2023 Study Abroad FAQ

Yes! Study Abroad Honors Hours will take place in September right before registration opens. Everything will be explained there, so make sure to attend!

For France / Italy / Spain: Tuesday September 13, 3:30-4:45pm, location: SIPA 125

For UK / Cambodia-Vietnam: Thursday September 15, 3:30-4:45pm, location: SIPA 125

For Costa Rica / Japan: Tuesday, September 20, 3:30-4:45pm, location: SIPA 125

Current Honors students need a minimum GPA of 3.3 and clearance from Allen Varela. To request yours, see the instructions on Question #3.

Freshmen, dual enrollment, and FTICs do not need clearance.

Newly admitted Freshmen, Dual Enrollment, and FTIC’s (first-time in college students)

–      Students without an FIU GPA: If space is available, freshmen in their first year who do not yet have an FIU GPA may apply for a Study Abroad program after their Fall grades have been posted (Dec 15, 2022.) Students must have earned a minimum GPA of 3.3 to apply.

–      Students with a College GPA: Dual Enrollment students and FTIC’s, with or without a completed AA degree, who have placed into the upper division Honors curriculum, must have a minimum 3.3 overall college GPA to apply.

–      All qualifying newly admitted freshmen and FTICs must have attended an Honors Orientation or Workshop to enroll in an Honors Study Abroad Program.

Email Allen Varela at honorsabroad@fiu.edu the following:

• Name
• PID Number
• Program of Interest
• Put “Clearance” in the Subject line

She will reply with your status on a first come, first serve basis. Emails received after September 9, 2022, are not guaranteed to be answered before registration opens. Hurry up!

Registration works by appointment only and on a first come, first served basis.

1. For Spain, registration opens on September 27^th. Schedule your appointment online from September 16^th at 10:00am sharp to September 23^rd at 10:00am, HERE
2. For Italy, registration opens on September 27^th. Schedule your appointment online from September 16^th at 10:00am sharp to September 23^rd at 10:00am, HERE
3. For France, registration opens on September 29^th. Schedule your appointment online from September 16^th at 10:00am sharp to September 23^rd at 10:00am, HERE
4. For UK, registration opens on September 29^th. Schedule your appointment online from September 16^th at 10:00am sharp to September 23^rd at 10:00am, HERE
5. For Japan, registration opens on October 4^th. Schedule your appointment online from September 23^rd at 10:00am sharp to September 30^th at 10:00am, HERE
6. For Cambodia-Vietnam, registration opens on October 4^th. Schedule your appointment online from September 16^th at 10:00am sharp to September 30^th at 10:00am, HERE
7. For Costa Rica, registration opens on October 6^th. Schedule your appointment online from September 23^rd at 10:00am sharp to September 30^th at 10:00am, HERE

No. As long as you are eligible (see question #2,) are cleared, and are sure you can comply with the 2023 Study Abroad payments, guidelines and policies, you can schedule an appointment to register.

Students new to Honors do not need clearance.

Costa Rica will be a Spring/Summer program in 2023.

We want students to have the freedom to purchase their flights on their own terms. Some students might want to use accrued miles, arrive earlier, stay longer, or extend their trip to other cities or countries. This is the only way to allow that.

Students are free to fly together or however they want. The Spring class on-campus allows students to get to know each other and plan their flights together if that’s their preference.

All programs are interdisciplinary and work for all majors. You can make your study abroad experience as much, or as little, about your major as you want it to be. You can gear your project towards your major’s topic or take a break from it and do the opposite.

It’s your choice. You don’t have to. Your study abroad program will satisfy your one-year, 6 required Honors credits: 3 credits for the Spring on-campus mandatory class + 3 credits for the Summer trip. But, since there are no guarantees you will get registered on one—it works on a first come, first served basis—it is recommended you do take a seminar. You could fall behind if you don’t.

It is up to you and how soon you want to satisfy your Honors credits. It is preferred not to enroll in any other IDH year-long courses if you are planning to register in a study abroad program, but check with your Honors advisor to decide the best path for you.

Yes

Yes, they do! But always check with faculty and let them know where you are going to be and how to contact you.

Make sure you will be able and willing to comply with your destination countries’ COVID laws and guidelines

Check with your online advisor. If they allow you to take the Spring class on campus (IDH 4007,) we will be happy to take you! Ask them to email their consent to Allen Varela at honorsabroad@fiu.edu.

No. Registering for study abroad is a big commitment and should not be taken lightly. Once you register you are committed to go. There are no refunds and switching programs is not allowed.

For information about Study Abroad Scholarships, go to: https://studyabroad.fiu.edu/fiu-students/funding/index.html.

If you have any questions, contact the Office of Education Abroad at (305) 348-1913 or at edabroad@fiu.edu. If you want to go in person, they are located at SASC 230.

If you are a U.S. citizen receiving the Federal Pell Grant, you should apply for the Benjamin Gilman Scholarship at https://www.gilmanscholarship.org/

Yes. But if you are paying through a scholarship, it is still your responsibility to have the payments made by the deadlines and in their entirety. Same with tuition fees. It would be your responsibility to contact Financial Aid to ensure they will be complying by the deadlines. If any delays are foreseen for the program fees, you must notify the Honors College of the situation in advance. Tuition fees must be paid by the Honors deadlines. If your scholarship will not cover the full amount due by then, it will be your responsibility to pay the balance out-of-pocket.

No!  All students pay in-state tuition for their 6 study abroad credits!!! ($616.71 per semester)

FIU and/or the Honors College reserve the right to cancel study abroad programs—the only case in which a refund will be made. The refund will cover the program’s cost and the $500 deposit. Late fees, if any, will not be refunded or removed. Students are responsible for fees or losses incurred in canceling or changing their airfare ticket and any other expenses not covered by the program fee. Purchasing Trip Cancellation insurance coverage is recommended. Refunds for the $195 OEA fee will be at OEA’s discretion.

We are hoping by the beginning of Fall 2022.

Allen Varela at honorsabroad@fiu.edu