Viral social media content from international visitors attending the FIFA World Cup is showing how everyday interactions across the United States can become a form of citizen diplomacy that may help reshape global perceptions of the country.

Whether it’s fans from Japan marveling at Texas barbecue, Scotland’s Tartan Army spreading goodwill in Boston or German content creators becoming enamored with Buc-ee’s, international visitors have consistently shared positive reactions to American hospitality, food and local culture.

The social media content offers a contrast to some perceptions of the United States. According to the Pew Research Center, some of Europe’s hottest soccer hubs stated that they believed the U.S. was plagued by “very strong partisan conflicts.”

Florida State University Professor of Sociology Deana Rohlinger studies mass media, social movements, digital participation and democratic processes. She said the FIFA World Cup offers one of the largest examples of citizen diplomacy, when ordinary people act as informal ambassadors and generate goodwill that governments cannot easily create.

“Social scientists have known for decades that when people from different groups interact under positive conditions, stereotypes often break down. The World Cup is one of the largest examples imaginable,” Rohlinger said.

While diplomacy is often viewed as a top-down process led by governments and political leaders, citizen diplomacy works from the bottom up. International visitors’ own perceptions change by experiencing what U.S. culture is about.

“Part of why this resonates is that it pushes back against a story we’ve been telling ourselves for years,” Rohlinger added. “So much of what we encounter emphasizes polarization, conflict and dysfunction that those images start to define how we see ourselves. Then outsiders, people with no reason to flatter us, arrive expecting one thing and encounter another. Their reactions interrupt the narrative. They provide a more generous, and probably more accurate, reflection of who we are.”

Media interested in learning more about citizen diplomacy and how the FIFA World Cup is influencing perceptions of the U.S. may contact Professor of Sociology Deana Rohlinger via email at drohling@fsu.edu.

Deana Rohlinger, professor of sociology, Florida State University College of Social Sciences and Public Policy

How does citizen diplomacy become so effective in the case of FIFA World Cup visitors experiencing the United States?

 Part of what makes these moments powerful is that visitors arrive with expectations shaped by headlines and social media. Then they encounter something more mundane and more human: strangers striking up conversations, neighbors helping with directions, someone insisting they have to experience Buc-ee’s, or introducing them to the marvel of a Big Gulp. These small interactions sound trivial, but they leave impressions. And because so many of us are watching these encounters unfold online, the goodwill extends far beyond the people who were actually there. Visitors show up expecting a divided, unwelcoming country, discover something different, and then tell the world. That’s how the script gets flipped. 

How can this type of positive social media content boost morale to U.S. citizens and their own thoughts/opinions of their country?

There’s something powerful about hearing these positive reactions from strangers. Praise from people who don’t owe us anything feels more credible than self-congratulation. The effect is probably temporary, but moments like this remind people that the angry, divided portrait we carry around is only part of the picture. Everyday interactions, ordinary kindness and even shared excitement over things as mundane as Buc-ee’s or a Big Gulp point to another side of American life that often gets lost in the headlines.

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This summer, Florida State University will welcome scholars from India’s top research institutions to Tallahassee through a new initiative designed to spark international collaboration, accelerate innovation and expand FSU’s global research partnerships. 

The inaugural Visiting Scholars Partnership Program (VSPP) is designed to strengthen high-impact, research-and innovation-centered partnerships with leading universities around the world. The pilot program, which takes place July 5-31, will bring scholars from four highly ranked international institutions to FSU’s Tallahassee campus for exploratory research collaborations.  

During their stay, each visiting scholar will be paired with FSU faculty aligned with their expertise and desire to build international partnerships. Visiting scholars will explore FSU’s world-class facilities, meet administrators across multiple departments and engage in rich, one-on-one collaboration with their faculty peers several times each week. 

Housed in the Office of the Provost, the initiative receives strategic oversight from the Office for Strategic Initiatives and Innovation and is implemented by the Learning Systems Institute (LSI), which conducts research and develops evidence-based interventions to improve individual and organizational performance. 

“Florida State University believes some of the most meaningful breakthroughs happen when scholars from different backgrounds and perspectives come together to exchange ideas,” said Jim Clark, provost and executive vice president for Academic Affairs. “The Visiting Scholars Partnership Program creates opportunities for collaboration that strengthen research, expand global partnerships and enrich the academic experience for our entire university community.” 

“The Visiting Scholars Partnership Program creates opportunities for collaboration that strengthen research, expand global partnerships and enrich the academic experience for our entire university community.”

— Jim Clark, FSU provost and executive vice president for Academic Affairs 

The initiative was spearheaded by Farrukh Alvi, senior associate provost for Strategic Initiatives and Innovation and the Don Fuqua Eminent Scholar and Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at the FAMU–FSU College of Engineering.

“The program is designed to create opportunities for researchers to explore new ideas, identify complementary strengths and develop partnerships around shared areas of interest,” Alvi said. “We hope these collaborations will lead to impactful, lasting research relationships and new opportunities for innovation across disciplines.” 

The VSPP will provide a structured, immersive experience that supports collaborative research, innovation exchange and the development of long-term institutional partnerships. Collaborations will span fields including aerospace engineering, biomedical engineering, quantum optics, entrepreneurship and advanced materials research. 

