Florida State University’s Department of Classics recently celebrated a banner night at the Archaeological Institute of America’s (AIA) Annual Meeting in San Francisco.  

Nancy de Grummond, the M. Lynette Thompson Professor of Classics and Distinguished Research Professor and director of Excavations and Research at the Cetamura del Chianti archaeological site in Tuscany, was recognized with the 2026 Gold Medal Award for Distinguished Archaeological Achievement.  

Two FSU graduates and alumni of the FSU Archaeological Field School at Cetamura del Chianti were also honored at the ceremony. 

“The AIA awards dinner in San Francisco offered a snapshot of what FSU Classics is all about: a department filled with pathbreaking and influential professors who inspire excellence in their students, who in turn become pathbreaking and influential scholars, thus ensuring that the field remains at the forefront of the humanities,” said Tim Stover, chair of the Department of Classics.  

The AIA supports archaeologists, their research and its dissemination, and the ethical practice of archaeology while promoting archaeological inquiry and public understanding of the material record of the human past to foster an appreciation of cultures and shared humanity. The Gold Medal, awarded to one archaeologist each year, recognizes distinguished contributions to the discipline through research and fieldwork. It’s considered analogous to a lifetime achievement award. 

De Grummond has served as director of Excavations and Research at Cetamura since 1983, leading generations of FSU students to the site each summer. The site was discovered in 1964 by Italian archaeologist Alvaro Tracchi, and students from FSU’s Department of Classics started excavating the site in 1973 after the FSU Florence program obtained a permit from the Italian government.  

Now known as the Archaeology in Tuscany Program, FSU students live in a Chianti hill town close to the site and excavate artifacts, study stratigraphy and learn how to process their finds while taking courses examining a variety of approaches to archaeology in the field, the lab and the museum. It is administered by International Programs.  

“It is hard to describe the joy and satisfaction that comes with this kind of recognition,” de Grummond said. “In addition, the thrill of receiving the award was magnified when I found out that two of my students were sharing the podium at the ceremony. We are all so fortunate to have had the FSU International Programs and Department of Classics create the environment where our potential was nurtured.” 

Two FSU alumni were also honored at the AIA’s Annual Meeting. Melanie Godsey (B.A. ‘13) was recognized for her contributions to the book, “Households in Context: Dwelling in Ptolemaic and Roman Egypt” (Cornell University Press, 2023), which focuses on the daily lives of families in Egypt, moving beyond elite narratives. The book won the 2026 James R. Wiseman Book Award from AIA, which honors an outstanding academic book in archaeology published within the past four years that advances the field through original research and synthesis. Godsey earned her bachelor’s degree in Classical Archaeology from FSU in 2013 and is an assistant professor of Classical Studies at Trinity University in San Antonio.  

Taylor Cwikla (B.A. ‘19, M.A. ‘22) received the inaugural Gold Public Engagement Award from AIA, which recognizes members who make archaeology accessible to a broad range of non-specialist audiences. Cwikla earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Classical Archaeology from FSU and serves as a museum educator at the American School of Classical Studies in Athens, Greece, building educational resources that educators worldwide can access for free.  

During their time at FSU, Godsey and Cwikla both spent time at Cetamura. Cwikla served as a field archaeologist and research assistant in 2016 and as an excavation supervisor in 2017, 2018 and 2019. Godsey was a field archaeologist and research assistant at Cetamura in 2010 and has also worked at sites in Egypt and Greece.  

Discoveries by FSU at Cetamura have unearthed a long and diverse history that encompasses successive settlements by the Etruscans (7th-1st centuries BCE), the Romans (1st century BCE-4th century CE), and Medieval Italians (11th-12th century CE). In 2023, FSU celebrated 50 years of discoveries at Cetamura with the inauguration of the new Civic Museum at the Origins of Chianti. Located 9 kilometers from the archaeological site, the museum collection highlights the archeological discoveries at Cetamura, including Etruscan and Roman artifacts. 

