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 welcomed Germany’s ambassador to the U.S. for a campus visit last week, highlighting the university’s growing role in global research, education and international partnership. 

German Ambassador to the U.S. Jens Hanefeld met with FSU administrators and engaged with students, faculty and staff Friday, Jan. 23. Hanefeld was in Tallahassee to sign a Joint Declaration of Intent between the State of Florida and the Federal Republic of Germany, promoting strategic investment, industrial ties and economic growth. 

“Florida and Germany are not just trading, we’re investing in each other’s futures, building jobs and cutting-edge technologies together,” said Hanefeld. “Florida State University stands out as a powerhouse of cutting-edge research, and this excellence has long resonated across the Atlantic.” 

Following his talk, which took place in The Globe Auditorium, Hanefeld engaged in a discussion with students, answering questions ranging from the war in Ukraine and Russian oil dependency to career paths in foreign service. Brad T. Gomez, associate professor and chair of the Department of Political Science in the College of Social Sciences and Public Policy, introduced Ambassador Hanefeld and moderated the question and answer portion. 

Hanefeld joined the German Federal Foreign Office in 1991 and has built a distinguished diplomatic career over more than three decades. Early in his service, he held posts at the Federal Foreign Office in Bonn and Berlin and at the German Embassy in Sofia, Bulgaria. From 2001 to 2005 he served as private secretary to the Secretary of State, followed by his role as head of the Secretary of State’s office from 2005 to 2009.  

From 2009 to 2014, Hanefeld served as Minister and Deputy Chief of the Mission at the German Embassy in Washington, D.C. From 2014 to 2024 he joined the Volkswagen Group as the senior vice president for International, European, and Trade Policy, bringing his diplomatic experience to bear on global economic and trade issues. Prior to his current appointment, Hanefeld served as the German Ambassador to Ethiopia and Permanent Observer to the African Union in 2024.  

Hanefeld was appointed as Germany’s ambassador to the U.S. in August 2025. In this role, Hanefeld represents German interests and works to strengthen diplomatic relations between Germany and the U.S.  

During his presentation, Hanefeld reinforced the importance of transatlantic cooperation and the benefits of partnership between Florida and Germany. He explained that there is clear potential to grow Florida’s exports in advanced manufacturing along withtechnology logistics and services.  

“We need these collaborations,” he said. “The great challenges of our time—securing digital infrastructures, resilient supply chains for semiconductors, and breakthroughs in healthcare—cannot be solved by any single country alone.” 

Germany is currently the third-largest foreign investor in Florida, with around 200 German companies employing approximately 40,000 people across the state. The cooperation in innovation and education between Florida and Germany is beneficial to all parties, strengthening economic ties, fostering research collaboration, and creating opportunities for students and businesses alike.  

While on FSU’s main campus, Hanefeld also met with administrators from across the university to discuss its existing connections with Germany and explore ways to expand those partnerships and build new ones.  

“Institutional ties are complemented by vibrant academic exchanges with German universities,” said Hanefeld. “Together these collaborations highlight not only past successes but also the immense potential for future cooperation.” 

FSU/Germany Fast Facts  

• FSU maintains exchange agreements with four German universities through FSU’s Global Exchange Programs: Ludwig Maximilians University in Munich, University of Oldenburg, University of Wuppertal and the WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management in Vallendar.  

• This semester there is one German exchange student on FSU’s main campus, and three FSU students are participating in exchanges in Germany. 

• FSU students can study abroad in Dresden through International Programs’ Experiencing Germany program, a German-language intensive summer program that acquaints participants with the language and culture of contemporary Germany. 

• Five German student-athletes currently compete on Florida State Seminoles’ athletic teams, including swimming, tennis and volleyball. 

• German is one of the majors offered to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree in Modern Languages, Literatures, and Cultures from the Department of Modern Languages and Linguistics.  

• In 2014, scientists at the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory (MagLab) completed the world’s strongest magnet for neutron scattering for the Helmholtz Centre Berlin (HZB) in Berlin, Germany.  

To learn more about FSU’s international footprint, visit global.fsu.edu. 

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Ten Florida State University students earned the Global Citizenship Certificate (GCC) last semester, marking their dedication to cultural competency and global engagement.  

These students, including three who completed the certificate with honors, were celebrated for their achievements during a ceremony on Friday, Dec. 5, in the Globe Auditorium. 

Administered by the Center for Global Engagement and housed academically in the College of Social Sciences and Public Policy’s International Affairs Program, the GCC prepares students to succeed in a global workforce.

