With such deep roots in this multinational crossroads city, we have excellent working relationships with Panamanian agencies, NGOs, and enterprises. Internship opportunities are especially interesting because both the region’s natural and business settings are so distinctive. The Republic of Panama is a an important trade and business center. It is a place where two oceans meet, offering many opportunities and an unparalleled place to experience and learn about Latin America’s crucial world role.
All interns will be assigned a placement prior to their departure to Panama City. Levels of Spanish comprehension and conversation may vary according to placement and is determined by the organization. All internships are full-time and unpaid.
Do not purchase airline tickets until advised to do so by International Programs.
Code | Term | Arrival Date | Departure Date | Fee |
---|---|---|---|---|
IN05 | Fall 2024 | 08/21/24 | 12/14/24 | $15,845.00 |
IN08 | Spring 2025 | 01/03/25 | 05/03/25 | $15,845.00 |
IN02 | Summer 2025 | 05/08/25 | 08/02/25 | $14,610.00 |
IN05 | Fall 2025 | 08/21/25 | 12/13/25 | $16,130.00 |
IN08 | Spring 2026 | 01/05/26 | 05/02/26 | $16,130.00 |
This program is open to all degree-seeking FSU students.
Specific placements cannot be guaranteed, are subject to availability, and may require specific skills or previous experience. Internship opportunities for those seeking a professional global experience through this program can include, but are not limited to the following placements areas:
Other areas of placement may be considered after consultation with Panama staff.
Situated within the City of Knowledge across from the Panama Canal, FSU Panama offers the amenities of a full campus. With students studying from all over Latin America and the Caribbean at FSU Panama, there is a unique opportunity to meet students from a variety of diverse backgrounds. The City of Knowledge offers amenities such as a food court, swimming pool, basketball court, gym, and more. FSU Panama features classrooms, study spaces, science labs, as well as a library and a bookstore. The student lounge & terrace on the top-floor provides views of the Panama Canal and is the perfect place to spend time with friends while enjoying an empanada from the small café. On-site security ensures student safety is the top priority.
Students studying at FSU Panama live in a dormitory-style residence within the City of Knowledge complex. Located just a short walk or shuttle ride away from FSU Panama, each room is equipped with air conditioning, Wi-Fi, TV, mini-fridge, study-space, and balcony. On their floor, students have access to a kitchenette with a microwave, coffee maker, and refrigerator. Fingerprint entry grants students access to a fully equipped kitchen, coin-operated laundry room, vending machines, and student lounge on the main floor. Overnight guests are not allowed in program housing. For a list of hotels in Panama City, please click here.
Cultural immersion and social events planned for this program may include the following. Group activities and excursions vary per term and may change due to unexpected events and/or new opportunities.
Overnight Excursions
Bocas del Toro, Achotines tuna fish research laboratory, liquor distillery, turtle hatching expedition, highlands of Panama with a visit to coffee plantation processing plant, San Blas Islands
Day Excursions
Indigenous communities of Embera People, countryside excursion, certified agro-touristic farm, Toboga/Contadora Islands, Portobelo/San Lorenzo fortress, Isla Grande, Saboga Island, Viveros Island, Playa Blanca, and Pollera Conga festival, Diablos and Congos festival, Jungle safari tour with beach and zoo visit, deep-sea fishing, snorkeling, and surfing
Panama Excursions
Panama Canal Visitor Center, Colonial/Old/Cosmopolitan Area visits, Colón Free Zone, Eco-Canal tour, eco-tourism and hiking
Other Activities
Thank you for your interest in participating in an FSU International Programs internship program. Internships are an opportunity for students to gain experience within a field of study and career interests. Most of all, you can gain valuable and transferrable professional and personal development skills, all while receiving academic credit. Please note all internships are unpaid.
What do I need to get started?
Do your research. Meet with your academic advisor to determine if an internship abroad fits into your academic map. Speak with the IP Internship Manager about your interests, career goals, and placement opportunities. Contact the IP Internship Manager at IP-Intern@fsu.edu. FSU students can make an appointment after attending the require information session. To schedule an appointment, contact with IP Program Manager. Please include your information session date of attendance in your request.
Apply. After doing your research and finding the perfect program, it’s time to submit an online application (accessed from the relevant program page) for the international program of your choice. Internship abroad programs have a $250 non-refundable application fee.
