USF 2006-2007 Undergraduate Catalog - USF St. Petersburg - Page 286
Location/Phone: BAY 204 (727) 553-4067
Web site: http:/www.stpt.usf.edu/international
The Office of International Affairs provides leadership, advocacy, development, and support for all central and college-based international activities. The office works in collaboration with the colleges to promote international education, research, outreach, and service programs. The office leads the development of academic program offerings (area studies) and services, international exchanges, partnerships with business, industry, and government both in the U.S. and overseas, and to establish the venues for international activities, and enhance faculty, student and staff training and development.
USFSP offers students the world as their classroom through its programs abroad. Whether a student chooses a short-term summer program, a semester or year spent at a university overseas, an internship, service learning or international co-op, there is a program for each student need. Studying abroad provides a unique learning environment, which extends and enhances courses taken on the home campus. Students can study abroad at any time in their academic careers. All disciplines offered at USFSP can be found in partner universities abroad, and so students have a wide range of study options.
USFSP overseas programs are designed to appeal to a wide audience. Students in any discipline can find a program of study to enhance their undergraduate degrees. Courses provide USFSP credit, thus students can be assured that if they plan carefully, they will continue to make steady progress towards graduation while they are abroad. Students seeking to round out their resumes with experiences abroad, which include internships, service learning, and co-op, will find options for them also. Several programs of overseas study lead to dual degrees, certificates, or double majors.
Many programs include organized cultural excursions, visits to important sites, and opportunities to interact with local people. All include unparalleled opportunities for cultural immersion and in-depth insight into the host country.
USFSP study abroad programs range in length from one week (over winter or spring break) to a semester. A number of faculty-led summer programs of 2-6 weeks provide the opportunity to concentrate study abroad in a summer session and help students fulfill the 9-hour summer school requirement. All programs are developed as cost-effectively as possible, recognizing the financial concerns of today’s students. Federal and state financial aid can be applied to USFSP programs abroad, and some additional scholarship assistance is available through the Study Abroad Office.
For additional information or a copy of the individual program brochures, please visit the Study Abroad Office, or check the web site.
Students who plan to participate in study abroad programs should consult their departmental advisors to determine whether the course of study they plan to pursue will be acceptable for meeting degree requirements.
The University of South Florida welcomes qualified students from all over the world to our campus community. The resulting international educational exchange leads to the enrichment of our common life, the intellectual development of our students, the research endeavors of the University, and mutual understanding between the peoples of the world represented at USF. The ensuing exchange of life stories exposes all USF students, faculty, and staff to the likenesses and differences that exist between cultures, worldviews, experiences, and ideas.
International Affairs has many administrative duties, including the issuance and maintenance of all visa documentation for foreign nationals at the University. International Affairs staff persons are experienced in cross-cultural counseling and crisis management in a cross-cultural setting. Advisement is available related to immigration matters, adjustment to life in the United States, culture shock, and other personal and academic matters. To further assist internationals in adjusting to life at USF, International Affairs provides letters of enrollment and expenses, orientation, and immigration workshops. International students and scholars may also contact International Affairs to get information regarding St. Petersburg/Tampa Bay area activities, transportation, housing, tourist attractions, and how to obtain a Florida driver license.
Please send questions or comments to:
Karen M. Hall - webcat@ugs.usf.edu
Effective Date: Semester I, 2006
http://www.ugs.usf.edu/catalogs/0607/stpintaff.htm