“At Florida State University, we recognize that research and higher education are increasingly global in nature,” said Steve McDowell, assistant provost for International Initiatives. “The Visiting Scholars Partnership Program reflects FSU’s continued investment in international engagement and global research partnerships to serve the people of Florida.” 

“The Visiting Scholars Partnership Program reflects FSU’s continued investment in international engagement and global research partnerships to serve the people of Florida.”

— Steve McDowell, FSU assistant provost for International Initiatives

Vilma Fuentes, director of FSU’s Ukraine Task Force and a visiting associate in research at LSI, will serve as inaugural program director of the VSPP.  

“This program provides an exciting opportunity to connect scholars from some of the best universities in the world with faculty and departments across our great university,” Fuentes said. “We anticipate these exchanges will lead to new research partnerships, expanded academic engagement and future opportunities that benefit both FSU and our international partners.” 

India is home to some of the world’s fastest-growing research and technology institutions, making the partnerships especially valuable for future global collaboration. Participating partner institutions include the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras), Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IIT Kanpur), Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT Delhi), and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc).  

The partner institutions rank among the world’s leading universities for engineering, science and technology research in the QS World University Rankings. The QS World University Rankings is one of the most comprehensive assessments of its kind, offering an independent comparison of top universities worldwide based on academic excellence, employability, research impact and internationalization. 

“At LSI, we believe innovation happens when people with different expertise and perspectives come together to solve complex challenges,” said Rabieh Razzouk, director of LSI. “The Visiting Scholars Partnership Program creates an environment where those collaborations can grow, benefiting not only our institutions, but also the broader communities and systems our work is intended to serve.” 

Summer 2026 VSPP pairings include:  

• Wei Guo, Professor, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, FAMU–FSU College of Engineering, with Bhaskar Kanseri, Professor, Quantum Optics Physics, IIT Delhi
• Bill Lickson, Professor, Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship, and Pradeep Bhide, Professor, FSU College of Medicine, with Amit Mehndiratta, Professor, Biomedical Engineering, IIT Delhi  
• Farrukh Alvi, Professor, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, FAMU–FSU College of Engineering, with Tufan Kumar Guha, Assistant Professor, Aerospace Engineering, IIT Kanpur, and Debopam Das, Professor, Aerospace Engineering, IIT Kanpur  
• Unnikrishnan Nair, Associate Professor, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, FAMU–FSU College of Engineering, with Rajesh Ranjan, Associate Professor, Aerospace Engineering, IIT Kanpur  
• Rajan Kumar, Professor, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, FAMU–FSU College of Engineering, with Mohammed Ibrahim Sugarno, Associate Professor, Aerospace Engineering, IIT Kanpur  
• William Oates, Professor, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, FAMU–FSU College of Engineering, with Nidish Narayanaa Balaji, Assistant Professor, Aerospace Engineering, IIT Madras  
• Tristan Driscoll, Assistant Professor, Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, FAMU–FSU College of Engineering, with Namrata Gundiah, Professor, Mechanical Engineering, IISc  
• Zhiyong (Richard) Liang, Professor, Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering, FAMU–FSU College of Engineering; Tarik Dickens, Professor and Interim Associate Chair, Materials Science and Engineering Department, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering; and Raghav Gnanasambandam, Assistant Professor, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, with Prosenjit Das, Assistant Professor, Materials Engineering, IISc

Cultural activities will also be arranged to give participants a deeper understanding of American culture, society and the surrounding environment. In celebration of the 250th anniversary of the United States, activities will include locations listed on the America250FL Road Trip Map. 

In addition to advancing scientific understanding and knowledge exchange, these partnerships are expected to lead to joint research proposals, co-authored publications, shared data, complementary use of resources and new interdisciplinary initiatives. Organizers hope the program will serve as a foundation for sustained international collaboration and future faculty and student exchange opportunities at scale. 

Visit the Visiting Scholars Partnership Program website to learn more about VSPP. For more information about LSI, visit lsi.fsu.edu. To learn more about FSU’s global footprint, visit global.fsu.edu.

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Florida State University’s education and educational research program ranks No. 25 globally, No. 2 among public universities in the United States and No. 1 in Florida in the 2026-27 Best Global Universities rankings released by U.S. News & World Report.

Florida State also ranked among the world’s top 100 institutions in psychiatry and psychology (No. 80), social sciences and public health (No. 89) and arts and humanities (No. 92).

The rankings evaluate more than 2,250 universities in more than 100 countries based on academic research performance and global and regional research reputation. The methodology emphasizes factors such as publications, citations and international collaboration.

“These rankings across crucial professions and disciplines reflect the quality of our faculty and the impact of their scholarship,” said Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Jim Clark. “The recognition earned by our education program, along with strong performances in psychology, the social sciences and the humanities, demonstrates the public value proposition of the academic excellence across Florida State University.”

FSU’s performance reflects the university’s continued growth as a leading research institution. The university recorded a record $488 million in research expenditures, a 50 percent increase since 2021, and surpassed $1.2 billion in research funding proposals in 2025.

U.S. News uses data from Clarivate’s Web of Science Core Collection and InCites Benchmarking & Analytics to evaluate universities. The Best Global Universities rankings focus primarily on institutions’ research performance and scholarly impact rather than undergraduate education.

