BEYOND BORDERS International Cultural Exchange   Kingston, Jamaica   Turrialba, Costa Rica   Dresden, Germany

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Learn, lead and serve in a cross-cultural context

Beyond Borders Application Deadline September 9, 2008 for Jamaica; October 24, 2008 for Costa Rica and Germany

Beyond Borders is Florida State University's national award winning international cultural exchange program with three partner universities in Jamaica, Costa Rica and Germany. This program was awarded the Best Practices in International Exchange Award by the International Knowledge Community of the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) in 2005.

This unique exchange program offers an alternative to traditional academic study abroad programs and provides students with short-term, rich cultural learning experiences through immersion in the target cultures. Small groups of 10-12 students spend one week at the University of the West Indies in Kingston, Jamaica during FSU spring break; or three weeks after the end of spring semester at either the Technical University in Dresden, Germany; or the University of Costa Rica's branch campus in Turrialba, Costa Rica.

The benefits of participating in Beyond Borders:

• Learn about the target culture through interaction with the people in a variety of social, cultural, service and academic settings.
• Increase awareness of the social, cultural, political and environmental issues facing the host culture.
• Become actively engaged through volunteer activities
• Participate in leadership learning opportunities and share your culture with your counterparts during their exchange visit to FSU
• Gain cultural competencies and leadership skills needed to make a difference in a global society

Eligibility: All Florida State University students with an interest in the target culture and in developing cross cultural competencies and leadership skills are eligible to apply. Some knowledge of Spanish or German is recommended but not required.

INFORMATION SESSIONS DATES:

• TBA

* All sessions are held at the International Center

If you would like to schedule a presentation about Beyond Borders for your class, please fill out the Presentation Request Form. Please send this form to us via fax to 644-9951 or via e-mail, to bb@admin.fsu.edu.


EXCHANGE DATES:

	JAMAICA FSU March 7-14, 2009 (Spring Break) ---- FSU GROUP TO University of West Indies, Jamaica
	COSTA RICA May 4-25, 2009 ---- FSU GROUP to Costa Rica
	GERMANY May 6-27, 2009 ---- FSU Group to Dresden, Germany
FSU WILL HOST THE DIFFERENT EXCHANGE GROUPS ON THE FOLLOWING DATES:
	JAMAICA University of West Indies to FSU ---- October 16-23, 2008
	COSTA RICA University of Costa Rica to FSU ---- January 27-February 10, 2009
	GERMANY Technical University-Dresden to FSU ---- February 26, 2009 - March 19, 2009

**Dates are subject to change**

Application Process: The application, short essay, resume with references are due to the International Center the due date for the exchange. Applicants will interview with the selection committee. Ten to twelve participants (plus alternates) will be selected based on their interest in the host culture, desire to increase cultural competencies and strengthen leadership skills, and ability to work in a group.

Application Deadlines:
Jamaica – September 9, 2008
Costa Rica and Germany – October 24, 2008

» Click here for information about the German Summer Semester Scholarship

Program Requirements: All team members will participate in pre-departure orientation sessions prior to the exchange and will be actively involved in planning and hosting the incoming group from the partner university.

FEES:

Fee covers airfare, lodging, in country transportation, international travel health insurance, museum and other admission fees, and most meals (except for three day travel break for TUD). All dates and fees are subject to change. If selected, all students traveling abroad must purchase an International Student ID card (ISIC) for $22. The card can be purchased at www.myisic.com.

FSU to UWI full fee payment is due on September 26, 2008. Refunds minus $100 procession fee will only be made if requested prior to October 6, 2008 by 5pm.

FSU to UCR and TUD first half of fee is due on November 13, 2008; second half is due on January 16, 2009. The last day to cancel and receive a refund minus $100 processing fee from payment made is December 5, 2008 by 5pm. No refunds will be made after December 5.

BEYOND BORDERS
International Center
945 Learning Way, PO Box 3064240
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL 32306-4240

Telephone: (850) 645-1220
Email: bb@admin.fsu.edu

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