Broad Curriculum Program

Republic of Panama: Panama City

The Broad Curriculum program gives students the opportunity to earn credits in general requirements and elective courses while experiencing modern Panama, historical areas, nearby beaches, and lush tropical regions.

Panama’s historic sites, dynamic business environment, and unspoiled terrain yield a wide variety of specialized excursions to extend learning beyond the classroom. With short trips, students are able to tour the engineering marvels of the Panama Canal Locks and Visitors’ Center; explore Colonial Panama, Old Panama, and Cosmopolitan Panama; visit the indigenous communities of the Embera Indians surrounded by freshwater rapids; and discover the San Blas Islands, home to the Kuna Indians, surrounded by the pristine waters of the Caribbean Sea. Students learn about their culture, dances, food, handicrafts, and customs. Additionally, there are opportunities to visit international prizewinning coffee plantations, participate in hikes and ecotourism, join in adventurous activities through the tropical rain forest, go deep sea-fishing, sunbathe, snorkel, and even surf. Lush rain forests and local markets await.

The FSU Panama Study Center provides all the facilities and services of a small college. Located in Panama's City of Knowledge, it is right in the heart of an international complex for education, research, and innovation. Within this complex, students enjoy full facilities including the largest English-language library in Panama, computer and science labs, classrooms equipped with state-of-the-art technology, a recreation room, and a cafe. Additionally, they have access to the Kiwanis sports complex, which has a swimming pool, a gymnasium and an athletic field, as well as tennis, basketball, football, and soccer courts.

For over 50 years, the Panama campus has served thousands of students seeking associate and bachelor’s degrees. Here, our students join the Florida State Panama student body, made up of students from Panama and 26 other nationalities pursuing one of six bachelor’s degrees, or completing the required Florida State Liberal Studies courses. They have the opportunity to be instructed by educators who enjoy teaching in classrooms filled with an exciting mix of students from around the world.

Please Note:

• Fall and Spring students must take either a Spanish language or a Latin American History class.

Eligibility
This program is open to all interested students.

Housing
Students currently are housed in furnished duplex apartments within a residential area near the City of Knowledge, each with shared bedrooms with ample closet space and individual safes. The safes are 7-11/16 inches high and 16-13/16 inches in length which should accommodate up to a 17” laptop computer. Each duplex has a living-dining area, fully equipped kitchen, at least two bathrooms and a washer/dryer. Housing units include a flat screen TV and a separate study area. The current duplex housing is located within a 20 minute walk to the main classroom building. The beautiful Panama weather makes outside sports extremely popular, as are cookouts, open-air music, and the special “Night of the Arts” events, when both faculty and students exhibit and perform their works of art.

Overnight guests are not allowed in program housing. For a list of hotels in Panama City, please click here.

Visas
Fall and spring students will be required to obtain a student visa. Details are supplied after acceptance and on the Immigration Information page of our website.

Areas of Study

• Accounting
• American History
• Art
• Art History
• Biology
• Business
• Chemistry
• Comparative Politics
• Composition
• Computer Literacy
• Economics
• Environmental Science
• Geography
• Geology
• Humanities
• Information Communication and Technology
• International Affairs
• International Relations
• Latin American History
• Literature
• Management
• Marketing
• Mathematics (various levels)
• Nutrition
• Philosophy
• Physics
• Psychology
• Public Speaking
• Religion
• Sociology
• Spanish Language (various levels)
• Spanish Literature
• Statistics
• Urban & Regional Planning
• World History

Course Descriptions

 

*/**/***/****/^ Courses followed by these symbols denote cross listing. Students may take one or the other, but not both.

Please note: Forms and packets are currently being updated. If you do not see the forms for your program listed below, they will be posted as soon as they are complete.

