Florida State University 2008-2009 General Bulletin Undergraduate Edition
International Education
International Commitment
Florida State University recognizes that a great university ideally builds and extends its service, its potential for research, and its scholarly standing, and enhances its contribution to the education of students and citizens of the state by providing an international dimension to its educational programs. This is true in the professions, the sciences, the arts, and the humanities.
The University recognizes that in an interdependent world, the welfare of the state and the well-being of its citizens are linked to the welfare of all peoples. Thus, it is vital that the teaching, research, and service of Florida State University support the economic and social development of the state, the nation, and other countries; protect the world environment; lead individuals and groups to better understanding of themselves and others; and contribute toward international understanding, world peace, and community self-awareness.
The University, in serving the community, recognizes that its major responsibility is to educate students in a manner that provides them with the understanding, skills, and knowledge that will allow them to be creative and useful citizens not only of the state, but of the world. In this process of education, students from other countries who study at our campus and Florida State University students who have studied overseas play an important role.
To accomplish these goals, Florida State University encourages and seeks students from abroad for its undergraduate and graduate programs, and professional colleges and schools in such numbers, and with such geographic origins, as to have an impact on the achievement of the University's educational goals. It also seeks to provide opportunities for study abroad for its students and to afford them guidance and assistance in integrating these experiences with regular university study. Finally, the University encourages the development of an international dimension in the teaching, research, and service through the exchange of persons, ideas, and materials with other countries.
Florida State University seeks to accomplish these objectives through evaluation of existing and proposed international programs and services and by both short- and long-range planning for continued improvement and innovation to further the goals of international education in the University. Consistent with these goals, the University resolves to make available its facilities and resources to offer diversified international educational programs of quality and usefulness for all its students. The financial support needed for the accomplishment of these goals will be provided by University resources and is actively sought from state, federal, and foreign governments, as well as from international organizations, foundations, private organizations, and individual donors.
Beyond Borders: International Service and Cultural Exchanges
Coordinator: TBD
Beyond Borders is a university-to-university exchange program that provides opportunities for students to engage in intensive, short-term intercultural experiences while performing some community service. Currently, Florida State University has exchanges with the University of Costa Rica, Atlantic Branch (Turrialba, Costa Rica); the University of the West Indies, Mona Campus (Kingston, Jamaica); and the Technical University in Dresden, Germany. Participants live with local families or in university facilities and serve as volunteers in projects organized by the host institutions. All Florida State University students are eligible to apply; groups are limited to 10-12 students. Visit www.ic.fsu.edu/beyondborders/info.cfm for more information or email bb@admin.fsu.edu.
107 South Wildwood, Tallahassee, FL 32306-4240; (850) 644-1702; Web site: http://www.fsu.edu/~fsu-isc.
International Programs
Director: James E. Pitts; Associate Director: Michele E. Ceci; Assistant Directors: Mary A. Balthrop, Louisa E. Blenman, Joan W. Cassels
Florida State University offers a wide variety of opportunities for students to study overseas. Students learn not only from their exposure to the cultural resources of the host countries but also through their firsthand observations and participation in the political, economic, and social changes taking place outside the United States.
The University has operated international study centers in Panama City, Republic of Panama since 1957; in Florence, Italy since 1966; in London, England since 1971; and in Spain since 1997, originating in Torremolinos and moving to its permanent home in Valencia in 2000. At each of these locations, courses are offered during the fall, spring, and summer semesters. In addition to FSU students, the centers are open to students from other U.S. institutions and throughout the world.
All of these Study Centers offer a broad curriculum, which includes courses that particularly lend themselves to the international location. In Florence, the courses focus on the areas of art history, classics, English writing, literature, history, humanities, Italian language, and politics. The London center offers courses in the areas of art history, education, English literature and writing, history, music, politics, social sciences, and theatre. In addition, the London Study Center also serves as a base of operations for a number of curriculum-focused programs. Students may pursue study on specific topics such as British television, English literature, communications, international affairs, choral and instrumental music education, global sport management, theatre, textiles, apparel, and merchandising. In Valencia, courses are offered in Spanish language, literature, and civilization as well as art, business, English literature, humanities, and music. In the Republic of Panama, the FSU-Panama campus offers courses in a variety of liberal arts disciplines including mathematics and the sciences. FSU-Panama also functions as a 2- or 4-year degree institution serving a large population of native Panamanians. International Programs also has an extensive internship program with internships in a variety of disciplines offered in London, Valencia, and Panama.