“The research de Grummond has done on the material found at Cetamura has helped revolutionize our understanding of the Etruscans,” Stover said. “She has been an influential, inspirational and generous scholar, one whose work has not only changed the way we think about ancient Italy but has positively impacted the lives of countless students. Two of those students, Taylor Cwikla and Melanie Godsey, have gone on to have amazing careers, so it is no surprise that they too have been recognized by the AIA.” 

For more information about FSU’s Department of Classics, visit classics.fsu.edu. To learn more about the Archaeology in Tuscany program, visit the International Programs website.  

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With a rich history of supporting learning and scholarship in programs around the world, Florida State University has earned top rankings in multiple categories in a new report from the Institute of International Education (IIE). 

FSU is ranked No. 1 among public universities and No. 4 overall for long-term study abroad enrollments in the IIE Open Doors 2025 Report, with 170 students studying abroad for eight weeks or more during the 2023-2024 academic year. FSU also ranked No. 10 among public universities and No. 12 overall for the total number of students studying abroad, with 2,702 students participating in programs in the 2023-2024 academic year.  

“Florida State University’s strong performance in the Open Doors report is continuous and reflects our deep commitment to global engagement and experiential learning,” said Steve McDowell, assistant provost for International Initiatives and interim dean of The Graduate School. “Long-term study abroad experiences provide transformative opportunities for students to immerse themselves in different cultures, broaden their perspectives, and develop skills that prepare them for success in an interconnected world.” 

Open Doors has long been regarded as the comprehensive information resource on international students and scholars in the United States and on U.S. students studying abroad. It is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State with funding provided by the U.S. Government and supported in its implementation by IIE.  

The top three leading destinations for study abroad were identified in the report as Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom. FSU’s International Programs maintains a year-round presence in all three countries with study centers in Florence, Valencia and London. FSU also has a branch campus in the Republic of Panama in Panama City. 

Other study abroad opportunities offered by FSU International Programs include programs in Costa Rica, Croatia, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Kosovo, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, Romania and Switzerland. This summer, International Programs is partnering for the first time with the Center for Academic Retention and Enhancement (CARE) to administer the CARE Global Learning Community Internship. The program is part of an initiative by FSU First Lady Jai Vartikar to help make transformative experiential learning opportunities available to more students. With support from Dr. Jai’s First-Gen Explorer’s Fund, first-generation students from CARE will travel to Durban, South Africa, to participate in full-time internships with local organizations and institutions as well as group excursions and language study.    

“Our programs are designed to give students meaningful, hands-on experiences that go beyond the classroom,” said Louisa Blenman, executive director of International Programs. “These opportunities help students grow academically and personally while building lifelong connections across the globe.” 

In addition to opportunities at International Programs, FSU students can also participate in Global Exchanges. Administered through the Center for Global Engagement, FSU’s Global Exchanges provides students the opportunity to attend a university abroad as an exchange student while earning credit and paying FSU tuition and fees. FSU has partnerships with more than 40 universities in 20 countries around the globe. Locations include Australia, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, South Korea, Spain and the United Kingdom. 

For more information about study abroad opportunities through International Programs, visit international.fsu.edu. To learn more about FSU’s Global Exchanges, visit cge.fsu.edu/fsu-global-exchange-programs.   

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Florida State University Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Jim Clark has appointed Louisa Blenman as executive director of International Programs. 

Blenman, who has served as interim director since May 2024, will officially start in the role on Dec. 5. 

“FSU’s International Programs open doors to the world for our students, and Lou Blenman’s appointment as executive director marks an exciting new chapter,” said FSU Provost James Clark. “Her vision and experience will help us deepen global partnerships and create transformative opportunities that prepare students to lead in a rapidly changing world.” 

Blenman will build upon 30 years of experience and expertise in international education. She has worked for FSU International Programs since 2004 and served as associate director since 2018. She also currently serves on the boards of charities and foundations associated with each FSU international study center and the FSU International Programs Association direct support organization. 