“Today, we honor ten students who have exhibited unwavering dedication to practicing global citizenship,” said Bryant Harden, instructional specialist and program director for the GCC. “Each of these graduates took the initiative to go beyond the surface and gain as much as they could from each experience. We are pleased to see all the achievements they have already made and will continue to make in our world.” 

Tim Chapin, dean of the College of Social Sciences and Public Policy, spoke at the ceremony. Na’ama Nagar, director of the International Affairs program and teaching faculty III in the Department of Political Science, also offered congratulatory remarks at the celebration.  

“You chose to engage with the world at a much deeper level during your time at FSU,” she said. “You were clearly curious, you were open-minded, you were reflective, and you’re clearly willing to step outside what is familiar, the familiar box that we all like to be comfortable in.” 

During their participation in the program, students enroll in the IDS 2431 Global Perspectives course, which explores global issues and helps build intercultural competencies. In addition, students had to choose three elective courses from a list of pre-approved courses with an international global focus and attend eight intercultural events. Students also had to complete one sustained intercultural experience domestically or abroad to earn the certificate.   

The program began in 2016 with less than 30 students and now has more than 400 enrolled. Since the start of the program, more than 300 students have earned their Global Citizenship Certificate. 

Leona Sophie Rindle, a senior majoring in Psychology and Human Rights and Social Justice, pursued the certificate to gain new experiences and broaden her perspective. She satisfied her sustained experience requirement while spending the fall 2024 semester studying at Griffith University in Brisbane, Australia, through FSU’s Global Exchange Programs.  

“I rediscovered my passion for traveling and learning about other cultures, as well as improving my adaptability to new environments,” Rindle said. “From scuba diving for the first time in the Great Barrier Reef to a monthlong road trip throughout New Zealand to exploring Bali, I had countless incredible experiences that I will never forget.” 

The experience also reaffirmed her commitment to a future in international human rights law after witnessing the struggles of the First Nations Australians to have their cultural rights respected. 

“As I continue on to law school and pursue a career in international human rights law, I will carry with me the intercultural knowledge and curiosity that the program has instilled in me,” Rindle said. “At its most basic level, (the) GCC has taught me the importance of acknowledging our shared humanity despite cultural differences.” 

She and her cohort will continue to draw from their global citizenship skills to approach their future endeavors with unique insight. 

“The world needs people who boldly bridge divides and show compassion, especially when it’s not convenient,” said Faith Parkinson, current student assistant for the GCC and a participant in the program. “Thank you for your commitment to building a more connected and understanding world.” 

For more information about the GCC, visit cge.fsu.edu/global-citizenship-certificate.  

Graduates are listed by name, major(s) and FSU graduation term and year: 

Graduates with a * next to their graduation year pursued the GCC with Honors, meaning they took an additional course (five in total), maintained a GPA of 3.5 or higher in all the certificate courses and completed an honors synthesis paper. 

Isabella Arruda Batanero, Japanese Language and Culture and International Affairs, Fall 2026  

Catherine Bouington, Literature, Media and Culture and Human Development and Family Sciences, Fall 2025 

Tanushree Dhage, Information Technology, Spring 2027 

Mia Gold, Biological Science and Russian, Spring 2026 

Natalie Gonzalez, Political Science, Spring 2026* 

Aleksandra Grechanik, Behavioral Neuroscience, Spring 2026 

Sandra O’Connell, Spanish, Spring 2026* 

Leona Sophie Rindle, Psychology and Human Rights and Social Justice, Spring 2026* 

Madison Rachelle Trusty, Global Club Management and Leadership, Fall 2025 

Carissa Tse, Public Relations and International Affairs, Spring 2026 

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When Florida State University student Ava De Gaetano decided to embark on a global exchange to Salaya, Thailand, her ambitions extended beyond academics.  

De Gaetano, a junior studying management information systems in the College of Business, spent the spring 2025 semester studying at Mahidol University through FSU’s Global Exchanges. In addition to academic credit, the experience also provided her with new, independent experiences, professional development and opportunities for personal growth. 

“It was the best decision I’ve made in my life,” she said. 

FSU’s Global Exchanges provide FSU students the opportunity to attend a university abroad as an exchange student for one semester while earning credit and paying FSU tuition and fees.  FSU has partnerships with more than 40 universities in 20 countries around the globe. Global Exchanges also supports the inbound students from these partner universities, who enroll at FSU for one or two semesters and take classes with FSU students while becoming actively engaged in U.S. campus life. 

De Gaetano had always been interested in Thailand’s rich history and culture. While studying at Mahidol University, she immersed herself in her new environment, taking classes and exploring Salaya with friends she made in the program.  

“I was able to meet so many other international students with similar career goals as mine,” De Gaetano said.

