The FSU Panama broad curriculum program gives you the opportunity to study a variety of disciplines while experiencing modern Panama City, historic districts, nearby beaches, and lush tropical regions.
The historic sites, dynamic business environment, and unspoiled terrain yield a wide variety of specialized excursions – which are included in the program fee – extending learning far beyond the classroom. Past excursions have included exploring the engineering marvels of the Panama Canal, touring Panama City’s colonial, old, and cosmopolitan areas, and visiting indigenous communities and their freshwater rapids. Learn about the culture, dances, food, handicrafts, and customs of Panama while living in Panama City. Opportunities for personal travel are provided throughout the program, giving you the freedom to explore on your own.
The FSU Panama calendar is dependent upon the FSU main campus calendar. Program dates are subject to change. Admitted FSU Panama program participants should not purchase a plane ticket for their program until instructed by International Programs to do so.
Do not purchase airline tickets until advised to do so by International Programs.
| Code | Term | Start Date | End Date | Fee | Apply |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PN03 | Summer 2023 | 05/11/23 | 08/05/23 | $13,565.00 | Closed |
| PN04 | Fall 2023 | 08/23/23 | 12/16/23 | $15,105.00 | |
| PN05 | Spring 2024 | 01/04/24 | 05/04/24 | $15,105.00 |
This program is open to all interested students.
Situated within the City of Knowledge, FSU Panama offers the amenities of a full campus. With students studying from all over Latin America and the Caribbean, 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 provide views of the Panama Canal and offer the perfect opportunity to spend time with friends while enjoying an empanada from the newly renovated café. On-site security ensures student safety is the top priority.
Click here to learn more about FSU Panama
The housing on these programs is 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, a TV, a 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 near the campus, please click here.
Group activities and excursions vary per session and may change due to unexpected events and/or new opportunities. Cultural immersion and social events planned for this program may include the following.
Bocas del Toro, Achotines tuna fish research laboratory, liquor distillery, turtle hatching expedition, highlands of Panama with visit to coffee plantation processing plant, San Blas Islands
Indigenous communities of Embera People, countryside excursion, certified agro-touristic farm, Taboga/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 Canal Visitor Center, Colonial/Old/Cosmopolitan Area visits, Colón Free Zone, Eco-Canal tour, eco-tourism and hiking
To speak with the International Programs Academic Advisor about study abroad courses, you can visit our zoom drop-in advising hours on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays from 10:00am-12:00pm. There are also appointments available via Campus Connect on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. If these times do not work for you, contact our advisor directly at IP-AcademicAdvising@fsu.edu to make an appointment.
IP provides Liberal Studies requirement areas in an effort to help students make informed decisions. Although every attempt is made to be accurate & current, requirement areas are fluid and it is the student’s responsibility to confirm all Liberal Studies requirement areas through the Liberal Studies Course Search Tool and your major advisor.
*/**/***/****/^ Courses followed by these symbols denote cross listing. Students may take one or the other, but not both.
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 they are not aware of alternative methods of funding. The Finances Team at International Programs 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 students in need of assistance. We also help concerned parents! Additionally, non-FSU students are strongly encouraged to contact the financial aid office at their home school as early as possible. Finally, FSU students will find additional helpful information on the FSU Financial Aid website.
Please review Understanding the Financial Aid Process for Students Studying Abroad to explore a range of issues for students who anticipate receiving any type of financial assistance. This is a document just for FSU IP students and families, with step-by-step guidance for the process. FSU students, access it here. Non-FSU students, access it here. For summer financial aid, please keep in mind a student must be enrolled in at least 6 hours in order to receive aid.
For information about the 1098-T form, click here.
To make a payment, click here.
Any student receiving any form of assistance below will want to complete a Fee Deferment to allow International Programs to delay the due date of the associated program fees. More information about the Fee Deferment is included in the step-by-step guidance at the link above.
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 $213.55 Per Credit Hour |
Bright Futures Medallion $160.16 Per Credit Hour |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
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 or access their requirements online at https://www.myfloridaprepaid.com/resources/forms/.
Note: Eligibility for summer financial aid requires enrollment in at least six credits.
| # 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 |
International Programs strives to award an average of $200,000 in scholarships annually to about 100 students.
