First Steps & Information Sessions

Step 1: Attend an Information Session for Global Exchanges

All students interested in an exchange are required to start with this step to find out the basics such as how to select a program, academic courses, financial aid & scholarships, and timelines. Spring 2025 Schedule:

• In-Person Sessions offered: Tuesdays at 12:00 pm and Fridays at 1 pm in room 2300 of the Globe Building (110 S. Woodward Ave).
• Zoom info sessions are also offered. Check the online calendar to sign up for our regularly scheduled Zoom info sessions.
• If neither these options work for you, email globalexchanges@fsu.edu and suggest some available dates and times. We look forward to meeting with you!

Step 2: Research and Choose your Program

As you are researching the program options and reviewing the program brochures to narrow your exchange location to one university, consider factors such as your remaining degree requirements, special deadlines and eligibility requirements, location, amount of time abroad, and budget. Start planning your exchange as early as possible and no later than 3-4 months before deadlines to allow time to research options and complete application steps. This means starting the application process in the semester BEFORE the application deadline, which could be a year before the start of your actual program. As part of your research, allow time to discuss the general idea of going abroad with your main academic advisor to determine the best timing for your exchange program and complete your academic requirements. 
 

Step 3: Contact Your Academic Advisor

After you have chosen the program you plan to apply to, and have started researching the available courses, contact your academic advisor. Review the courses offered at the exchange university and bring this information with you to your academic advisor or the faculty member responsible for the exchange program selection (this will be noted in the application steps). Begin completing the Course Approval Form to list the courses you would like to take at the exchange university. See the Course Approval Form for further instructions about this step.
 

Step 4: Plan Finances

Read more about planning your finances for study abroad on the Planning Finances page.
 

Step 5: Plan Academics

Read more about planning your academics on study abroad on the Academic Planning page.
 

Step 6: Complete and Submit the Application

Complete and submit the FSU online application for the exchange program to which you are applying.  FSU will review your application after the deadline and update you on the status of your application after all applicants are reviewed (this can take 2-4 weeks after the deadline). You can only apply to one program at a time for a given term. To learn more about the application, visit the How to Apply page. If your application is selected to move forward, you will receive information about completing the exchange university's application process.