For more information and the complete rankings, visit the U.S. News & World Report Best Global Universities website.

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Florida State University art historian Stephanie Leitch has been named a 2026-2027 Berlin Prize Fellow by the American Academy in Berlin for research that examines how copied images shaped early modern knowledge of the world.

Leitch, professor and chair of FSU’s Department of Art History, will use the fellowship to complete a book exploring how recycled images influenced perceptions of distant peoples, places and animals during the 16th and 17th centuries.

The Berlin Prize is awarded annually to U.S.-based scholars, writers, composers and artists who represent the highest standards of excellence in their fields.

“This highly competitive honor reflects both the strength of Dr. Leitch’s scholarly work and the national and international reputation of our faculty,” said James Frazier, dean of the College of Fine Arts. “This recognition underscores the caliber of research and creative activity taking place among our faculty and the global impact of their work.”

During her residency in Berlin, Leitch will conduct research for a co-authored book, New Worlds, Recycled Images: The Imprint of the Copy in Early Modern Travel Narratives, written with Yale University scholar Lisa Voigt.

The project examines how printers reused woodblock images in books about newly encountered places, peoples and animals. As those images circulated across different publications, they often carried assumptions and inaccuracies into new contexts, helping shape how readers understood the wider world.

“I have the great fortune of finally getting a fellowship at the perfect stage for a writer,” Leitch said. “The chapters have been mostly written, and I get to reshape the book while being close to my primary sources.”

Leitch will work with the Derschau Sammlung at Berlin’s Kupferstichkabinett, home to one of the world’s best-preserved collections of early modern woodblocks. The collection includes nearly 2,000 woodblocks from the 16th and 17th centuries and offers rare insight into how printers created, modified and reused images in the early days of mass communication.

One of the book’s central examples is Dürer’s famous rhinoceros woodcut, which became one of the most widely reproduced images of the animal in Europe. Although Dürer never saw the rhinoceros himself, his image was repeatedly copied and repurposed in books about natural history, geography and travel.

“Printers worked in a very sustainable fashion,” Leitch said. “They reused blocks whenever they could instead of carving new ones. Our book looks at the repercussions of using images again and again and the stereotypes that emerged from that repetition.”

The project makes a significant contribution at the intersection of art, science and technology by illuminating a period when knowledge was more holistically conceived, before modern academic disciplines emerged as separate fields.

Although the project focuses on early modern print culture, Leitch sees its questions as newly urgent in an age of rapid image circulation. Her research shows that concerns about copied images, visual authority and the relationship between media and belief long predate the digital era.

“As obscure as 16th-century printmaking has felt at times, I think our particular historical moment makes it especially relevant,” she said. “It’s instructive to look at this earlier moment of technological development and ask how it shaped what people believed about the world.”

Leitch, who has taught at Florida State for 20 years, credits the university’s Special Collections and Archives with helping shape her scholarship. She regularly introduces students to rare books and early printed materials, allowing them to engage directly with historical artifacts.

“Once students have these materials in their hands, they understand just what an important role images have in our understanding of history,” she said.

Leitch said she is also looking forward to joining a cohort of scholars, artists and journalists from a range of disciplines.

“To be able to put my head together with people like that is an unparalleled opportunity,” she said.

Leitch’s residency begins in August and concludes in December.

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The Learning Systems Institute (LSI) at Florida State University has been selected to collaborate with IREX and other partners on the Early Grade Education Activity in Jordan. LSI will join the project to advance Jordanian-led teacher education initiatives.

Under the direction of IREX, a global nonprofit organization focused on education and development, LSI will foster a collaborative relationship between Florida State University and Jordanian universities to support initiatives that address low literacy and numeracy rates while promoting whole-child development. LSI will support Jordanian universities through curriculum review and co-development, faculty professional development and research and quality assurance frameworks.

“IREX is proud to partner with the Learning Systems Institute at Florida State University to support the groundbreaking Early Grade Education Activity, ASAS, across Jordan. This collaboration reflects the value of drawing on the experience and expertise of U.S. universities to strengthen higher education institutions internationally and better prepare educators to meet the needs of students and communities. At the same time, collaboration on AI in education is essential to responsibly realizing the opportunities AI can bring and to supporting long-term student success,” said Aleksander Dardeli, President and CEO of IREX.

Stephanie Simmons Zuilkowski, Associate Director for Research at LSI and Professor of Educational Leadership and Policy in the Anne Spencer Daves College College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences, and Sana Tibi, Associate Professor in the Department of Communication Science and Disorders at FSU, will serve as principal investigators. Anne’s College faculty and LSI staff will provide support.

“The FSU team is excited to start work on this project, which is grounded in partnership and mutual learning,” said Zuilkowski. “We look forward to collaborating with Jordanian universities to support their efforts to advance teacher education, while also deepening our own understanding of effective, contextually responsive approaches to primary grades teacher preparation.”

IREX and its partners are working with Jordan’s Ministry of Education and universities across the country to sustainably improve early grade education.

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Eighteen Florida State University students will be studying abroad this summer and school year through the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program.

The Gilman Scholarship provides undergraduate students with high financial need the opportunity to study or intern in a foreign country. Sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, the scholarship gives students the chance to become global citizens and active participants in their international community while gaining critical thinking and cultural awareness.