Commit to participate. Being admitted to a program was only the beginning of your international journey. Your participation is not confirmed until you have paid or deferred the non-refundable Commitment Fee. Failure to pay or defer the commitment fee by the published due date will result in cancellation from the program. Before committing, you should review all relevant program information (dates, courses, visa requirements, fee liability, etc.) available on the program page and in the International Programs Student Portal.
We understand financial considerations heavily influence study abroad decisions. The International Programs Financial Team hosts financial aid workshops and can answer financial aid questions during in-person advising appointments or via email: IP-FinancialAid@fsu.edu.
Program Fees
Instead of main campus tuition, participants pay an International Program (IP) fee that typically includes instructional costs for a set number of credit hours, housing abroad during the program dates, international health insurance coverage, plus excursions & group activities. Each program fee is listed on the garnet Description tab of the program page, along with the specific expenses that are/are not included.
Payments
The program fee is split into two payments: a non-refundable ‘commitment fee’ followed by a second ‘full payment’ to pay the remaining balance of the program fee. Check the garnet Dates & Docs tab of the program page for specific payment due dates. To make a payment, click here. Always review the cancellation & fee liability policy for your program before making a payment or deferment.
Financial Aid
Almost all sources of Financial aid (Florida Prepaid, Bright Futures, Loans, Grants, VA funding, Scholarships) can be used toward program fees. Click the boxes below and review the IP Financial Aid Handbook to learn more about financial aid for studying abroad, including the fee deferment process that allows those receiving financial aid to delay paying a portion of their program fee until the beginning of their program term, when most financial aid will have disbursed. A deferment does not reduce your balance owed, it only changes the due date.
For information about the 1098-T form, click here.
Florida Bright Futures scholarship funds may be used to help pay the program fee for every semester a student is abroad.
The Florida Department of Education website contains additional information concerning eligibility, renewal criteria, appeal processes and legislative updates.
Credit Hours | Bright Futures Academic | Bright Futures Medallion |
---|---|---|
3 | $640.65 | $480.48 |
6 | $1281.30 | $960.96 |
7 | $1494.85 | $1121.12 |
8 | $1708.40 | $1281.28 |
9 | $1921.95 | $1441.44 |
10 | $2135.50 | $1601.60 |
11 | $2349.05 | $1761.76 |
12 | $2562.60 | $1921.92 |
13 | $2776.15 | $2082.08 |
14 | $2989.70 | $2242.24 |
15 | $3203.25 | $2402.40 |
16 | $3416.80 | $2562.56 |
17 | $3630.35 | $2722.72 |
18 | $3843.90 | $2882.88 |
Note: Eligibility for Bright Futures in the summer requires enrollment in at least six credit hours.
Florida Prepaid (FPP) tuition and local fees and/or dorm benefits may be used to pay International Programs fees.
To use a Florida Prepaid dorm account during the summer term, the purchaser of the Prepaid account must contact Florida Prepaid and complete the steps required to authorize use of the summer dorm plan for studying abroad. All other plans will be billed by FSU without additional authorization.
Contact Florida Prepaid directly at 1-800-552-4723.
# of Credits Enrolled | FPP Tuition | FPP Local Fees* | Dorm Rate |
---|---|---|---|
1 | $115.08 | $34.73 | $4050.00 |
2 | $230.16 | $69.46 | Per Term** |
3 | $345.24 | $104.19 | |
4 | $460.32 | $138.92 | |
5 | $575.40 | $173.65 | |
6 | $690.48 | $208.38 | |
7 | $805.56 | $243.11 | |
8 | $920.64 | $277.84 | |
9 | $1035.72 | $312.57 | |
10 | $1150.80 | $347.30 | |
11 | $1265.88 | $382.03 | |
12 | $1380.96 | $416.76 | |
13 | $1496.04 | $451.49 | |
14 | $1611.12 | $486.22 | |
15 | $1726.20 | $520.95 | |
16 | $1841.28 | $555.68 | |
17 | $1956.36 | $590.41 |
International Programs strives to award an average of $200,000 in scholarships annually to about 100 students.