“Lou Blenman’s appointment as executive director reflects her years of leadership and expertise at FSU and in the field of study abroad,” said Steve McDowell, FSU’s assistant provost for International Initiatives. “Her vision will ensure FSU continues to offer world-class global opportunities for our students.” 

FSU is a national leader in international education, ranking 10th among public universities (No. 12 overall) for the total number of students studying abroad in 2023-2024, with 2,702 students participating in global programs. FSU also ranks first among public universities (and No. 4 overall) for the number of students participating in long-term study abroad programs, leading the field in extended international education experiences. 

This year also marks the 20th anniversary of FSU’s innovative First Year Abroad program, with a record 314 students enrolled this fall — a testament to the university’s commitment to expanding transformative global opportunities for its students. 

“I appreciate Provost Clark’s confidence in me to lead the International Programs team as we build on our successful history and pursue new opportunities abroad,” Blenman said. “It is an honor to have so many talented colleagues, both domestically and internationally, who work tirelessly to provide transformative experiences for our students. I look forward to continuing to support the university’s strategic efforts and aspirations.”  

 Before International Programs, Blenman spent a decade working in study abroad in London after completing a prestigious internship at the Fulbright Commission. 

Blenman is a two-time graduate of FSU. She earned a Master’s in Higher Education from the College of Education (now the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences) in 1994 and an MBA from the College of Business in 2012. 

She succeeds Jim Pitts, who retired in 2024 after a 56-year career at Florida State. 

To learn more about International Programs, visit international.fsu.edu. 

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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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Florida State University unveiled three new striking bronze statues in the Student Union last week titled “Vires, Artes, Mores,” representing the university’s core values of strength, skill, and character.  

Cast from the same molds originally created for sculptures displayed at the FSU Florence Study Center, the statues bring a piece of FSU’s international heritage home to Tallahassee. 

Standing over eight feet tall atop custom pedestals crafted by the FSU Master Craftsman Studio, the figures are nearly identical to their counterparts at FSU Florence. Their Renaissance design evokes the rich artistic legacy of Florence, while their presence on campus serves as a powerful symbol of discovery, resilience and global connection. 

“The commitment that we have at Florida State University to our international programs is profound,” FSU President Richard McCullough said. “These figures will be a lasting reminder of everything that we stand for and our enduring connection to the world. These statues are powerful reminders of what makes us Florida State University— strength, skill, and character.” 

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Florida State University will highlight its internationalization and global awareness efforts during its Celebration of International Education from Oct. 27 through Dec. 5.  

With more than 100 international agreements, including cooperative agreements and bilateral exchange agreements, FSU fosters faculty collaborations and student exchanges across the globe. FSU’s international impact is significant, with European study centers in England, Spain and Italy, a branch campus in the Republic of Panama, global exchanges in 21 different countries and 2,790 enrolled international students on campus this semester representing over 125 countries.  

Featured events include: 

MONDAY, OCT. 27 

Urban Resilience and Reconstruction in Ukraine: Monitoring, Transformation, and Adaptation
4:30 p.m., Bradley Reading Room, Strozier Library
Join FSU Libraries and FSU’s Ukraine Taskforce for a lively discussion with visiting Ukrainian scholars on geography, urban spaces and resilience.  

TUESDAY, OCT. 28 

Ukrainian Witches vs. Romanian Vampires
3-4:15 p.m., The Globe Auditorium
Join the Center for Global Engagement, the Department of Modern Languages, and FSU’s Ukraine Task Force for a captivating and spooky discussion exploring two of Europe’s most enduring folkloric figures: witches and vampires. 

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 29 

Study Abroad Fair
11 a.m.-3 p.m., Landis Green
Join International Programs for an opportunity to meet with faculty and staff about programs they offer.  

