What is the value of studying abroad?
There are few life experiences that are truly transformational. Living abroad is one of them. Simply by living in another culture, you will rethink your own opinions on everything from politics to food. You will truly understand how large and diverse our world is, and you will thirst to experience more of it. Most students return home from their first international experience a changed person!

 

What is a student exchange program?
An exchange program is a formal agreement between universities or colleges that enables you to spend a semester or two abroad. Although UNF students can study abroad at other universities, participating in one of our exchange program simplifies the process in several ways. First, because the faculty at UNF and the partner institution know one another, exchange students are treated with extra care. They will meet you at the airport or train station, help you find housing etc. Second, the exchange agreement allows credits to transfer directly into your UNF program of study. Third, you continue to pay your tuition and fees to UNF, even when you are studying abroad, which keeps your study costs both stable and low.

 

How do I decide where to study?
Students choose their study abroad locations for various reasons, such as family history, country or regional interests, discipline focus, and language acquisition. Perhaps your ethnic background is German. A semester in Cologne could give you the opportunity to research your family tree and maybe even meet some distant relatives. If you have always been fascinated by the romance of Paris, that is a good reason to study there. If you are interested in China’s model of market socialism, experience it first-hand in Beijing. If you want to work on your Portuguese language skills, then choose one of our Brazilian partners. In short, choose a country that holds some special interest for you, and you will get the most out of your experience.

 

When should I start planning for study abroad?
Meet with the Study Abroad Advisor as early as possible, even if you are just thinking about going abroad. You will get answers to your questions and agree on a plan for determining whether a semester abroad is right for you. Preparing for a semester abroad typically takes 4-6 months. So start now!

 

How do I apply to become an exchange student?
The Study Abroad Advisor will help you to make your plans.
Email coggin.abroad@unf.edu and make an appointment to see the advisor. The Coggin College Study Abroad office is located in the Student Service Center on the second floor of the Coggin College of Business. Building 42, Room 2021.

 

Is it expensive to study abroad for so long?
No. In fact, most of our exchange partners are located in cities and countries in which the cost of living is significantly lower than Jacksonville’s. If you plan ahead so that you are not paying for housing here, you can actually study abroad and save money, even after you purchase your plane ticket.

 

Are Coggin College of Business short-term study abroad programs less expensive than semesters abroad?
Strangely enough, they usually aren’t. In short-term programs, hotel stays and group transportation can drive costs up. Moreover, the value of the international experience grows exponentially if you stay for four months instead of fourteen days.

 

Do I have to speak a foreign language to study abroad?
No. In fact, many of our partners teach some courses in English. Some even teach primarily in English. Of course, you can still study in the native language if you are able. Just by living abroad, you will pick up some of the language.

If I'm not fluent and they only teach in their own language, is there any way to go?
Yes. You’ll have to make a commitment, but it’s certainly possible and you’ll gain a valuable life-long skill. Either you can spend 2-4 months at a language institute abroad learning the language intensively. Or, if you have a basis for the language, you should be able to raise your level sufficiently during that time. Then you can begin studying business at the exchange partner.

 

What are the prerequisites for studying abroad?
There are two types of prerequisites. First, undergraduate business students must be juniors or seniors, and must have a UNF GPA of 2.75 or higher. Most programs require that you have completed ECO 2023, ECO 2013, MAN 3025, and MAR 3023 prior to departure. Graduate business students must have completed at least three 6000-level business courses at UNF and must have a UNF graduate GPA of at least 3.0. Second, each course abroad might have its own prerequisite. Just as at UNF, you must have passed the prerequisite in order to enroll for the course.

 

Are semester dates the same abroad as they are here?
Starting and ending dates for classes vary considerably. European semesters typically run from October to January, then March to July. In the Southern Hemisphere, seasons are reversed, so their summer holiday is December through February. Specific semester dates for each partner appear on individual program pages.

 

How do I select my courses?
Some UNF courses must be taken at UNF, while others may be taken abroad. Course selection will also depend on what is offered at the partner institution during the semester you want to be there. Whether you can study only in English or in the native language of the partner country can also affect course selection. For these reasons, it is best to start planning your semester abroad as early in your program of study as possible. The Study Abroad Advisor will work with you one-on-one to discuss your academic background and career goals, so you can select the best set of courses.

 

Are there any required courses while I'm abroad?
In France, you will be required to take a French language course and a French culture course. But if you’ve chosen France, those should be good requirements! Individual program pages will list required courses.

 

What are the best courses to take abroad?
Studying abroad affords you the opportunity to see a different view of the world than you experience in the US. Try to take courses about culture, business, economy, history, or politics of the country or region you are visiting. One reason that Americans find foreign languages difficult to learn is that they seldom have the opportunity to practice. Taking language courses abroad is doubly valuable, because you will reinforce your classroom learning all day, every day. On the other hand, taking a mathematics or statistics course abroad is of limited value, since the approach is likely to be quite similar to that at UNF.

 

What are the courses that I must take at UNF?
There are several restrictions that apply. For example, our classroom technology allows us to teach certain courses in a more hands-on manner than our partners can. In other cases, the benefit of taking a course abroad is limited because they teach the course essentially the same way that we do. There are also some disciplines, such as accounting, that require a strong US-orientation, making it difficult to substitute the non-US versions that our partners teach.

 

What courses are offered at each partner?
The Study Abroad Advisor will help you to make your plans.
Email coggin.abroad@unf.edu and make an appointment to see the advisor. The Coggin College Study Abroad office is located in the Student Service Center on the second floor of the Coggin College of Business. Building 42, Room 2021.

 

Are courses abroad the same as they are at UNF?
No. Cultural attitudes determine everything from food to business practices. Education, too, varies by culture. In some countries, you will not have textbooks. Lecture notes and handouts are your learning materials. In other nations, internet research is a major learning tool. Lecture styles also vary from straight lecture to interaction and teamwork.

 

How do foreign professors grade?
As in the US, different professors emphasize different issues in grading. Grading is also a cultural construct. For instance, French grades are typically calculated on a 1-20 scale. Nobody ever gets an 18 or higher, and at some institutions, 10 is the average grade. Americans used to 70% being passing might find this strange. You’ll need to talk with local students to understand the intricacies at each institution.

 

Where will I live?
Our exchange partners will help you to find a place to live. There are several options. The best way to learn about the country’s people and culture is to have a “home stay,” in which you live with a host family. If you prefer a bit more privacy, you can always choose to stay in a dormitory, to rent an apartment or a house with other students, or even to stay in a hotel if you can afford it. Housing recommendations will appear on individual program pages.

 

Can I work while I'm there?
Probably not, since most countries (including the US) prohibit foreign students from working while they study. Besides, you should spend your time studying and getting to know the people and the country. Some careful financial planning can make your semester abroad affordable even if you do not work while you are there.

 

Will I need a passport?
Yes. You can download the passport application and instructions from the U.S. Department of State web page. Passports are valid for ten years, so get one even if you are just considering the possibility of studying abroad.

 

Will I need a visa?
Yes. Although Americans do not need visas to enter most countries with which we have relationships, you will have to get a visa to be a student in any country. Students are required to individually obtain the necessary visa for study abroad prior to departure. Students should visit the U.S. Department of State webpage which links to each country’s Embassy. Many visa applications must be made in person.