Chelsea James, a junior majoring in social science education with a minor in child development, will participate in the Broad Curriculum Program at the FSU London Study Centre through FSU International Programs. The Broad Curriculum Program includes FSU courses that satisfy requirements for graduation, CoreFSU and some majors or minors while living abroad.

After graduation next year, she plans to pursue a career in school leadership and hopes to expand student opportunities and transform the education landscape.

“I am excited to go to London because it will allow me to experience a diverse global culture firsthand while gaining new perspectives that will shape my growth as a future educator and leader,” James said.

Lana Abboud, a sophomore majoring in international affairs with a minor in economics, will participate in the Intensive French program in Paris through FSU International Programs. Students are placed in a language course based on their level of understanding and are taught entirely in French by native French-speaking faculty.

“This experience will strengthen my ability to engage across cultures and operate in international settings, while building the communication skills essential for diplomacy and global policy work,” Abboud said.

After graduation next fall, Abboud hopes to attend law school or pursue a career as a U.S. diplomat. She is interested in the intersection of international law and foreign policy and how they drive global corporations.

Niki Navarro Gutierrez, a junior majoring in digital media production and minoring in Italian and film, will attend the University of Foreigners of Perugia in Umbria, Italy, through FSU Global Exchanges.

“I am extremely interested in the appreciation that Italy, and Europe as a whole, has for film and the resources that are put into it,” Gutierrez said.

Gutierrez has a passion for creating documentaries or fiction films that tell a story about the culture they portray. She says she will benefit from traveling abroad and learning from diverse communities.

“Ultimately, I hope to return from Perugia not only with greater fluency in Italian, but also with the personal insight and professional skills to pursue documentary filmmaking on an international scale,” Gutierrez said.

Giselle Martinez, a junior majoring in biological science, will participate in FSU’s Biology in London program with FSU International Programs. Martinez will take two courses: Walking in Van Leeuwenhoek’s Shoes: Rediscovering Cell Biology, where students recreate classical experiments that shaped understanding of the cell, and Investigating Questions in Animal Behavior, which examines how development, genetics, and physiology shape behaviors like communication, aggression and sociality.

After graduation next year, Martinez plans to continue studying medicine as a women’s health researcher focusing on endometriosis and other women’s health concerns.

“I want to contribute to the under-researched and underrepresented areas of medicine in which many women find themselves struggling,” Martinez said.

Zorianna Starks, a junior majoring in psychology and minoring in social welfare, will study abroad in London and Amsterdam this summer through the Council on International Educational Exchange’s (CIEE) Comparative Public Health Systems program.

She plans to explore how cultural, social and economic factors influence the delivery of care and access to mental and public health.

“This experience will allow me to expand my perspective on mental health and public health systems while learning how different cultures address challenges in care and accessibility,” Starks said.

Starks also received funding through the Global Scholars Program, run by the Center for Undergraduate Research and Academic Engagement, and the Center for Academic Retention and Enhancement to support her study abroad experience.

“As someone pursuing a career in psychology and social work, it is important for me to understand diverse populations so I can better support and advocate for individuals from all backgrounds,” Starks said.

She plans to pursue a career as a child therapist, focusing on supporting underserved communities and addressing mental health disparities. Starks hopes this experience will strengthen her cultural awareness and provide insight that will help her make a meaningful impact in both clinical and community-based settings.

Silvia Rodriguez, a freshman majoring in economics, will participate in the Oxford University Consortium on Human Rights and New Technology in England with the FSU Honors Program.

During the consortium, she will present her findings about the impacts of artificial intelligence on the Florida criminal justice system. Her research focuses on predictive policing, sentencing algorithms and AI-driven immigration enforcement, and analyzing whether these technologies reinforce social biases in an international setting.

“Through the consortium, I will conduct interdisciplinary research on the ethical and legal implications of AI in the justice system and explore how policy can better protect civil rights in the digital age,” Rodriguez said.

After graduating from FSU, Rodriguez plans to attend law school.

Nashley Gabriel Cardenas, a junior majoring in accounting and minoring in criminology, will study abroad this summer in Strasbourg, France, through FSU Global Exchanges with a focus on business.

“This summer, I am looking forward to expanding my horizons and networking with students of different backgrounds,” Cardenas said. “Going abroad will give me the opportunity to understand how Europe approaches sustainability within business organizations with methods that I could apply to my business career.”

She is most excited to create new connections and to make her own path while being exposed to different cultures, branching out of her comfort zone in a new place.

“I never thought I would leave the U.S. during my time studying, and this means I have the power to create my own experiences and learn how to overcome impostor syndrome,” Cardenas said.

Madison Mager, a senior biological science major pursuing veterinary medicine, will intern this summer in Costa Rica through Loop Abroad, an educational veterinary service organization. She will work at the Toucan Rescue Ranch in San José, the country’s capital, to learn how another culture engages in animal care.

“I’m especially excited to learn from a completely different veterinary environment and gain new perspectives on wildlife care and conservation medicine,” Mager said. “I’m also looking forward to meeting new people, hearing their stories and experiencing another culture firsthand.”

After graduation, Mager plans to attend veterinary school and pursue exotic veterinary and conservation medicine.