Aspiring to become an international technology business consultant, the university’s immersive program especially helped De Gaetano prepare for a future in global communications through group projects and close collaborations with her peers. She even visited local restaurants to study different business processes for her courses and is already reaping the professional benefits of an international perspective. 

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Florida State University is ramping up its efforts to help first-generation college students participate in study abroad programs, offering new resources and targeted support. These initiatives coincide with the university’s annual Celebration of International Education and its participation in the national First-Generation College Celebration Nov. 5-12. 

A centerpiece of this expansion is the Center for Academic Retention and Enhancement’s (CARE) new Global Learning Community, a cohort-based program launching in Summer 2026.  

Led by instructional specialist Emily Leyava, the program will send 10 CARE students to South Africa for eight weeks of internships, Zulu language classes and cultural immersion. The initiative is designed to lower barriers for first-generation students, who often face financial and informational hurdles when considering international experiences. 

“We will be working with financial aid to see what opportunities are available to our students, including experiential learning grants and private donations,” said Leyava, who will accompany the group as faculty leader. “We don’t want cost to be prohibitive.”  

The program includes a preparatory spring course on global citizenship and international higher education, followed by an immersive summer experience. Students will be matched with internships in sectors like public health, community development and education, and will participate in weekly debriefs, reflective journaling and excursions outside of their home base in the coastal city of Durban. 

“We want our students graduating, going into the job market, going to grad school, whatever they want to do,” Leyava said. “We want to offer them every opportunity possible.” 

The Global Learning Community is coordinated with and supported by FSU International Programs, which operates three study centers in London, Valencia and Florence, a regional branch campus in the Republic of Panama, and faculty-led programs in places such as Croatia, Costa Rica, France, Switzerland, and more.   

“We understand the importance of providing intentional and creative ways to support first-gen students who wish to have an international experience,” said Interim Director of International Programs Louisa Blenman. “We are so pleased that our first partnership with CARE helps us diversify the locations offered by International Programs. Further, this partnership is a vivid demonstration of a transformative program coming to fruition through collaborations among several divisions of the university.” 

Funding opportunities such as the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship, the Tyler Center for Global Studies Fellowship, Dr. Jai’s First-Gen Explorers Fund from FSU First Lady Jai Vartikar, FSU International Programs scholarships and other resources — both across FSU’s campus and externally — can help first-generation students defray costs associated with studying abroad.

Yasmeen Masanti, a senior dance student, studied in Paris through FSU’s Dance in Paris summer program, a four-week immersive experience for dance majors. She said scholarships, including a Gilman Scholarship, made her trip possible. 

“Having the opportunity to dance in Paris and seeing the French culture was a completely different experience than I’ve ever had,” she said. 

Masanti spent her time taking dance and film classes, exploring the city, attending performances and living at Cité Universitaire, a student housing complex bustling with international students.  

“I went to the Eiffel Tower quite a lot because as a kid, I always dreamed about seeing the Eiffel Tower,” she said. “It was just so magical.” 

Masanti credits the CARE Summer Bridge Program for helping her adjust to college and find a community. “I don’t know if I would have still been at FSU if I hadn’t been in the CARE program,” she said. 

Tafari D’Aguilar, a mechanical engineering student and Presidential Scholar, attended John Cabot University in Rome, partially funded by the Gilman Scholarship.  

“Before FSU, I didn’t know what studying abroad meant. I couldn’t imagine affording it,” D’Aguilar said. “It was a culture shock at first. It was my first time out of the country, and I was alone.” 

But he quickly settled in, befriending his roommates and balancing rigorous engineering courses with adventures across the city and broader Italy. 

“We walked cobblestone roads, ate local food and traveled,” D’Aguilar said. “We visited the Pantheon, Vatican City and Milan. One highlight: I canoed in a volcanic crater. It was incredible.” 

The experience, he said, was empowering: “Before, I feared traveling alone, but now I know I can handle it. Once you know you can handle it, there’s no stopping you.” 

FSU’s Celebration of International Education runs through Dec. 5. 

For more information about how Florida State University supports first-generation students and available resources, visit firstgen.fsu.edu.

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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.  

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PHOTO GALLERY

Planning a trip abroad or research project for the first time can be an intimidating task, especially as an undergraduate student with little to no experience. At Florida State University, the Global Scholars Program provides students with guidance and support as they plan and pursue their own student-designed learning experiences.

To highlight these experiences and their outcomes, the Global Scholars Program hosted its annual Global Scholars Showcase Dec. 6 at the Honors, Scholars, and Fellows (HSF) House. The event featured projects ranging from the role of health care systems in Spain to exploring the solidarity of immigration in Morocco and war related tourism in Eastern Europe.