THURSDAY, OCT. 30 

Broad Lecture on International Affairs delivered by Justice Albie Sachs
4:30 p.m. reception, 5 p.m. lecture, College of Medicine Auditorium
Albie Sachs, former justice of South Africa’s Constitutional Court, will speak on “Presidents & Power: How South Africa’s Highest Court Held Nelson Mandela and Two Other Presidents Accountable to the Constitution.” A reception at 4:30 p.m. will precede his talk, and a book signing will follow. This lecture is presented as part of FSU’s Ruth K. and Shepard Broad International Lecture Series.

Middle East Center Open House
5-7 p.m., Kellogg Building (KRB), Room 317
Join the Department of Modern Languages and Linguistics and The Middle East Center to learn more about the Middle Eastern Studies program. 

FRIDAY, OCT. 31 

International Coffee Hour: Arab Student Union
5 p.m., The Globe
Join the Center for Global Engagement every Friday classes are in session for its signature event, featuring refreshments from a featured culture and interaction with students, scholars and faculty from around the world. The Arab Student Union will serve baklava. This event is open to all current FSU students, faculty, staff and their invited guests that accompany them.

TUESDAY, NOV. 4 

Going Global: A Student Panel of FSU Education Abroad Opportunities
4-5 p.m., The Globe Auditorium
Join student representatives from International Programs, Global Exchanges, Global Scholars, and the Tyler Center for Global Studies as they share their education abroad experiences. This is a great opportunity to hear about first-hand experiences with each of these FSU education abroad opportunities. 

FRIDAY, NOV. 7 

International Coffee Hour: Alpha Kappa Delta Phi
5 p.m., The Globe
Join the Center for Global Engagement every Friday classes are in session for their signature event featuring refreshments from a featured culture and interaction with students, scholars and faculty from around the world. Alpha Kappa Delta Phi will serve samosas. This event is open to all current FSU students, faculty, staff and their invited guests that accompany them. 

THURSDAY, NOV. 13 

The World Comes to Landis
1-3 p.m., Landis Green
Join the Center for Intensive English Studies (CIES) for a meet and greet to show FSU students, faculty and staff how CIES supports the academic mission of FSU. 

FRIDAY, NOV. 14 

A World of Support: Stories of International Grants and Fellowships in the Arts & Humanities
10-11 a.m., virtual
In this panel talk, four faculty members from the Arts and Humanities will discuss their experiences with securing funding support for international research and creative initiatives.  

Global Cafe: Central America (CALOR)
11:30 a.m.-2 p.m., The Globe Dining Room
Join the Center for Global Engagement and the Central American LatinX Organization (CALOR) for Global Cafe: Central America. The menu will feature an entree, sides, drink and dessert from the featured region. A portion of the proceeds goes to the co-hosting student organization. Each meal is $12, credit card only. 

Global Exchanges Fair
3-5 p.m., The Globe Auditorium
Join the Center for Global Engagement to learn more about FSU’s Global Exchange programs and meet international students from FSU’s partner universities and FSU students who have recently been abroad on an exchange program.  

International Coffee Hour: Sri Lankan Student’s Association
5 p.m., The Globe
Join the Center for Global Engagement every Friday classes are in session for their signature event featuring refreshments from a featured culture and interaction with students, scholars and faculty from around the world. The Sri Lankan Student Association will serve coconut pancakes. This event is open to all current FSU students, faculty, staff and their invited guests that accompany them. 

TUESDAY, NOV. 18 

World Music Performance – Mas ‘n’ Steel and Old Time Ensemble
7:30 p.m., Opperman Music Hall
Feel the energy of Trinidadian steelpan with Mas ‘n Steel and experience the lively sounds of Appalachian-style fiddle tunes and dance with the Old Time Ensemble.  

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 19 

Explore International Experiences: A Networking Event
1:30-4:30 p.m., The Career Center
Join the Career Center for a networking event featuring external providers that connect college students with undergraduate research, service-learning engagements, job shadowing and more around the globe. 