In addition to the Study Centers, International Programs offers programs in many other locations. These sites vary from year to year, but currrently include programs planned in Australia, China, Costa Rica, Croatia, Czech Republic, Ecuador, France, Hungary, Ireland, The Netherlands, Russia, Scotland, South Africa, and Switzerland. These locations host a variety of study abroad opportunities ranging from broad curriculum offerings to faculty-led programs focusing on a particular area or major. Additionally, the First Year Abroad program, created especially for high-achieving, global-thinking students, allows students to complete the first twelve months of their FSU career studying abroad with International Programs. Students can choose to spend their first year at any of the four study centers. Students can opt to change their location for the summer term and spend it at any other study center, though visa restrictions apply for some locations. Finally, the College for High School program offers a unique international academic opportunity for outstanding high school students. These students apply for the program in the fall, participate in university-level coursework in the spring semester using Blackboard, and then travel to a host location with faculty and advisers in the summer. International Programs is constantly adding to and updating the program offerings and locations. For the latest information, visit the Web site at http://www.international.fsu.edu or contact us at: International Programs, A5500 University Center Tallahassee, FL 32306-2420, (850) 644-3272; (800) 374-8581, intprog1@admin.fsu.edu.
Florida–Costa Rica Institute
Co-Director: Joan W. Cassels
Florida State University and Valencia Community College co-administer The Florida–Costa Rica Linkage Institute on behalf of the state's higher education systems.
The Florida–Costa Rica Linkage Institute (FLORICA) is one of the three original linkage institutes established by the Florida Legislature in 1986. The International Linkage Institute Program has expanded since that time to include a total of 11 institutes throughout the state.
The intent of the Florida Legislature is for the Florida-Costa Rica Linkage Institute to offer opportunities at both the university and community-college levels for education and training; state development; curriculum development; collaborative research; technical assistance; cultural, faculty, and student exchange; intensive Spanish instruction; library materials exchange; computer linkage; and joint commercial ventures. These activities are to be undertaken in conjunction with Costa Rica's four public universities, its Ministry of Education, and the State of Florida's 11 state universities and 28 community colleges.
Florida–France Institute
Co-Director: Joan W. Cassels
Florida State University, the University of South Florida, and Miami-Dade Community College co-administer the Florida-France Linkage Institute on behalf of the state's higher education system.
The Florida-France Institute was established in 1989 and is one of 11 Florida bi-national linkage institutes created by the Florida Legislature to promote business, educational, cultural, and scientific exchange among Florida and other nations and regions of the world. France is a major trading partner with Florida and has growing business and investment interests in the state. Similarly, Florida seeks new opportunities for business in France, especially with its sister region Languedoc-Roussillon and the French Caribbean.
The intent of the Florida-France Institute is to serve a multitude of interest groups in Florida and France by providing opportunities for education, training, activities related to trade and business promotion, cooperative research, and mutual technical assistance, as well as educational and cultural exchange. Its purpose is to link the resources of the State of Florida's 11 universities and 28 community colleges with those of state governments and business to forge a network of partnerships with French educational, governmental, and private-sector institutions.
Law Program at Oxford
Florida State University conducts an international law program in the prestigious academic atmosphere of Oxford University. The program utilizes its unique setting to enhance the study of international and comparative law and the history of common law. ABA-approved law courses are taught by a combination of Florida State University College of Law faculty and approved adjunct professors from Oxford. The program is available to students in good standing at an ABA-approved law school who have completed at least one year of study. Visit our Web site at http://www.law.fsu.edu/academic_programs/international_law.
Center for Intensive English Studies
Program Director: Patrick Kennell
The Center for Intensive English Studies provides intensive instruction in the English language to non-English speakers. Its primary target audience is international scholars who are preparing to pursue degree work in American colleges and universities. The center also provides English-as-a-second-language services for the spouses of regular students at Florida State University, as well as for some already admitted international students who are experiencing difficulty in mastering the English language.
International Center
Please see the "Student Services" chapter of this General Bulletin for information pertaining to the International Center.