Elise Gregg / Staff Writer
FIU students won’t be able to study abroad, at least until the summer of 2021 because of the global COVID-19 pandemic.
However, students interested in study abroad programs can participate in virtual alternatives including internships and FIU courses with elements of regular programs, with the same content, work, and engagement with professors, students, and employers from other countries.
The FIU Office of Study Abroad hosted an online conference on Wednesday, Nov. 18, to educate students on virtual study abroad programs offered in the upcoming spring semester.
“We know that [virtual learning] is not the same as study abroad,” said Susy Gomez, associate director of academic support services of the FIU Office of Study Abroad. “But we hope that it’s a great opportunity to pique the interest of students that might be interesting in studying abroad in the future…or who may not have the ability to study abroad right now.”
Virtual internships are another option for students where students are still able to work with companies from around the world to gain experience in their field.
“We had a student who worked with a company in Spain, but she did all the work from home,” said Ariana Arguello, program manager of the FIU Office of Study Abroad.
Although traveling currently isn’t a viable option for students due to the pandemic, the office is planning to open trips for the coming summer and fall 2021 semesters.
“The faculty right now are in the process of proposing their programs for next year,” Arguello said. “Because of COVID, things are a little more delayed…but we are definitely planning on having summer programs available for summer 2021, and a few of them are very…close to final approval.”
For students who are not interested in online programs, there’s still plenty they can do in the meantime to prepare for the reopening of study abroad programs, such as learning about how regular programs run, and how they can fund their trip.
For students interested in studying abroad planning a trip means knowing what FIU offers, and how to make a trip happen.
“I feel like you can do almost anything,” Gomez said. “There are so many opportunities, and if you find something that’s maybe a little outside the box, we’ll work with you to make that a reality for you.”
FIU offers three types of study abroad programs available to students: faculty-led programs, international exchange, and internships, and programs through third-party institutions.
Faculty-led programs last from one to six weeks during summer or semester breaks and tend to be smaller in group size.
“[Faculty-led is] the most popular,” Arguello said. “[Students] may want to look into a faculty-led trip because you’re paying in-state [tuition].”
Students can also try international student exchange where they also pay FIU tuition, although these require a little more commitment than faculty-led programs.
“This is when you want to go for a little bit longer…for an entire fall or spring semester or an entire academic year,” Arguello said.
Along with time, undergraduate students need a minimum 3.0 GPA to be a part of international exchange, whereas faculty-led programs only require a 2.0 GPA.
“You have to be fluent in that university’s language of instruction,” Arguello added, as exchange students are taught in the school’s host language.
International students must also have at least one semester left after a semester abroad; the only exception is business students, who must have two semesters remaining after a term abroad.
Students can also opt for programs or internships through third-party institutions, such as other universities hosting trips or companies offering internships.
Arguello said this is a good option for students who may be looking for a program FIU doesn’t offer or is unique to their major, mentioning that it offers flexibility in terms of time spent abroad and requirements.
“Cost is the biggest difference,” Arguello added, advising students to be aware that the program cost or tuition is paid directly to the third party, and may be significantly more expensive than an FIU-sponsored program.
Gomez discussed a variety of scholarships and other funding available, saying FIU students have a range of resources, faculty, and staff who work hard to make sure they can study abroad, no matter what option they choose.
“I can’t tell you how many faculty were like, ‘Okay, we can’t travel right now, let’s see what we can do…for students.’” Gomez said. “So many administrators across the university are really trying to make these opportunities a reality for students.”
Gomez said although COVID-19 changed what study abroad normally looks like for students, the Office of Study Abroad continues to create one-of-a-kind experiences.
“We want to be able to expand our programs and give them these unique opportunities,” Gomez said, “so I think it’s a little bit of everything…it’s perhaps the students themselves, and then the faculty [too].”
To learn more about FIU’s study abroad programs, you can visit their website.
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