World Music Performance – Balinese Gamelan and Chinese Music Ensemble
7:30 p.m., Opperman Music Hall
Experience rich music from across Asia with performances by Sekaa Gong Hanuman Agung Balinese Gamelan and the Chinese Music Ensemble.  

THURSDAY, NOV. 20 

Tyler Center for Global Studies Virtual Summit
4-6 p.m., virtual (register here)
Join the Tyler Center for Global Studies for its annual virtual summit, where 12 Tyler Fellows from 12 different institutions will showcase their research and experiences abroad.  

Narratives at War: Ukraine’s Media, Russian Propaganda and Political Culture
5 p.m. reception, 5:30 p.m. lecture, The Globe Auditorium
Serhiy Kvit, president of the National University of Kyiv Mohayla Academy and former Ukrainian Minister of Education and Science, will deliver the lecture “Narratives at War: Ukraine’s Media, Russian Propaganda and Political Culture.” This lecture is sponsored by the College of Social Sciences and Public Policy’s Anderson-Ashby Lectureship on Public Policy Journalism, The Ukraine Task Force, FSU’s Learning Systems Institute and the Center for Global Engagement’s Engage Your World Speaker Series. 

World Music Performance – Modern Pop and Brazilian Ensembles
7:30 p.m., Opperman Music Hall
Enjoy a variety of vocal works and modern pop band instruments through traditional and contemporary Brazilian music performed by the Modern Pop and Brazilian Ensembles. 

FRIDAY, NOV. 21 

World Music Performance – Indian and African Music Ensembles
7:30 p.m., Opperman Music Hall
Hear music from across Africa with the African Music and Dance Ensemble and enjoy a range of Indian musical traditions with the new Indian Music Ensemble.  

LSI Around the World – Panel Discussion and Q&A
10 a.m.-11:30 a.m., The Globe Auditorium
Join Learning Systems Institute (LSI) for a panel discussion and Q&A with LSI staff as they share firsthand stories, challenges, and insights from months spent working all over the world. 

International Coffee Hour: Slavic Student Association
5 p.m., The Globe
Join the Center for Global Engagement every Friday classes are in session for their signature event featuring refreshments from a featured culture and interaction with students, scholars and faculty from around the world. The Slavic Student Association will serve Transylvanian donuts. This event is open to all current FSU students, faculty, staff and their invited guests that accompany them. 

FRIDAY, DEC. 5 

Global Scholars Showcase
3-5 p.m., Honors, Scholars, and Fellows House – Nancy H. Marcus Great Hall
The Global Scholars Showcase is a culminating symposium event celebrating the community research projects of the 2025 Global Scholars. At the showcase, you will hear the stories of travel, community, and adventure that our Global Scholars experienced over the summer. This event is sponsored by the Center for Undergraduate Research and Academic Engagement. 

International Coffee Hour: Sigma Lambda Beta
5 p.m., The Globe
Join the Center for Global Engagement every Friday classes are in session for their signature event featuring refreshments from a featured culture and interaction with students, scholars and faculty from around the world. This event is open to all current FSU students, faculty, staff and their invited guests that accompany them. 

For more information, visit global.fsu.edu/celebration-of-international-education.  

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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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This summer, Florida State University students participated in prestigious academic programs at the University of Oxford in England, continuing FSU’s tradition of global engagement and interdisciplinary learning.  

Honors students at the Oxford Consortium for Human Rights 

Eight students from the FSU Honors Program participated in the Oxford Consortium for Human Rights workshop, joining peers from around the world to explore the theme “Human Rights and New Technology.” This marked the fourth consecutive year FSU has sent students to the Consortium, with this year’s group being the largest yet. 

The workshop, which took place July 6-12, focused on the role of technology in modern society and explored the urgent, exciting and concerning issues around changing technological landscapes and how this influences day-to-day life. 

Throughout the week, students engaged in discussions on the ethical and societal impacts of emerging technologies.  