General Information
General Pre-Departure Pack
First Year Abroad: General Pre-Departure Pack
Visa Information (If Applicable)
Embassy Listings for Europe
Embassy Listings for Central and South America

Forms for All students:
Important Forms Packet
Release of Information Form
Student Deferment Form (if applicable)
Insurance Policy Information and Claim Form

Additional Forms for Transient/Special Students:
Wellness Center Health Compliance Forms (1, 2, and 3)
Transcript Request Form

Visa Information for FSU IP Participants

Immigration laws, visa requirements, and application processes vary depending on location. International Programs provides visa support for most programs which require visas for US citizens. Specific details are noted on each program page for which visas or entry clearance applications are required. U.S. citizens living abroad, must contact the appropriate consulate for the steps to obtain necessary visas. Non-US citizens should review the information below for requirements specific to your program. The State Department provides specific visa requirements by country.

• Students may be required to make a personal appearance at the appropriate consulate to obtain a visa.
• Students on multiple programs, consecutive semesters abroad or the First Year Abroad program may have different visa requirements and should contact IP for more information.
• Students planning travel before or after the program dates are responsible for making their own entry arrangements.
• Students on some programs must submit their passports in advance of their programs, so the visa can be affixed in the passport. This may impact travel plans.
• Changes in requirements may affect program structure, dates, and fees.
• Students who fail to comply with IP or host country visa processes may incur financial penalties, delayed arrivals or cancellations.
• Students are strongly encouraged to purchase travel insurance which covers failure to obtain a visa. Further information is available on the Travel Insurance Review website.

For additional assistance, please contact our Passports and Immigration Officer, Tina Brooks

FSU IP Visa Packets

Note: Individual visa packet links are located at the bottom of this page. If the link is not ‘live,’ the visa packet is not yet available.

US Citizens
U.S. Citizens requiring visas to participate on the program will receive guidelines and assistance from International Programs. The receipt of a visa is a privilege, not a right. Each foreign country has the right to establish its own parameters for the granting of a visa, and as an American requesting permission to enter that foreign country, you must abide by all of its requirements. IP cannot guarantee receipt of an entry visa. Students choosing to obtain a visa independently must notify International Programs of this intention, and must be aware that failure to obtain the proper entry or student visa may not release you from responsibility of the full program fees.

Non-US Citizens
Visa applications for FSU IP programs in Florence, Italy, Tianjin, China and Valencia, Spain will be handled in the same manner for non-US citizens as for US citizens. Non-US citizens should use the links below to access the visa packets.

Although International Programs provides guidelines regarding the student visa process for U.S. citizens, non-U.S. citizens are advised to contact the appropriate consulate to learn the student visa procedures governing their nationality. It is the responsibility of non-U.S. citizens to contact our office if any information must be provided by International Programs in order for you to obtain your student visa.

If your program is not listed below, US citizens are not required to have a visa for our program. Please note, every admitted student will receive their visa packet instructions via email. If a country listed below is not linked to a visa packet, the packet has not yet been updated and distributed to the students. Please check back at a later date.

Fall 2013

• Florence, Italy (First Year Abroad)
• Florence, Italy (Semester Students, Interns and First Semester Abroad)
• London, England (First Year Abroad)
• London, England (Interns)
• Panama City, Panama (Semester Students and First Year Abroad)
• Tianjin, China (Fall- 1 Semester)
• Tianjin, China (Fall and Spring- 2 Consecutive Semesters)
• Valencia, Spain (First Year Abroad)
• Valencia, Spain (Semester Students, Interns and First Semester Abroad)

Spring 2014

• Florence, Italy (Calendar Year Abroad)
• Florence, Italy (Semester Students, Interns)
• London, England (Calendar Year Abroad)
• London, England (Interns)
• Panama City, Panama (Semester Students and Calendar Year Abroad)
• Valencia, Spain (Calendar Year Abroad)
• Valencia, Spain (Semester Students, Interns)

