Every summer, Florida State University students take their learning far beyond the classroom by crossing borders, embracing new cultures and diving into hands-on experiences around the world.
From the historic streets of London to the sun-soaked plazas of Valencia and Seville, FSU students spent their summer gaining global experiences across Europe, Asia and beyond.
So, where in the world did the Seminoles spend their summer?
Japan
Sara Smith, a senior pursuing degrees in civil engineering and Japanese language/culture, and Ruth Castro, a senior majoring in Japanese language/culture, participated in a summer program at Waseda University in Shinjuku, Japan, through FSU’s Global Exchanges.
Founded in 1882 in the heart of Tokyo, Waseda University is recognized as one of the most international universities in Japan. Participants in the Waseda Summer Program choose two from 15 available courses such as literature and art, business, culture, economics, history, politics and sociology in the context of Japan and Asia pacific, and can earn 4 credits total. Classes are taught in English.
“This is a unique experience one can only have at a university, and I didn’t know if I’d ever have the opportunity again in my life,” Smith said. “The language learning I experienced on this trip has helped me prepare for a future career as an engineer working with people from various countries.”
The program also offers extracurricular activities such as field trips, site visits and cultural events to experience Tokyo and Japan.
“My favorite part has been living alone in a large city,” Castro said. “I loved going to Aomori prefecture to learn more about traditional instruments, culture and seeing historical areas in the Nikko prefecture area.”
Germany
Raymond Vickers, a senior majoring in history, participated in the Experiencing Germany program in Dresden, Germany, through International Programs. Vickers, who is also participating in the Global Scholars program, took culture and German language courses while going on excursions to Berlin, Weimer, Meissen, Pulsnitz and the region of Saxon Switzerland.
“This program, the people I encountered, and the challenges I found, all attribute to a better understanding of the world I live in and what really makes it,” Vickers said. “If I came here by myself in search of becoming better at learning languages or culture, I feel I wouldn’t have the experience I am just now rolling into. Without community, a place cannot exist, this planet cannot exist… experience cannot exist.”
Italy
Alanna Rivera, a sophomore majoring in behavioral neuroscience, interned as a research lab assistant at a psychology lab at the La Sapienza University in Rome, Italy, through the Institute for the International Education of Students (IES), an organization that connects students with study abroad and internship programs.
Also participating in the Global Scholars program, Rivera explored the work-life balance in Italy compared to the U.S., blending her American perspective with her experiences in the Italian workplace.
“This comparison is valuable for exploring how work-life balance in each country influences overall life satisfaction,” Rivera said. “I hope to encourage others to find a healthier balance and to create space where people can exist without constant pressure to be productive.”
Peru
Sebastian Abril, a senior studying psychology and information technology, traveled to Cusco, Peru, this summer to intern at a mental health clinic, where he learned about the connections between lifestyle and mental health.
“It is always interesting to me to be able to compare certain ideas with people who grew up in this area most of their life,” he said. “I think that co-constructing knowledge is all about that exchange of information that is able to generate new ideas in the minds of different people and the communities they belong to.”
Spain
Sofia Tascon, a junior double majoring in editing, writing and media and political science, participated in the Editing, Writing, & Media in Valencia program in Valencia, Spain, through International Programs. As part of the program, Tascon wrote articles for the “Nomadic Noles,” a magazine written and produced by students at the FSU Valencia study center.
“My interviews differ from my observations as I go into further detail and learn about topics outside of what I would hear from the average person, like the government structure and history of regime change in Spain,” Tascon said.
Tallahassee
Recent FSU graduate Allen Yarrington didn’t have to go far to expand his global perspective. Yarrington, who graduated with a degree in linguistics this past spring and is pursuing graduate studies in and teaching for the Department of Modern Languages and Linguistics this fall, interned at the Center for Intensive English Studies (CIES) this summer while also teaching community-access English courses in Gadsden County.
CIES is an English language school that prepares international students for success at English-speaking universities. Yarrington first learned about CIES when he earned a Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) Certificate in 2024. The program is structured to give an overview of TEFL, teaching methodologies, how to assess students, and practical applications to teaching grammar, reading, writing, listening and speaking.
“What I really want is to gain deeper insight into the relationship between sociolinguistic barriers and how they affect the accessibility of English instruction—particularly for adults,” he said.
Since completing the certificate, Yarrington has stayed involved with CIES, building close ties with its faculty and students. Those relationships have been integral to the success and growth of a registered student organization (RSO) Yarrington co-created called the Second Language Acquisition Group (SLANG). The RSO is for students who speak or are interested in learning different languages.
Applications to be part of the 2026 Global Scholars cohort are open now until 11:59 p.m. Monday, Nov. 3. To apply, click here.
For more information about International Programs, visit international.fsu.edu. To learn more about the Center for Global Engagement and Global Exchanges, visit cge.fsu.edu. For more information about the Center for Intensive English Studies and obtaining a TEFL Certificate, visit cies.fsu.edu.