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For the first time, Florida State University students took part in an FSUshadow program at the university’s Republic of Panama campus. Twenty-one students shadowed professionals at five Panama-based employers, gaining firsthand experience in fields such as technology, aviation, logistics, media and insurance.

FSUshadow connects students during winter, spring and summer breaks with employers to explore career options, allowing them to get a closer glimpse of the industry they hope to pursue. Through the program, students learn directly from experienced employees who share insight on standards and trends in the workplace. This helps students make more informed decisions about their career options while growing their professional network.

The participating employers in the first FSUshadow in Panama were ARPIA Technologies, ASSA Compañía de Seguros, Circle Logistics, Copa Airlines and TVN Media. They represented disciplines of college study in information technology, engineering, aerospace, news media and supply chain management.

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This summer, the Florida State University Honors Program launched a new study abroad program in London for students to discover the history and legacy of the Roman presence in Britain.

The Honors Global Experiences program, administered through International Programs at the FSU London Study Centre, immerses students into the past through site visits and experiential learning.

Fifteen Honors students spent four weeks in London and surrounding areas during July and August while they took the class “In the Footsteps of the Ancients: Roman Britain,” one of the interdisciplinary Honors Signature Courses offered within the Honors Program. Students in the Honors Program are required to complete one Honors Signature Course to graduate with honors.

Honors Associate Director Michael Furman designed the course specifically for the London experience and took students to places that feature Roman archaeological remains, including Bath and the British Museum and an overnight trip to Hadrian’s Wall, a 73-mile-long fortification system constructed in the second century AD. 

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The study of economics transcends language and geographic barriers across the world, as individuals rely on its teachings to make better choices and live a more satisfying life. 

At Florida State University, the Gus A. Stavros Center for the Advancement of Free Enterprise and Economic Education is leading multiple efforts to provide quality economics education on campus and around the world. 

The Stavros Center was founded in 1988 through a generous endowment from Gus Stavros and his wife, Frances. The son of Greek immigrants, Stavros created the center with the mission to further free enterprise and extend economics education in schools and the broader community. 

Joseph Calhoun, a teaching professor and director of the Stavros Center, is fulfilling that mission statement in several different ways. 

“There is no physical limit to how that mission is achieved,” Calhoun said. “Regardless of where the teacher is, if they have anything to do with economics, personal finance or entrepreneurship, it falls within our mission to reach them. From Eastern Europe or just down the road here at a high school, the center can help them. International outreach is something that is very consistent with Gus Stavros’ mission for the center and something he would have loved.” 

With a career spanning more than 21 years, Calhoun has taught many upper-division economics and personal finance courses at FSU. He also created the Unconquered by Debt Program, which helps enhance financial literacy among students through online resources and peer mentor workshops. 

Calhoun has experience teaching abroad at all three of FSU’s European study centers through International Programs — twice at FSU Florence and FSU Valencia and once at FSU London. 

“You try to show students, locally, how what we talk about in class is relevant to not just people in the United States, but people in those three locations,” Calhoun said. “It’s not the typical micro or macroeconomics course as we apply it in the context of where the students are studying abroad.” 

According to Calhoun, the Stavros Center’s international work all started through the book “Common Sense Economics: What Everyone Should Know About Wealth and Prosperity.”

Originally written in 1993 by James D. Gwartney, one of America’s most respected economists and professor who taught economics at FSU for 53 years and served as director of the Stavros Center from 2004-2015, “Common Sense” is a “primer” to economics — a high-level and non-technical book accessible to everyone regardless of their knowledge on the subject. Calhoun co-authored the book’s third and fourth editions. 

“If you’re only going to read one book about economics and personal finance, ‘Common Sense’ is the book,” he said.  

In 2019, an anonymous benefactor provided an endowment to the Economics Fundamentals Initiative (EFI), a non-profit organization dedicated to inspiring interest in the learning and teaching of economics, to have “Common Sense” translated into 12 different languages and distributed at no cost to educators. EFI recruited Calhoun to assist in this effort which focused predominately on languages from post-communist countries including Czech, Albanian and Ukrainian.  