Important Dates and Deadlines Note: Students who apply on or before the deadline will receive a $100 reduction of the program fee. This does not apply to First Year Abroad (FYA) students.
Summer 2013
Early application deadline*	Wednesday, December 5, 2012	$100
Internship application deadline	Wednesday, December 5, 2012	$250
Scholarship deadline	Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Confirmation deposit due	Wednesday, January 16, 2013	$1500
Full payment due	Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Orientation Meeting	TBA, late March/early April
Fall 2013
Early application deadline*	Wednesday, April 3, 2013	$100
Internship application deadline	Wednesday, April 3, 2013	$250
Scholarship deadline	Wednesday, April 3, 2013
First Year Abroad application deadline	Wednesday, May 1, 2013
First Year Abroad confirmation deposit deadline	Wednesday, May 1, 2013	$2500
Confirmation deposit due	Wednesday, May 15, 2013	$1500
Full payment due	Wednesday, June 12, 2013
Orientation Meeting	TBA, mid-March
Spring 2014
Early application deadline*	Wednesday, September 11, 2013	$100
Internship application deadline	Wednesday, September 11, 2013	$250
Scholarship deadline	Wednesday, September 11, 2013
Confirmation deposit due	Wednesday, September 25, 2013	$1500
Full payment due	Wednesday, October 23, 2013
Spring Break Programs 2014
Early application deadline*	Wednesday, November 6, 2013	$100
Scholarship deadline	Wednesday, November 6, 2013
Confirmation deposit due	Wednesday, November 20, 2013	$500
Full payment due	Wednesday, December 11, 2013
Application & Payment Deadlines:
*After the deadline has passed, applications will be accepted on a space available basis excluding interns. The application deadline for First Year Abroad and First Semester Abroad may be viewed here. Payment information for First Year Abroad students may be viewed here.

The biggest factor in deciding when and where to study abroad is often the financial aspect. In fact, too many students assume they cannot afford to participate, missing out on an invaluable opportunity because of failing to explore alternative methods of funding. The Financial Assistance Coordinator at International Programs (IP) is dedicated to helping students through the financial aid application process by conducting financial aid workshops on a regular basis* in addition to meeting personally with each student needing assistance. Students who have received some form of financial aid throughout their collegiate careers, as well as those completely new to the process, receive expert care every step of the way. We also help concerned parents! Additionally, students are strongly encouraged to contact the Financial Aid Office at their home school as early as possible. Finally, Florida State students will find additional helpful information on the FSU Financial Aid website at finaid.fsu.edu.

Technology Fee (NOT included in program fees)

Florida State assesses a technology fee which is NOT included in the International Programs fee. The technology fee rate for 2012-2013 is assessed at $5.16 per credit hour for all students, regardless of location of study.

After registration, the student must go to www.fees.fsu.edu to pay the applicable technology fee; this fee is paid directly to Florida State University Student Financial Services. Failure to pay this fee will result in a late payment charge being assessed to the student by Florida State University Student Financial Services (http://controller.vpfa.fsu.edu/Student-Financial-Services/SFS-For-Students/Payments/Late-or-Non-Payment). International Programs has no control over the fee or any associated late payment penalty.

Financial Aid and Financing Study Abroad Workshops,
Summer Semester 2013

Financial Aid & Financing Study Abroad Workshops will be held at the Student Life Building, room 101. See dates and times of workshops below. WALK-INS WELCOME!

• Wednesday, May 08, 2013 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM, Student Services Building, Room 214
• Tuesday, May 14, 2013 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM, Askew Student Life Center, Room 101

Information for Non-FSU Students

Financial aid
Students who receive financial aid should meet with their financial aid office and discuss plans to study abroad with Florida State. Additional loan monies may be available because the estimated cost of attendance to study abroad is generally higher than studying at the home campus. Most schools require a consortium agreement be signed by the host school (Florida State). Obtain this from the home school and send it to The Florida State University International Programs, A5500 University Center, Tallahassee, FL 32306-2420. We will obtain the necessary signature and return it promptly to the student’s home school. Please read our financial aid procedures: international.fsu.edu/Students/Prospective/College/Financial_Aid.aspx.