Current FSU students who have been admitted to an international program can apply to IP scholarships through the FS4U portal (link below). Before applying, students should review the list of available scholarship opportunities as well as the application process instructions.
| Program Start Date | Scholarship Open Date | Scholarship Application Deadline | Scholarship Award Decisions Communicated to Applicants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring 2024 | April 12, 2023 | September 6, 2023 | Prior to September 20, 2023 |
| Summer 2023 | November 1, 2022 | January 9, 2023 | Prior to January 18, 2023 |
| Fall 2023 | January 11, 2023 | April 26, 2023 | Prior to May 24, 2023 |
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.
Florida State assesses a technology fee which is NOT included in the International Programs fee. The technology fee rate for 2021-2022 is assessed at $5.25 per credit hour for all students, regardless of location of study.
After registration, the student must pay the applicable technology fee; this fee is paid directly to Florida State University Student Business Services. Failure to pay this fee will result in a late payment charge being assessed to the student by Florida State University Student Business Services. International Programs has no control over the fee 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!
Join us for a virtual information session, register below! Or request a meeting by contacting IP-FinancialAid@fsu.edu. Be sure to follow us on social media @fsuip for updates.
The online fee deferment is located in the International Programs Student Portal under the Money Matters area. Login here to access the portal.
Cancellation requests must be submitted by the applicant via email to IP-Cancel@fsu.edu. Applicants should include their last name and program code in the email subject line.
The day FSU International Programs receives the written cancellation request is considered the date of cancellation/withdrawal. Admitted International Program participants who cancel after a published payment due date will remain financially liable for program fees as described below.
Refunds / release of liability cannot be granted in instances of withdrawal after a program has begun. In no instance is a refund or release of fee liability request considered if it is received after the end of the applicable program or semester, even if the cancellation or withdrawal occurred prior to the start of the program.
Participants must submit appeal requests and appropriate documentation to the International Programs Refund Committee (IP-Cancel@fsu.edu). Last name and program code should be included in the email subject line. Submission of an appeal does not guarantee a partial refund or release of fee liability will be approved by the International Programs Refund Committee.
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 longer than 90 days.
U.S. citizens participating in a study abroad program in Panama over the summer will not need to apply for a visa as long as the length of the program is under 90 days. Please keep the following immigration requirements in mind:
The majority of your immigration 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:
| Summer 2023 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Applications Open* | Wednesday, September 07, 2022 | $100.00 |
| Scholarship Applications Due | Monday, January 09, 2023 | |
| Commitment Fee Due | Wednesday, January 18, 2023 | $1500.00 |
| Full Payment Due | Wednesday, February 15, 2023 | |
*Early application is advisable as program enrollment is limited and acceptances are offered on a rolling basis.
***
| Fall 2023 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Applications Open* | Wednesday, January 11, 2023 | $100.00 |
| Scholarship Applications Due | Wednesday, April 26, 2023 | |
| Commitment Fee Due | Wednesday, May 24, 2023 | $1500.00 |
| Full Payment Due | Wednesday, June 21, 2023 | |
*Early application is advisable as program enrollment is limited and acceptances are offered on a rolling basis.
***
| Spring 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Applications Open* | Wednesday, April 12, 2023 | $100.00 |
| Scholarship Applications Due | Wednesday, September 06, 2023 | |
| Commitment Fee Due | Wednesday, September 20, 2023 | $1500.00 |
| Full Payment Due | Wednesday, October 18, 2023 | |
*Early application is advisable as program enrollment is limited and acceptances are offered on a rolling basis.
***
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 compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, the Florida State University study center safety guides include institutional policies concerning campus security, such as policies concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The report also contains statistics for the previous three years concerning reported crimes that occurred on campus, in certain off campus buildings or property owned or controlled by The Florida State University; and on public property within or immediately adjacent and accessible from the campus. A paper copy is available upon request to FSU International Programs at A5500 University Center, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306-2420, or by contacting FSU International Programs at (850) 644-3272 or (800) 374-8581.
Copies are also available from the study center administrative offices, or you may download from the links below:
