Jacob Shapiro
Global Exchanges Student
Bachelor's in Political Science

Jacob Shapiro, political science major at FSU, completed his Global Exchange at the University of Sussex in Brighton, England during fall 2019.

Shapiro was ready to expand his horizons after meeting students from the University of Sussex who were studying abroad at FSU, including his friend Amber Wood who he met up with again in England while on his exchange. “I was inspired to do the opposite of what they were doing and head across the pond to study,” he said. While studying internationally, FSU students can truly invest in other cultures around the globe through the Global Exchanges program.

Students can also broaden career opportunities or interests while on their exchange. Shapiro went into his exchange with hopes of attending law school after returning to FSU. “I plan to attend law school after I graduate FSU and the experience of being abroad has inspired me to take an interest in International Law,” he said. Many Global Exchanges students gain insight into their future career possibilities through the experience.

Now an FSU law student, Shapiro said the Global Exchange program prepared him for graduate-level schoolwork. “The actual class structure in England was different than what I was used to in my undergrad at FSU. They included seminars rather than just lectures. The seminars consisted of smaller group discussions about the course material with the professors leading the discussion and the students participating in the conversation about the coursework. This method of teaching is very similar to the Socratic method law professors in the United States use, so getting comfortable with the idea of speaking out loud in class and engaging in discussion about the reading was super helpful in gearing me towards graduate-level education,” he said.

Additionally, all the exams Shapiro took at the University of Sussex were strictly essay-based. Getting used to final grades being based solely on writing as opposed to multiple-choice exams was a learning curve that ultimately helped prepare him for law school. Overall, Shapiro says the most invaluable part of his experience was learning about American government, politics, and culture from another perspective. “My English professors were incredibly knowledgeable, and they all had a really unique perspective on these topics that changed my way of thinking,” he said.

“Having the opportunity to spend an extended amount of time in a foreign country has been an incredibly fun and eye-opening experience,” Shapiro said. Not only was he able to accomplish so much academically, but he also had fun traveling and participating in the English culture. He visited many English cultural sites such as Buckingham Palace, the Royal Pavilion, and Downtown London.

Global Exchanges is an exciting and culturally immersive opportunity for FSU undergraduates to live, learn, and explore another culture as an exchange student at a partner university. Students who participate in the program can pay FSU tuition, take classes toward their major earning FSU credit, and use their financial aid. Choose from 45+ partner universities worldwide and stay abroad for 1-2 semesters at a time.

“Absolutely take the opportunity while you can,” Shapiro said. “You don’t know when or if you will ever get the opportunity to live in a foreign country again."

FSU students who are interested in enrolling in a Global Exchange program can visit globalexchanges.fsu.edu to learn more or email goglobal@fsu.edu to request an advising session.

If you've been on a Global Exchange and would like to share your experience with the FSU community, fill out this 20-minute questionnaire and prepare to upload photos from your exchange.