Part of the Center for Undergraduate Research and Academic Engagement (CRE) at FSU, the Global Scholars Program is an experiential education program that helps train students to conduct independent, community-based learning opportunities. It offers a unique opportunity for undergraduate students to engage with critical questions about social impact, social justice, and social change through a combination of academic, classroom-based learning as well as independent research, internship, and/or service-learning experiences.

The program’s strong ‘global’ focus provides guidance and support to help students design their own independent, community-based, learning opportunities over the summer, which may include an online internship with a social impact organization (in the U.S. or abroad), an in-person internship with a social impact organization (in the U.S. or abroad), or a self-directed research project focusing on a social issue in a local context.

The program includes three phases. During the spring semester, students enroll in a theory course that teaches them about the ethics of community-based projects and how to use qualitative research to understand community impacts. The course also helps students determine their individualized levels of comfort and how to develop an experience and get it approved by FSU.

The next phase of the program is the student experience. The third phase of the program includes a reflection course during the fall semester that helps students think back on their experiences and prepare their presentations for the annual Global Scholars Showcase.

With the possibility of traveling around the globe, one of the goals of the program is to teach students to balance risk with the independent experiences they may pursue.

“The program’s design helps students learn how to assess personal risk in a given situation and plan for their future — assessing their own level of comfort for interaction,” said CRE Associate Director Warren Oliver, who runs the Global Scholars Program.

This year, the Global Scholars Program welcomed a cohort of 27 students who conducted experiences in 14 countries. Whether examining health through consumerism in Japan, learning about human rights in Kosovo, or interning with a non-governmental organization in Morocco, the program’s latest cohort continued to expand FSU’s reach around the globe.

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The fall semester may have already started, but some Florida State University students are still thinking about their global adventures during the dog days of summer.

From Kosovo to Ireland and Italy to Croatia to right here in Tallahassee, these FSU students conducted research while participating in internships, volunteering, teaching, travel and more.

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More than 55 Florida State University students are ready to succeed in a global workforce after earning the Global Citizenship Certificate (GCC) during the 2023-2024 academic year.

Fifteen students graduated from the GCC program in Fall 2023 and 43 students graduated in Spring 2024.

Administered by the Center for Global Engagement and housed academically in the College of Social Sciences and Public Policy’s International Affairs Program, the GCC prepares students for success in international job markets with skills like critical thinking, problem solving and intercultural communication. It includes three core components: academic courses, intercultural events and a sustained international experience.

“I find great joy in recognizing the extraordinary accomplishments of our graduates,” said Bryant Harden, instructional specialist and program director for the GCC. “We not only celebrate their academic milestones but also acknowledge the commitment of these graduates to the principles of global citizenship. In the face of skepticism and intolerance, they have chosen to build bridges rather than walls, fostering connections with diverse international students, studying abroad to immerse themselves in the unknown and dedicating countless hours to enriching the lives of others through leadership and volunteering.”

In their first year in the program, students enroll in the IDS 2431 Global Perspectives course, which introduces them to the basic concepts, theories, functions and behaviors associated with intercultural communication. Students then choose three electives from more than 500 pre-approved courses with a global/cross-cultural focus, like “Multinational Financial Marketing” or “Politics of Latin America.”

“In the Global Perspectives course, students explore questions related to world dynamics, interactions and relationships from multiple perspectives in order to increase their understanding of the growing interdependence of nations and peoples, think critically about the world and develop a comparative perspective to broad cross-cultural social, economic and political perspectives,” Harden said.

A signature assignment of Global Perspectives is the Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) project with partners in Brazil. Throughout the semester, FSU students meet virtually with peers in Brazil to exchange information about the similarities and differences in culture, communication styles and approaches to intercultural conflict.

Students must also attend eight pre-approved intercultural events by choosing two from each of the following categories: social, cultural, experiential and educational. Within 10 days of attending the event, students must submit a reflection paper about their experience.

Sustained international experiences can include studying abroad, taking an internship abroad or participating in a global exchange program. The experience must be at least seven days long. Alternatively, students can partake in domestic experiences with an international focus, like internships, volunteering and peer mentorship for three days or more.

Liat Hakmon earned the GCC and graduated from FSU in Spring 2024 with a degree in political science and interdisciplinary social science. For her sustained international experience, Hakmon studied at the University of Salzburg, Austria, during the Spring 2023 semester through FSU’s Global Exchange Program.

To help fund her semester in Salzburg, Hakmon received the GCC scholarship, which is awarded to high-achieving students enrolled in the GCC and accepted to an FSU Global Exchange Program.