Useful Links

• Financial Aid
• Scholarship Info
• Florida Prepaid Plan
• Bright Futures
• Banking
• Deadlines and Meetings
• Fee Liability and Refund Policy

For over fifty years, The Florida State University's International Programs has been committed to providing an extensive academic and cultural experience that enriches the lives of our students. It has always been our policy to put students' safety first.  Our highest priority is the welfare and security of our students.  We make every effort to facilitate a secure and rewarding learning environment. Students venture abroad to experience other cultures, and to gain a deeper appreciation of their role as American citizens in the world. FSU International Programs is fully committed to helping students realize these aspirations.

Our year-round programs are administered by permanent resident staff members who are sensitive to the unique needs of American students. Program directors maintain contact with our Tallahassee office, local authorities, and United States officials, both at home and abroad.

Each program holds regular meetings of students and staff in which safety procedures and precautions are detailed and re-emphasized.   Each has an Emergency Plan designed specifically for it.  Plans include details about local health care facilities, meeting points and procedures, and contingency plans and funds should it ever become necessary to evacuate our students.

All participants on overseas programs—students, faculty and staff—are advised to monitor and follow all US State Department announcements and travel advisories.  Students are reminded to inform center directors of the details of their independent travel, heed US State Department announcements and travel advisories, and take relevant US Embassy/Consulate contact information with them.

• Insurance Policy
• Insurance Portal
• Register Your Travel
• Consulates & Embassies
• Travel Warnings
• Travel Safety for Students
• Centers for Disease Control
• Study Center Safety Guides
• Travel Insurance Info

Application Fee:
The $100 application fee is nonrefundable.

Confirmation Deposit:
The $1500 confirmation deposit is refundable until the close of business on the deposit’s due date. If an applicant has paid the deposit or been granted a deferred payment plan for the deposit and has not withdrawn from a program as of the close of business on the deposit due date, the applicant becomes fully liable for the confirmation deposit.

Full Program Fee:
Program applicants who have demonstrated their intent to participate in the program by payment or by deferral of the confirmation deposit and who have not withdrawn from the program as of the full payment due date become fully liable for the full program fee as of the close of business on the full payment due date.

Refunds of Program Fees:
Refunds of program fees WILL BE granted in instances of withdrawal prior to the start of the program under the following circumstances:

1. Cancellation of the program by International Programs
2. Involuntary call to active duty
3. Death of the student or death in the immediate family
   (parent, legal guardian, spouse, child, or sibling)

Partial Refunds of Program Fees:
Partial refunds of program fees MAY BE granted in instances of withdrawal prior to the start of the program under the following circumstances:

1. Illness of the student of such duration or severity that it precludes overseas travel. The student will be required to submit all relevant medical records for review and evaluation by Florida State's University Health Services. University Health Services will advise International Programs’ refund committee of its recommendation. International Programs’ refund committee will notify the student of the decision.
2. Exceptional circumstances that could not have been foreseen and were beyond the control of the student, as approved by the International Programs’ refund committee.
• Timely notification in relation to the event that caused the need for withdrawal will be considered in evaluating refund requests. In no instance will a request be considered if it is made after the end of the semester for which the refund is requested.
• Refunds cannot be granted, under any circumstances, in instances of withdrawal after a program has begun.
• Applicants who apply and are accepted after the published due dates remain liable for fees in accordance with the published due dates.
• Submitting Withdrawals, Requests for Refunds, and Release from Fee Liability: All withdrawals, requests for refunds, and requests for release from fee liability must be submitted in writing via email to International Programs. Applicants should include their last name and program code in the subject line of the email.
• Alternatively, requests can be submitted in writing to International Programs at the following postal address:

Attention: Refund Committee
Office of FSU International Programs
A5500 University Center
282 Champions Way
P.O. Box 3062420
Tallahassee, FL 32306-2420

Admission Criteria
Priority is given to students with an overall grade point average of 2.5 or above. Students below the minimum standard may petition for admission. Both in-state and out-of-state students may be eligible, but preference is given to students who are enrolled in The Florida State University and other State of Florida universities. Program enrollment is limited. Early application is advisable. Non-Florida State college students must submit official transcripts to the Office of International Programs (IP).