Sophia Castro, a sophomore majoring in public health, will participate in the Broad Curriculum Program at the Valencia Study Center in Spain through FSU International Programs.

“Studying abroad in Valencia will challenge me to step outside of my comfort zone and engage with new cultures, perspectives, and ways of thinking,” Castro said. “This experience will help me develop the cultural awareness and adaptability needed to better serve diverse communities and become a more well-rounded and compassionate provider.”

After graduation, Castro hopes to earn a master’s degree in nursing with a long-term career plan of owning a medical spa.

Lizzie Alba, a freshman pursuing a dual degree in psychology and human development and family sciences, will intern abroad in Madrid, this summer with the American Institute for Foreign Study (AIFS). She will work with the nonprofit organization YMCA to support parents and children in the community. She also received funding through FSU’s Global Scholars Program.

“As someone who aspires to become a marriage and family therapist, these interactions with both parents and children will provide me with valuable hands-on experience and a deeper understanding of the field,” Alba said. “Through this experience, I hope to become even more culturally sensitive.”

Alba is excited about the opportunity to work with families in a new environment and learn about the cultural implications that come with a new domain.

Brianna Zapata, a junior majoring in environment and society and interdisciplinary social sciences, will participate in a language-intensive program in São Paulo, Brazil, this summer through the Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE).

“During the program, I will be studying topics related to urban sustainability, culture and global perspectives while gaining immersive international experience through coursework and community engagement,” Zapata said.

Zapata also earned a Critical Need Language Award, a supplemental scholarship offered through the Gilman Program. After graduation, she plans to focus on sustainability and conservation and how they impact underserved communities.

To learn more about the Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship, students can email FSU’s Office of National Fellowships for an advising appointment. For more information about International Programs, visit international.fsu.edu. To learn more about Global Exchanges, visit cge.fsu.edu/global-programs.

This year’s Gilman Scholarship recipients, their destinations and majors are:

Yecenia Padron; Panama; Human Development and Family Sciences

Lana Abboud; France; International Affairs

Mya Ncastanedo; Spain; Media and Communication Studies

Nicole Navarro Gutiérrez; Italy; Digital Media Production

Chelsea James; United Kingdom; Social Science Education

Brianna Zapata; Brazil; Environment and Society and Interdisciplinary Social Sciences

Zorianna Starks; United Kingdom and the Netherlands; Psychology

Lizzie Alba; Spain; Psychology and Human Development and Family Sciences

Giselle Martinez; United Kingdom; Biological Science

Yemaya Adams; South Korea; Information Technology

Silvia Rodriguez; United Kingdom; Economics

Nashely Gabriel Cardenas; France; Accounting

Sacha Chiche Gallardo; France; Behavioral Neuroscience

Madison Northcutt; United Kingdom; Communication Science & Disorders

Sophia Castro; Spain; Public Health

Madison Mager; Costa Rica; Biological Science

Gianna Spadafino; Thailand; Communication and Public Relations

Adwoa Birago Nsiah Ababio; Spain; Food Science and Nutrition

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Florida State University students from the College of Communication and Information helped restore hearing for hundreds of patients during a service-learning trip to Guatemala last semester. 

Selena Snowden, teaching faculty III and director of Audiology Services in the School of Communication Science and Disorders, led a group to Sololá, Guatemala, where students performed more than 100 ear cleanings, fitted 276 hearing devices and saw more than 200 patients for appointments during four days of clinics. 

Known as the “Help Guatemala Hear” service trip, Snowden has led groups of students and professionals on similar service trips since 2015, pausing only during the pandemic. The program aims to provide the “gift of sound” to children, adults and indigenous people in the region.  

“I love to witness how the students grow each year clinically, personally, and in humility over the course of experience,” Snowden said.  

A record number of students participated in the trip: 14 undergraduate students and three graduate students from FSU, along with one undergraduate student studying communication sciences and disorders at Valdosta State University.  

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For international student athletes like Saofé Duval and Gabor Hornung, the transition to college in the United States involves more than practices and matches. It also means adapting to a new language, culture and academic system. 

Before arriving on campus, international students whose native language is not English must demonstrate proficiency in spoken and written English through standardized testing. Undergraduate applicants are required to meet minimum score thresholds on exams such as the TOEFL iBT (Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-Based Test). Even with this foundation, adjusting to academic life in the US can present challenges — from navigating classroom discussions to understanding cultural nuances and expectations. 

To support this transition, Florida State University offers Academic English Skills for International Students (EAP 1850), a course designed to help undergraduate international students strengthen their academic English and communication skills after enrollment. This past spring, Duval and Hornung enrolled in the course. It also introduces students to U.S. classroom expectations, cultural norms and the wide range of resources available to help them succeed at FSU. 

The course is taught by Patrick Kennell, director of the Center for Intensive English Studies (CIES). Founded in 1980, CIES provides English language instruction for international students preparing to study at U.S. universities and operates within The Graduate School at FSU.  

“This is one of my favorite courses I’ve ever taught,” Kennell said. “It’s developing their English, but it’s also developing their cultural knowledge and helping them navigate their way through their first semester here at Florida State.”

Duval, a freshman on the nationally ranked beach volleyball team, came to FSU from La Couarde-sur-Mer, a seaside village located in the center of the Île de Ré in southwestern France. She’s already noticed asignificant improvement in her English skills.  