Current FSU students who have applied to an international program can apply to the International Programs scholarship opportunity through the FS4U portal (link below). Before applying, students should review the list of available awards that are made from this opportunity as well as the application process instructions.
Program Start Date | Scholarship Open Date | Scholarship Application Deadline | Scholarship Award Decisions Communicated to Applicants |
---|---|---|---|
Spring 2025 | April 29, 2024 | September 4, 2024 | Prior to September 18, 2024 |
Summer 2025 | November 1, 2024 | December 31, 2024 | Prior to January 15, 2025 |
Fall 2025 | January 5, 2025 | April 23, 2025 | Prior to May 1, 2025 |
Spring 2026 | April 28, 2025 | September 3, 2025 | Prior to September 17, 2025 |
Other departments at FSU also offer their own study abroad scholarship opportunities. You can review the list of scholarships administered by other FSU departments by following the link below.
Other departments at FSU also offer their own study abroad scholarship opportunities. You can review the list of scholarships administered by other FSU departments by following the link below.
Follow the link below for a general listing of scholarships that may be available for international study. These scholarships are available to both FSU students and non-FSU students.
Multi-Term Discount
Students who have completed 15 or more credit hours on programs administered by the International Programs office, earning at least a 3.0 average or above in their course work at an international location(s), are eligible for a discount for subsequent IP program. The discount is $500 for summer session or $1,000 for fall or spring semester. Note: This discount is built into the program fees for First Year Abroad program students.
FSU assesses a technology fee which is NOT included in the International Programs fee. The technology fee rate for 2024-2025 is assessed at $5.25 per credit hour for all students, regardless of location of study.
After registering for classes for the term abroad, the student will be charged the applicable technology fees; these fees are paid directly to Florida State University Office of Student Finance. Failure to pay these fees will result in a late payment charge being assessed to the student by Florida State University Office of Student Finance. International Programs has no control over these fees or any associated late payment penalty.
International Programs fees do NOT include Facilities and Equipment Fees, which are assessed each semester for some majors (Medicine, Motion Pictures Arts, Music, Nursing, Fine Arts, Dance, Digital Media Production, etc.) even though you are studying overseas. If you are in one of these colleges/majors, you will be assessed a fee. Details can be found on the Registration Guide, under 'Fees and Financial Information.'
The world is within your reach! Talk with a member of IP's Finances Team to learn how your financial aid can help you have a study abroad experience of a lifetime!
Book an appointment with an IP Financial Aid representative, click here. For additional questions, contact us at IP-FinancialAid@fsu.edu. Be sure to follow us on social media @fsuip for updates.
If a student will be receiving any form of financial aid or payment assistance, including Bright Futures, Florida Prepaid, other scholarships, veteran’s benefits, or has a 529 savings plan and needs additional time to gather those resources, the fee deferment allows those receiving assistance to delay paying a portion of their program fee until the beginning of their program term, when most financial aid will have disbursed. A deferment does not reduce the balance owed, it only changes the due date of the portion deferred. All amounts deferred are due 10 days after the program term starts. Always review the cancellation & fee liability policy for your program before completing a deferment. The online fee deferment is located in the International Programs Student Portal under the Money Matters area. Login here to access the portal.
All cancellation requests must be sent directly by the applicant via email to IP-Cancel@fsu.edu.
When submitting your cancellation request, please ensure your email includes:
Subject Line: Include your last name and the program code.
Email Body: State the reason for cancellation, include the program code again, and provide your campus ID or EMPLID.
The date that FSU International Programs receives the written cancellation request will be considered the official date of cancellation/withdrawal. Participants admitted to an International Program who cancel after the payment due date has passed will still be responsible for the program fees as outlined below.
No refunds or releases from fee liability are possible after a program has begun or after the program or semester has ended. Full refunds, including the Commitment Fee, are granted only under specific conditions such as involuntary military duty, death of the student or immediate family member, prior to the program start, with appropriate documentation.
To request a partial refund or release of liability, please submit your appeal to the International Programs Refund Committee. Appeals should be emailed to IP-Cancel@fsu.edu with the following details:
If additional documents or further explanations are required, they will be requested by the committee to ensure a thorough review and to aid in making a fair decision.
Please note that submitting an appeal does not guarantee approval.