“I originally enrolled into the GCC because I found myself attending events such as International Coffee Hour and Global Café,” she said. “This experience has been the best opportunity I have been able to take part in during my time at FSU.”

Andrea Strickland earned the GCC and graduated from FSU with a degree in political science in Spring 2024. She fulfilled her sustained experience requirement by interning with the Haiti Grass Project, which aims to combat soil erosion in Haiti.

Strickland learned about the project during a presentation in her Global Perspectives course by the director of Better Universe and Citizens, a Tallahassee-based nonprofit that oversees the Haiti Grass Project. Captivated by the project’s goals and potential to make a difference, she decided to get involved.

“I knew that working on promoting a more sustainable environment for Haiti was something that I felt called to do,” Strickland said. “Working with my supervisor I had the opportunity to help promote the planting of perennial grasses in Haiti, which would help reduce soil erosion. This experience I would not have traded for the world, and I am so grateful that I’ve had the opportunity to work on a global cause that I’m so passionate about.”

For more information about the GCC, visit cge.fsu.edu/global-citizenship-certificate.

Graduates are listed by name, major(s) and graduation term and year:

Kate Alonso, International Affairs and Philosophy, Fall 2024

Camila Aponte, Political Science and International Affairs, Spring 2024

Grace Avvenire, Languages and Linguistics with a focus on Chinese and Japanese, Spring 2024

Harol Avila, International Affairs, Spring 2024

Abigail Archie, Political Science, Spring 2024

Payton Bolger, Cyber Criminology, Spring 2024

Sophie Barley, Asian Studies and International Affairs, Spring 2024

Youmi Chang, Public Health, Spring 2024

Shuyue Chen, Accounting and Finance, Spring 2025

Sofia Casas, International Affairs and Political Science, Spring 2027

Kailen Christian, Chemical Engineering and Economics, Spring 2024

Jacqueline Cubas, International Affairs and Spanish, Spring 2024

Jared Dasher, Political Science, Spring 2024

Duke Davis, Marketing and Management, Spring 2024

Rachael Delgado, International Affairs and Political Science, Spring 2024

Isabella DiGiorgio, Linguistics and Languages, Spring 2024

Mariana Dos Santos, International Affairs and Interdisciplinary Social Sciences, Spring 2024

Vivienne Dumas, Art History, Spring 2024

Rory Durante, Psychology and Public Relations, Spring 2024

Jacqueline Emmerich, Psychology and Criminology, Spring 2024

Abigail Ferguson, Business Management, Spring 2024

Colson Gantt, International Affairs and French, Spring 2025

Caroline Giddens, Political Science and Public Relations, Spring 2024

Emma Gurdus, Marketing and International Affairs, Spring 2024

Jiayi Guo, Statistics, Fall 2023

Liat Hakmon, Political Science and Interdisciplinary Social Science, Spring 2024

Shanaya Jaitly, Interdisciplinary Science and Environment and Society, Spring 2024

Yasmine Khabou, Behavioral Neuroscience, Spring 2024

Steph Kulenguskey, Communication Science and Disorders, Spring 2024

Ineicia Lewis, English (Literature, Media, and Culture), Summer 2024

Abigail Lynn, Psychology, Spring 2024

Danielle Maresca, Criminology, Spring 2024

Soleil Martinez, Social Work, Spring 2024

Eli McKown-Dawson, Political Science, Spring 2024

Melanie Mitchell, Behavioral Neuroscience, Spring 2026

Vanessa Murat, International Affairs, Spring 2024

Hogan Nease, Commercial Entrepreneurship, Spring 2024

Justin Nightshade, Creative Writing and Anthropology, Spring 2024

Sarah Obert, Psychology, Spring 2026

Riya Patel, Finance and Risk Management, Spring 2024

Shaheed Perez, Physics and Mathematics, Spring 2025

Kayla Reeves, History, Spring 2024

Kyle Rutter, International Affairs and Economics, Spring 2024

Sofia Severino, International Affairs, Spring 2024

Madison Sheppard, International Affairs and Political Science, Spring 2025

Sheridan Skinner, Digital Media Production, Spring 2024

Ashley Slone, Political Science, Spring 2024

Hannah Smith, Political Science, Summer 2024

Andrea Strickland, Political Science, Spring 2024

Samantha Strickland, Psychology, Spring 2024

Madison Tilton, English (Editing, Writing, and Media) and History, Spring 2024

Madeleine Trueba, Business Management, Spring 2025

Michelle Velutini, International Affairs and Political Science, Spring 2024

Elena Villamagna, Public Health, Spring 2024

Sara Weintraub, International Affairs and Political Science, Spring 2024

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