“I was pretty bad at English when I came, but now I feel more comfortable,” she said. “I can say, ‘I don’t understand, so please can you repeat?’”  

Hornung, a freshman on the men’s tennis team from Budapest, Hungary, grew up in the smaller town of Kapuvár. Having already competed in professional tournaments, he remained focused on earning an international degree in the U.S. Now at FSU, he said the course is helping him strengthen his English communication skills. 

“This class is very helpful,” Hornung said. “When I speak to Americans, they don’t care if I make a mistake, they understand what I mean, but I want to speak perfectly. I don’t want to make mistakes. And with Dr. Kennell, we consider every little mistake that I make.” 

International student athletes bring elite technical skills shaped by different training environments around the world, and that impact is already evident in competition. Hornung opened his first season at FSU with a three-set single victory over the University of Florida’s Andreas Timini, while Duval began her collegiate career with a win on court two alongside sophomore teammate Gella Andrew against the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Between competitions, both students continue to balance academics while adjusting to life in the U.S.; a process Kennell said requires more than language development.

“I’m so amazed by these students,” he said. “They’re managing their classes and Division I athletics, where the pressure is on them to perform. They’re high-achieving personalities who want to do their best, but they also need to learn about self-care and mental health, so we talk about that, too.” 

For Duval, the course has strengthened not only her language skills but also her understanding of American culture.

“This is so important,” she said. “It’s not only the language, even if the language is the most difficult part, but it’s also about the culture and why people are acting like that here, because it’s so different from France.”

For Hornung, the first Hungarian native to play tennis for the Seminoles, the impact of the course will extend far beyond his time at FSU.

“I will think about this class my entire life,” Hornung said. “It’s made a huge impact on me.”For more information about CIES, visit cies.fsu.edu. To learn more about FSU’s global footprint, visit global.fsu.edu. 

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At Florida State University, learning extends beyond the classroom, with international experiences bringing academics to life on a global stage. 

Through international internships and other hands-on experiences, students gain practical skills, strengthen cultural competency and expand their worldview. These opportunities offer a powerful pathway for both personal and professional growth. Programs offered through the FSU Career Center, International Programs and other campus partners are just a few ways students can access opportunities tailored to their academic and career interests.  

For many, these experiences are defining moments. Across industries and continents, the following FSU students have built confidence, grown professional networks and discovered clarity in their career paths through international experiential learning.  

Aman Myrsten, France 

Aman Myrsten, a junior double majoring in French and sociology, spent eight and a half weeks in Aix-en-Provence, France, interning with a local nonprofit through CEA CAPA Education Abroad, a leading provider of international study and internship programs. 

Having previously spent the Summer 2024 semester in France through FSU’s Intensive French Program in Paris, Myrsten wanted to deepen her language skills and cultural understanding. In Aix-en-Provence, a city in southern France just north of Marseille, sheworked full time with Le Relais des Possibles, a nonprofit supporting women’s rights and domestic violence prevention.  

“Doing an international internship felt like it would be a great continuation [of my studies]— something that would be good for my resume and an incredible learning experience overall,” Myrsten said. 

CEA (Cultural Experiences Abroad) was originally founded as a study abroad organization for university students, and CAPA (The Global Education Network) is a provider focusing on global education and internships. Together, they merged to form CEA CAPAEducation Abroad, offering a combined 75 years of experience in creating academic, career and internship programs abroad.  

Through CEA CAPA, students can participate in various internships in eleven different cities across Europe and Australia, providing placements in a variety of fields from urban planning to fashion. 

In her role as an advocacy and cultural development intern, Myrsten ran workshops for mothers escaping domestic violence and delivered community outreach in underdeveloped neighborhoods. She also took a six-credit International Internship course at InstitutAmericain Universitaire (IAU), an American style university that partners with CEA CAPA and acts as a host institution for CEA CAPA internship and study abroad students.  

“I just found a lot of fulfillment in my job, and that’s something that I wasn’t sure I was going to be able to find in many settings,” Myrsten said.  

Mia Hicks, Semester at Sea 

Mia Hicks, a senior majoring in Finance, spent spring 2025 traveling the world through Semester at Sea, a study abroad program where students live and attend classes on a ship, traveling to various continents and participating in immersive cultural learning.  

Aboard the MV World Odyssey, Hicks traveled with 500 classmates to 13 countries in less than five months while taking courses ranging from psychology to international issues in recreation and tourism. While it’s not an internship, Semester at Sea gives students the unique opportunity to merge academic studies with hands on cultural experiences, demonstrating the power of immersive international learning. 

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A new collaboration between Florida State University and nonprofit educational organizations is opening doors for Ukrainian scholars, empowering them with vital AI skills that can drive innovation and resilience in higher education. 

The Anne Spencer Dave’s College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences (Anne’s College) and the Ukraine Task Force (UTF) have joined forces with the American Councils for International Education and the Digital Education Council (DEC) to deliver free, online artificial intelligence (AI) training for research faculty in Ukraine.  

Dina Vyortkina, associate dean for Innovation and Instructional Technology at Anne’s College and member of the UTF, coordinated the effort to provide DEC’s online course leading to a certificate for AI in Higher Education at no cost to 36 Ukrainian researchers.The researchers invited to participate are alumni of or current participants in BridgeUSA programs. 