To apply for a specific program, you must first go to the relevant program page, and then click on the “Apply Now” button from that page, which you can find by using the program location links on the left margin menu or by using our “program finder."

Program Details
See each program for its details. Fees, courses, prices, dates and all details for all programs are subject to change. Dates listed in this catalog indicate the first night in housing until the morning of the program’s last day. In many instances, this may require leaving the U.S. a day earlier than the first date listed.

Courses and Credits
For course descriptions and semester credit hours per course, see the site specific page on this website. Distance learning courses may also be available.

• Unless otherwise noted, all courses, except language courses, are taught in English.
• Courses at all summer IP locations may be used toward fulfilling the university 9-hour summer residency requirement.
• Fall/Spring students must take at least 12 credit hours through IP. Visa requirements may supersede this policy.
• Students on 4-week sessions must enroll in 3 credit hours unless the program is designed for students to take more.
• Students on 5-, 6- and 8-week sessions must enroll in at least 6 credit hours.
• Students on 10-week sessions must enroll in at least 9 credit hours.
• Students on sessions of 12 weeks or more must take at least 12 credit hours, with 6 credits in each of the 5- or 6-week sessions (if applicable). Students on the London 12-week session must take at least 3 credit hours per 4-week session.

Note: Specific location requirements for credit load may vary and will be addressed during registration.

• When International Programs offers online courses, students may not take more than one online course per term.
• University drop/add policies apply to all programs; however, the IP policy on minimum credit hours remains in effect. Students may not drop below the minimum requirements specified above.
• Students may be approved to take additional credits beyond those included in the program fee by paying an additional fee.
Currently, an additional undergraduate 3-credit course is $700; an additional graduate 3-credit course is $1,100. Standard overload permission requirements apply.
• Students may opt to take Directed Individual Study (DIS) courses with Florida State faculty at program locations, pending departmental approval. Contact the IP office for information.

International Programs Minors
International Programs offers several minors, designed to enhance and provide focus to a student’s program in England, Italy or Spain. The minors are built around the residency in the respective study center location, but can be pursued before and after it as well. Each minor requires 15 credits (to include at least two disciplines), of which 9 must be taken in at the study center location. Students may choose from various disciplines. Consult the Florida State Bulletin and contact International Programs for formal declaration of the minor.

Information for Non-FSU Students

Not an FSU Student?  Not a problem!
International Programs accepts applications from students from all colleges and universities. Students from other schools are classified as Transient students. This means they are degree-seeking students elsewhere, but will attend The Florida State University for at least one term.

Applications
Apply on-line at International Programs. In addition, be sure to send an official transcript from the home school to International Programs, The Florida State University, A5500 University Center, Tallahassee, FL 32306-2420. If students have attended more than one school, the transcript from the most recently attended school will suffice because it usually has credits from the other school(s) posted.

Completion of the Program
Non-FSU students must submit the FSU International Programs Transcript Request form prior to studying abroad in order to receive one free transcript after the semester grades are posted. Once a program ends and grades are posted, the official transcript from Florida State is sent to the address indicated on the Transcript Request Form.

For Summer semester, grades will post to students’ final transcripts in mid-August regardless of the dates of your program. Grades will post in mid-December for Fall students and in early May for Spring students.

Additional transcript requests and fees must be submitted through the Registrar’s website:  http://registrar.fsu.edu/services/transcripts/apdefault.htm

For More Information
Still have questions? Please call 850-644-3272 or 800-374-8581 or email us at: IP-Info@fsu.edu.

Congratulations – your student is among the elite! Only about 1% of students in US higher education will study abroad as part of their university or college experience.

We are very proud to report that one in four 'Noles study abroad and our students understand the importance of expanding the learning opportunities beyond our borders and becoming globally competent citizens. They have life-changing experiences that are intellectually rigorous, personally challenging, culturally enriching and intensely fun! We know you have raised an independent, open minded student, but you may still be anxious. We strive to provide students with the information and assistance they need to succeed and to strike the ideal balance between supporting students and letting them overcome challenges on their own. We encourage you to do the same – be informed and supportive but not too involved.

