the world and broaden their horizons in the realm of education and self-discovery.