To guarantee that translations were done properly, Calhoun and the EFI worked with subject-matter experts in each country. Certain examples were adapted according to each country’s specific economic and cultural situations. 

“When we talk about checking accounts and mutual funds in the text, that might not be relevant to some of the countries the book is being translated into,” Calhoun said. “Examples with the Federal Reserve Bank are not something that people in other countries have. Some languages like Armenian and Georgian didn’t even have words for some English economic terms—they had to come up with something new.” 

Due to this expanded global reach, “Common Sense” is now a resource used in preparation for the Economics Olympiad (EO), an annual competition for high school students around the world in the areas of economics and finance. The EO operates under the auspices of the International Olympic Academy, the main educational and cultural institution for the International Olympic Committee, the guardian of the Olympic games.  

The EO is the world’s largest and fastest-growing global competition in economics for high school students. There are currently 68 countries participating in the EO, including the U.S., with over 80,000 students engaging in the competition. 

The competition consists of four rounds, with the first round taking place at each individual school. Qualifying students advance to the regional round. Following that, qualifying students compete in a national round. Subsequently, the top five students from each nation are selected to represent their country in the International Final Round, the fourth and final stage of the competition.  

In this final stage, participants gather at the EO’s host nation for a two-day competition. There, students participate in three rounds of challenging tests including multiple choice, short answer response, case studies, presentations and collaborative projects guided by leading economists, entrepreneurs and academics. 

In 2024, the International Final Round of the Economics Olympiad took place in Ancient Olympia, Greece, with 87 students representing 18 countries. Calhoun was invited to serve as a judge for the competition in 2024 and will reprise that role again at this year’s event.

Five students representing the U.S. will participate in the International Final Round for the very first time this summer.

Calhoun’s role in the competition aligns with FSU’s focus on encouraging faculty across campus to participate in events where they can showcase their expertise and why it’s crucial, particularly on a global scale.  

“I was greatly encouraged to see high school students from around the world who are interested and passionate about economics,” Calhoun said. “It was incredibly rewarding to encourage them and cheer for their success. I was very proud to wear my FSU shirt and to demonstrate how my university supports education beyond Tallahassee.”  

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Twenty-two Florida State University students will study around the world this summer through the prestigious Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program.

Sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, the Gilman Scholarship gives students the opportunity to study or intern in foreign countries, providing students with skills critical to U.S. national security and economic prosperity while preparing them for a globalized world. To be eligible for the Gilman Program, applicants must have a strong academic record and plan to pursue a credit-bearing experience. Applicants must also be receiving a Federal Pell Grant during the time of application or provide proof that they will be receiving a Pell Grant during the term of their study abroad program or internship.

Since its inception, FSU has had 187 Gilman Scholars who have studied abroad in 43 different countries and earned over $700,000 toward their international experiences. With this award, Florida State students join the prestigious ranks of the Gilman alumni network stretching across the globe.

“Our 2025 class is a particularly impressive group of young scholars,” said Jesse Wieland, associate director of the Office of National Fellowships. “These students didn’t shy away from Gilman’s most competitive application cycles to date but rather used that competition as motivation to craft compelling application materials. Our Gilman scholars are a microcosm of the creativity and academic rigor amongst our student body; they all found ideal study programs that align with their majors or professional aspirations in coordination with FSU faculty and staff.”

The Institute of International Education (IIE) has administered the program since its inception in 2001, with more than 28,000 students awarded. The IIE received a record high of 17,000 applications across the 2024-2025 academic cycle, and FSU awardees are among those selected to pursue an international experience over the summer.

Nine of the 22 recipients will use the Gilman Scholarship to participate in study abroad experiences administered through FSU International Programs. Shinaika Hiller, Jean-Luc Cruz, and Alyia Fitzgerald will participate in the “Social Work & International Affairs: Human Rights” program in Prague, Czech Republic this summer.

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