Our well-trained staff and faculty, outstanding facilities, thorough orientation programs and extensive emergency plans are worthy of the confidence you’ve placed in us. Learn more about your student’s program by exploring the other tabs on this page.

Responsible Decision Making
We encourage you to discuss responsible decision-making with your student before departure. On occasion, students who are otherwise extremely responsible take uncharacteristically dangerous risks and make poor choices. In many cases, the consequences while abroad are much greater than in the United States. Violations of the Florida State University Student Code of Conduct or other rules and regulations of the program will result in judicial proceedings for which there are sanctions, up to and including expulsion from the program/university. In most countries, the legal drinking age is 18, so the study abroad experience is the first time many students can legally possess or consume alcohol. The majority of students who choose to consume alcohol do so responsibly, but it’s probably not a great surprise that most judicial or legal issues involve excessive alcohol consumption.

Communication
Students typically stay very ‘connected’ while they are abroad. Most of our programs provide internet access, though some have varying levels of access, depending on the location, facilities and nature of the program.

Many students purchase a ‘pay as you go’ cell phone or SIM card once they arrive in country. Others use smartphones or computer devices to communicate via Skype, FaceTime, or apps such as Viber. We encourage you to discuss your method(s) of communication, how often you expect to be in touch, and what you both should do in case of emergency. If you are unable to reach your student in the case of an emergency, please do not hesitate to contact the program director (whose number is included in the site-specific pre-departure pack), our office (850-644-3272), or the FSU Police Department (850-644-1234).

Culture Shock/Homesickness
Most students experience some degree of culture shock while participating on a study abroad program. Ironically, the discomfort that accompanies living in a place that has different values, expectations, standards, practices and in some cases, language, is often rooted in the cultural differences that the student is seeking when studying abroad!

Very often, within a day or two, routine problems resolve themselves or students find a solution and move on. Give your student some time to sort things out, and encourage them to find solutions. Check back with them in a day or two, and you’ll usually find that a problem that seemed insurmountable on Monday ceased to exist by Wednesday! However, for more serious issues, please encourage your student to deal directly with the resident assistant or program leader first rather than involving parents and staff who are thousands of miles away. Resolving problems independently usually yields even greater confidence and more independence. However, should a rare case or emergency arise, please feel free to contact the program director or our office.

Privacy
As a US university that receives Federal funding, we follow the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). Your student has the right to authorize us to discuss some or all aspects of his/her program with you (e.g. finances, grades, judicial, etc.). The program application gives the student the opportunity to select an option allowing us to discuss financial aspects with parents/guardians. The student may also complete the Release of Information form, which allows us to discuss even more program-related issues.

Visiting Your Student
Family members often wish to visit students before, during or after their program. We are always happy to meet family members, and we’re pleased to help facilitate a successful visit. In fact, our study centers provide listings of local hotels and hostels: Florence, London, Panama City, and Valencia. Overnight guests are not allowed in program housing. If you visit during the program, please remember the program is an academic one, and your student’s course requirements should still be their priority.

Fee includes: The fee includes all registration and instructional costs for up to 13 undergraduate credit hours for the summer session; up to 16 undergraduate credit hours for fall or spring; housing; program cultural excursions and activities; health insurance; international student ID card; entry visa; full-time academic and administrative support; T-shirt.

Not included: The fee does not include round-trip international airfare; passport; food; books and supplies; personal travel/activity/spending money; universityassessed fees (e.g. per credit hour technology fee).

Spring 2013

Jan 3- May 4 (121 Nights) $11,500 PN05 Panama SP13 Closed

Summer 2013

May 22- Aug 3 (73 Nights) $7,805 PN03 Panama SU13 Broad Curriculum 10 week Closed

Fall 2013

Aug 21- Dec 14 (115 Nights) $11,335 PN04 Panama FA13 Broad Curriculum Program  Apply Online

Spring 2014

Jan 3- May 4 (121 Nights) $11,335 PN05 Panama SP14 Broad Curriculum Program  Apply Online