The Refund Committee will consider the timing of the cancellation in relation to the event necessitating withdrawal and the start date of the program. Approved appeals
based on medical withdrawal or exceptional circumstances may result in partial refunds or releases from fee liability, depending on the cancellation date.
When evaluating appeals, the Refund Committee considers the timeliness of the cancellation request in relation to the event causing the need for withdrawal and in relation to the program start date. Should the Refund Committee approve an appeal on the basis of medical withdrawal or exceptional unforeseen circumstances, participants may receive a partial refund / partial release of fee liability as determined by their cancellation date in the chart below:
If Cancellation Date is… |
Participant's Financial Liability if appeal is approved by IP Refund Committee |
Max amount of refund / release of financial liability if appeal is approved by IP Refund Committee |
60 days or more before program start date |
Commitment Fee + 25% of remaining program fee balance |
75% of program fee balance after the commitment fee |
59-31 days before program start date |
Commitment Fee + 50% of remaining program fee balance |
50% of program fee balance after the commitment fee |
30 days or less before program start date |
Commitment Fee + 75% of remaining program fee balance |
25% of program fee balance after the commitment fee |
On or after program start date |
Liable for full program fee | No refund/release of financial liability |
Refunds of program fees/release of liability for program fees will be granted when International Programs cancels a program prior to the beginning of the applicable term.
If FSU International Programs cancels an International Program after the program start date (or after the start of domestic or online coursework prior to the study abroad component of Spring Break/short-term programs) due to causes beyond the control of FSU International Programs, including, but not limited to, acts of God; natural disasters; riots; war; epidemics; terrorist activities; government restrictions; failure of suppliers, subcontractors, or carriers; or travel warnings or prohibitions issued by the World Health Organization or any U.S. federal government agency, including the Centers for Disease Control and the U.S. Department of State, no refunds of any kind will be issued. However, FSU International Programs, in its sole discretion, may issue refunds for unused program costs such as housing.
The $100 application fee is nonrefundable.
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. Students whose offer of admission to Florida State University is rescinded after the confirmation deposit is paid or deferred (in accordance with the due date) will not be able to participate but remain fee liable for the confirmation deposit.
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 WILL BE granted in instances of withdrawal prior to the start of the program under the following circumstances:
Refunds of program fees will not be granted where a student becomes ineligible to participate in a program for failure to meet or maintain admission requirements.
Partial refunds of program fees MAY BE granted in instances of withdrawal prior to the start of the program under the following circumstances:
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
A visa is required for U.S. citizens participating in a study abroad program in the Republic of Panama.
The majority of the visa application process will take place in Panama with assistance from the Florida State University Republic of Panama staff. Please be aware of the following requirements before departure:
Spring 2025 | ||
---|---|---|
Applications Open | Wednesday, April 03, 2024 | $250.00 |
Intern Application Close | Wednesday, July 31, 2024 | |
Scholarship Applications Due | Wednesday, September 04, 2024 | |
Intern Acceptance Due* | Wednesday, August 07, 2024 | |
Commitment Fee Due | Wednesday, September 18, 2024 | $1,500.00 |
Full Payment Due | Wednesday, October 16, 2024 |
* No admissions made after this date. All materials must have been received and processed in time to make admission decisions prior to this date. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.
Summer 2025 | ||
---|---|---|
Applications Open | Wednesday, October 09, 2024 | $250.00 |
Intern Application Close | Wednesday, December 04, 2024 | |
Scholarship Applications Due | Tuesday, December 31, 2024 | |
Intern Acceptance Due* | Wednesday, December 11, 2024 | |
Commitment Fee Due | Wednesday, January 15, 2025 | $1,500.00 |
Full Payment Due | Wednesday, February 12, 2025 |
* No admissions made after this date. All materials must have been received and processed in time to make admission decisions prior to this date. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.
For 60 years, Florida State University International Programs has been committed to providing a rewarding academic and cultural experience that enriches the lives of our students. Our highest priority is and always has been the welfare and security of our students.
Program directors maintain contact with our Tallahassee office, local authorities, and United States officials, both at home and abroad. Each program holds meetings with students in which safety procedures and precautions are detailed and regularly re-emphasized. Each program has an Emergency Plan which includes details about local health care facilities, meeting points and procedures, and contingency plans and funds should it ever become necessary to evacuate our students.