“We have designed a comprehensive faculty professional development program for our colleagues in Ukraine,” Vyortkina said. “Completing AI literacy courses would be a great foundation for everyone before we embark on scalable AI initiatives that support teaching, learning, research and operations. We are looking forward to tangible outcomes and impactful changes.” 

Both the BridgeUSA Ukrainian Academic Fellows Program (BridgeUSA UAFP) and the BridgeUSA Ukraine Program for Resilience and Reconstruction (UPRR) build connections between Ukrainian and U.S. scholars for long-term collaboration in areas such as joint research, shared pedagogy, course development and publications. These programs are implemented by the American Councils for International Education with the long-term goal of helping Ukrainian universities educate and train professionals critical to the country’s recovery and reconstruction through lasting, productive collaboration with U.S. institutions of higher education.  

Housed in FSU’s Learning Systems Institute (LSI), the UTF was established in 2022 as part of the university’s broader internationalization strategy and aims to forge partnerships between FSU and Ukrainian scholars and educate the FSU community about Ukraine. Through the UTF, FSU has hosted six BridgeUSA Fellows and will host two more this summer.  

In June 2024, FSU became the first U.S. university to host fellows through the program: Taras Panchenko, Andrii Balandr, Andrii Roskladka and Natalia Safonova all spent the summer on campus collaborating with FSU faculty mentors. And in October 2025, the UTF hosted Sofiia Doskich and Kostyantyn Mezentsev through BridgeUSA UPRR.  

“We anticipate that this new area of collaboration will lead to new research collaborations and the sharing of best teaching practices between BridgeUSA Alumni and peers at FSU,” said Vilma Fuentes, UTF program director. “This may also pave the way for future grant-funded opportunities.” 

The DEC’s “Certificate for AI in Higher Education” is a self-paced, 20-hour course that allows participants to gain the knowledge and skills needed to integrate AI effectively in teaching and day-to-day work. It’s intended for users of every level, helping them understand the fundamentals of AI, its implementation in higher education, responsible practices and practical use cases. Each module is practical, focused and directly applicable to higher education.  

American Councils is providing the course as part of its mission to strengthen international ties and connections between countries and cultures through excellence in academic, professional, and cultural exchange, language acquisition, educational developmentand research. Since 1974, their educational portfolio has grown to include 140 countries important to national security, prosperity and peace.  

“It’s a strong reflection of the partnership we have forged through BridgeUSA UPRR with FSU so far—one built on trust, shared purpose and a long-term commitment to lasting partnerships between Ukrainian and U.S. universities, including new opportunities for collaboration in areas such as AI in higher education, research and innovation,” said Ksenia Ivanenko, program manager for Higher Education Partnerships and Capacity, Field Operations at American Councils for International Education. 

In addition to completing the AI course, Ukrainian faculty can also participate in webinars facilitated by FSU colleagues. The project also aims to help Ukrainian faculty adapt existing university courses, embed innovative approaches and AI tools, contribute to the co-creation of AI literacy courses tailored to higher education in the Ukrainian language and local context, and conduct institutional AI assessments. 

“We are deeply grateful to Florida State University for its outstanding commitment to Ukraine, American Councils BridgeUSA UPRR, our program participants and alumni and for investing so much energy and care into this work,” Ivanenko said. “At a time when Ukrainian higher education continues to demonstrate remarkable resilience under immense pressure, this initiative creates meaningful access not only to practical AI skills but also to international academic exchange that can strengthen institutions and support the next generation of teaching and research.” 

For more information about LSI and the UTF, visit lsi.fsu.edu. To learn more about Anne’s College, visit annescollege.fsu.edu. For more information about FSU’s global footprint, visit global.fsu.edu. 

LSI strives to lead the way in creating innovative educational solutions that seamlessly connect theory with practice. Through advanced research, we develop industry-leading methods and implementation strategies to enhance systematic learning at all levels and in all environments. For more than five decades, LSI has been committed to driving measurable improvements in the performance of both individuals and organizations. 

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International Programs at Florida State University has named Ed Holroyd Pearce as the new director of the FSU London Study Centre.  

Pearce, who has more than 20 years of international leadership experience in higher and international education, begins the role Monday, April 20. 

“We are excited to welcome Ed to FSU London,” said Louisa Blenman, executive director of International Programs. “His extensive experience in international education and his commitment to expanding global opportunities for students make him an outstanding fit to lead the centre into its next chapter.” 

Pearce will lead FSU London’s efforts in strategic planning, program development and academic oversight. He will work closely with faculty and staff to enhance student experiences, expand partnerships and develop academic programs, providing high quality learning opportunities for students studying abroad at FSU London.  

“FSU has clear momentum in study abroad and international collaboration, and I’m excited to work with colleagues to build on that success — delivering an even stronger experience for students and faculty, and reinforcing the university’s global standing,” Pearce said.   

Christina Carroll, associate director of International Programs, served as interim director of FSU London since 2024 after former director Kathleen Paul’s retirement. According to Blenman, her work was critical for a successful director’s search and FSU London’s sustained excellence. Carroll will continue to provide guidance and support to FSU London.  

