Florida State University recently won the 2017 Senator Paul Simon Award for Internationalization, awarded by NAFSA: Association of International Educators.

FSU has more than 40,000 students from more than 140 countries. Among the reasons cited by NAFSA are FSU’s widespread internationalization efforts across different academic programs; the Global Citizenship Certificate, which allows undergraduate students to gain cross-cultural communication skills and competencies that foster global-readiness; and FSU’s Republic of Panama branch campus, which serves as a hub for partnership development and U.S.-style education in Latin America.

Each year approximately 100 students transfer from the FSU-Panama campus and come from various countries in Latin America, as well as the Republic of Panama. Students from the FSU-Panama campus have a history of forging strong bonds and getting involved during their time at FSU.

“I am a Panamanian student who transferred to Tallahassee in Fall of 2016,” said Antonio Campagna, current president of the Panamanian Student Association (PTY at FSU). “Looking back at my previous (and first) semester at FSU, it is a truly great university with a great educational program.”

PTY at FSU promotes Panamanian culture and values in our local FSU community, bringing together Panamanians and non-Panamanians alike. The student organization has been active on campus and has hosted a Global Café at The Globe to share their culture with other students, faculty, and staff.

Ana Belén Croston transferred to FSU’s main campus in Fall 2015, and she characterizes it as the best experience of her life.

“The opportunities that Florida State University offers to its international students are amazing and so vast,” said Belén Croston. “As an international student, I get to meet and learn so much from literally every country on campus. I have friends from China, Japan, Costa Rica, Colombia, Spain, France, Greece, UK and so on … Florida State University will always be a place where our hearts can go freely and our beings will be accepted. The Center for Global Engagement just offers so many opportunities not only for international students but for all students in general.”

Domestic FSU students can study at FSU’s Republic of Panama campus through FSU’s International Programs office.