Students are reminded to inform International Programs of the details of their independent travel details via our online travel form, heed US State Department travel advisories, and take relevant emergency and US Embassy/Consulate contact information with them.
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 in a safe and secure learning environment.
All International Programs fees include international medical and evacuation insurance coverage through Cultural Insurance Services International (CISI). A link to our policy is provided below. The coverage will be effective for participants from the day the program starts until the day the program ends. Please note: this policy is NOT intended to replace your domestic coverage. For more information, visit studentinsurance.fsu.edu.
FSU International Programs encourages program participants to consider purchasing travel insurance. Travel insurance comes in many forms and can protect you in case you need to change your travel plans due to unforeseen circumstances. The coverage ranges from help with lost baggage to delay in flight plans to trip cancellation.
Travel insurance that covers fees associated with changing your airfare plans is especially helpful for those attending programs that require entry or student visas. Immigration approval can take months with regulations changing often that can cause the need to delay or cancel flight plans. Often airfare arrangements are non-refundable or cannot be changed without fee penalties. Certain types of trip cancellation insurance will reimburse you the cost of your airfare or penalty fees. Travel Insurance must cover failure to obtain visa.
You may wish to begin researching travel insurance and trip cancellation policies by using the Travel Insurance Review website. Their Travel Insurance 101: The Complete Guide to Travel Insurance section is particularly helpful for those just beginning their research. They also have a section that allows you to compare different policies.
Travel insurance is also offered through CISI and Travel Insured International. Please note that this plan must be purchased within 21 days of paying your first fee. For example, if looking to insure the cost of the program, the plan must be purchased within 21 days of paying the commitment fee to International Programs. If wishing to insure only the cost of the flight, the plan must be purchased within 21 days of purchasing airfare.
In accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (the “Clery Act”), Florida State University must provide annual notice to the campus community regarding the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report. The 2024 Annual Security and Fire Safety Report is now available and can be viewed on the Florida State University Police Department’s webpage. The reports contain statistics from the previous three years of reported crimes that occurred on campus, in off-campus buildings or property owned or controlled by FSU, and on public property within or immediately adjacent to the campuses.
Additionally, this report includes important information regarding policy information related to campus security, policies regarding drug and alcohol use, crime prevention, sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking prevention, as well as fire safety systems, fire statistics, and fire safety policy information.
No. You are expected to be in attendance for the entire duration of your internship. Exceptions will be granted for serious illness or death in immediate family (parent, legal guardian, spouse, child or sibling) or a health issue.
No. You are only permitted to stay in program housing during your program dates. If you choose to arrive early or stay late, you must make your own housing accommodations.
Internships vary depending on location. In London, internships are part-time (max. 20 hours per week)
in the Fall and Spring semesters. Internships are full-time for six weeks in the Summer semester in London.
Interns in Florence work part-time (approximately 20 hours per week) and take classes (approximately 6 credit hours).
You are not able to enroll in courses if you participate in an internship in Panama, Valencia, Hong Kong, and Sydney because the internship placements are full-time. Florence and London allows interns to enroll in courses since the placements are part-time (Fall and Spring only in London). In order to participate in an internship in Florence, you must have taken university-level Italian I and passed with at least a “C" or better prior to leaving for Florence. You are also required to take Italian Level II and/or III while in Florence unless you have already taken these courses prior to the internship.
Yes. This is an academic program and you are required to take a minimum of six credit hours.
Yes. You can earn academic credit towards your minor, major, or both if they are approved by your college or school.
No, all internships are unpaid. However, students can receive academic credit on their transcript.
The International Programs on-site coordinator will arrange an interview with another organization.
The amount of credits you can receive varies based on the requirements of your major or minor. It is best to speak with an academic advisor to determine the specific amount of credit hours necessary.
You cannot defer the application fee. It must be paid before the application can be reviewed by International Programs.
International Programs keeps a copy of your passport in the event that it is lost or stolen to provide tangible proof to the U.S. consulate.
No. International Programs internship program is only offered on a semester basis.
No. If you want to participate in an International Programs internship program, you must be an enrolled student. Once you graduate, you will no longer be eligible to participate in our program. However, if you would like to find out more information, email IP-intern@fsu.edu or IP-info@fsu.edu.