Pearce brings more than two decades of experience in international education to the role. He is the co-founder of several successful study abroad companies, including CRCC Asia and Virtual Internship Partners. From 2012 to 2018, he served as director of Transforma Travel Group, which offers educational tours worldwide. Pearce has served as chief product officer at Learning Unleashed since 2024, where he develops edtech products designed to enhance schools’ ability to facilitate meaningful exchange experiences.  

Throughout his career, Pearce has demonstrated an ongoing commitment to expanding access to international education. Founded in 2006, CRCC Asia pairs students with award-winning global internship programs in places like Tokyo, Seoul, Shanghai and Berlin. As the company’s co-founder and director, Pearce managed study abroad operations, facilitating placements for thousands of students and developing more than 60 partnerships with universities and government programs around the globe.  

Pearce also co-founded Virtual Internship Partners in 2018 to connect educators and employers worldwide to provide access to guaranteed internship opportunities. At both Virtual Internship Partners and Learning Unleashed, Pearce expanded global internship opportunities and led the development of educational technology platforms. 

Across these roles, he has helped lead global programs serving more than 20,000 students. 

“Having worked across global education, partnerships and program development, I’ve seen what it takes to make international experiences truly effective,” Pearce said. “I’m looking forward to applying those insights at FSU London — enhancing academic quality, strengthening partnerships and ensuring students get the most out of their time abroad.” 

Pearce holds an MBA with distinction from Bayes Business School at City, University of London and an MSc in international management (merit) from SOAS, University of London. He also earned an MA in East Asian studies from the University of Cambridge. 

FSU London gives students the chance to live and learn in the heart of London’s vibrant Bloomsbury district. Within walking distance of landmarks like the British Museum, the Houses of Parliament and the West End Theatre District, the centre blends history with modern amenities, including housing, classrooms, computer labs, a library and 24/7 staff support and security. 

For more information about the FSU London Study Centre, visit the International Programs website at international.fsu.edu. To learn more about FSU’s global footprint, visit the FSU Global website at global.fsu.edu.

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A delegation from Florida State University’s Tallahassee campus recently visited the university’s regional branch campus in the Republic of Panama to strengthen collaborations, expand student opportunities and deepen academic partnerships.

FSU Panama offers four undergraduate degree programs, three of which are housed in the College of Social Sciences and Public Policy, making the college a central partner in the campus’s academic mission.

The FSU delegation included three representatives from the College of Social Sciences and Public Policy: Amanda Driscoll., the Dr. J. Elizabeth Garraway Professor and director of Undergraduate Studies for the Department of Political Science; Na’Ama Nagar, program director and teaching professor for the International Affairs program; and Ladanya Ramirez Surmeier, director of Undergraduate Studies and assistant teaching professor in the Public Health program and director of the Pepper Certified Peer Health Educator Scholarship.

Vilma Fuentes, a visiting associate in research at the Learning Systems Institute (LSI) and director of FSU’s Ukraine Task Force, was also part of the delegation.

“There is a clear opportunity for our Panama campus to serve as a hub for experiential learning and expanded academic engagement,” Nagar said. “With intentional partnerships and renewed focus, we can position the campus not just as an extension of the university, but as a strategic gateway for global impact.”

FSU has operated a campus in the Republic of Panama since 1957, when it was contracted by the U.S. government to establish an education center in the former Panama Canal Zone. The campus falls under the purview of FSU’s International Programs, which provides quality international learning environments and opportunities for students.

Throughout the visit, the group met with key stakeholders, students, alumni and academic partners to explore ways to promote collaboration between FSU Panama and the Tallahassee campus, particularly through internships, study abroad programs and alumni engagement. The visit also included meetings with Panama’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the U.S. Embassy and the United Nations, as well as a tour of the City of Knowledge facilities where FSU Panama is located. These organizations are all located near the FSU Panama campus, offering students access to hands‑on professional experience while completing their coursework.

As part of their engagement on campus, the delegation delivered a presentation to about 30 students, faculty and staff, highlighting programs within the College of Social Sciences and Public Policy and opportunities for collaboration between campuses.

Beyond the campus presentation, the delegation also participated in a meeting with Ambassador Kevin Cabrera, the U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Panama, which focused on Embassy priorities and explored opportunities to connect FSU Panama with Embassy initiatives and internship pathways.

“We see impressive opportunities for enhanced scholarly exchange,” Driscoll said. “FSU Panama provides an ideal setting for international scholarly conferences and colloquia. As a multinational and multilingual crossroads of the Americas, the Republic of Panama presents minimal logistical or linguistic barriers for international participants and offers easier access for scholars traveling from Central and South America than most locations in the continental United States.”

The delegation also toured Panama City and the Panama Canal, providing context for the country’s strategic and economic significance. “FSU Panama has the potential to be a key partner for the Public Health Program,” Ramirez said. “After meeting with representatives from the UN-World Food Program and the UN-Food and Agriculture Organization, our students will be able to learn how to meet international public health needs while studying at FSU Panama. In addition, I look forward to identifying opportunities for students to work with the CDC Caribbean and Central American Regional Office.”

For more information about FSU Panama, visit panama.fsu.edu. To learn more about the College of Social Sciences and Public Policy, visit cosspp.fsu.edu. For more information about FSU’s global footprint, visit global.fsu.edu.

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