Lutgert College of Business2018-2019 Instructions for International Partner Universities and

Incoming Graduate and Undergraduate International Exchange Students

Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) Lutgert College of Business (LCOB) has established a number of formal partnerships with universities outside of the U.S. to promote the exchange of graduate and undergraduate students. Only students from these designated partner schools may apply to participate in the student exchange program.

Interested students should first contact the international exchange office (sometimes called “Outgoing Students Office”) of their home institution to determine if they are eligible to participate in this program. NOTE: Students must apply for a specified period (one or two semesters depending on the terms of the agreement with the international partner institution). Extensions will not be granted once the student arrives at FGCU.

Responsibilities of the international partner university: Recommend student applicants to FGCU at least six months prior to the beginning of the semester.

(Send a list of students and include their names, level (undergraduate or graduate), major, age, and sex as well as their e-mail address).

Collect the completed required application materials from all their students who are planning to attend FGCU. Review to ensure the students meet FGCU application requirements, and submit them as instructed to FGCU by the deadline date.

FGCU will notify the international partner university with the name(s) of the student(s) who are accepted. The international partner university will notify the students.

Once admitted to FGCU, the FGCU International office will provide the student(s) with the following important information: DS 2019 Pre-Arrival Packet (instructions on preparing to arrive in the US and FGCU, important tasks to

complete, mandatory orientations, etc.) Health Insurance Requirements. Hotel Information (in case the student(s) plans to arrive earlier). Emergency Contact Information (including what to do in case of a weather-related emergency).

Updated: September 20, 2017

APPLICATION DEADLINES(Completed applications MUST be received by FGCU by:

NEW May 1 for the fall semester (August-December) October 15 for the spring semester (January-April)

Step-by-Step Instructions for completing Student Exchange Application Documents(All of the following items need to be submitted to and approved by the international partner university.

Please read and follow the instructions carefully. It will help avoid delays in the application process.

To apply to FGCU, eligible exchange students must submit the following:

STEP 1_____

Application

Incoming undergraduate students need to complete the FGCU International Exchange Student Application Form. http://www.fgcu.edu/CoB/cobfiles/FGCU_Intl_Exchange_Student_Application_2018-2019.pdf

This is a “fillable” PDF document. It means the student can enter the information directly on the form by clicking on the areas that need to be completed by using their computer. Doing this will help prevent errors from trying to interpret the students’ handwriting. The students will need to:

o Print ito Sign ito And, have their home institution also sign the form.

STEP 2_____

Financial Support Documentation

Please refer to the following link to calculate estimated expenses: http://www.fgcu.edu/Admissions/Prospective/expenses.html (Rates go through summer 2018, although no rate changes are anticipate, if any rate increases do occur, they will be posted in July 2018)

Financial Support documents required: Financial Support Verification Letter or Financial Statement must be an original document on the bank or financial firm letterhead. The document should be dated no more than six months prior to the intended date of enrollment. Either document can be submitted to satisfy this requirement. ALL FIGURES MUST BE IN U.S. DOLLARS. Foreign currency figures are not acceptable.

Sample of information to be included in the Financial Statement: http://www.fgcu.edu/Admissions/Prospective/verificationletter.html

STEP 3_____

Letter of Recommendation

The International partner university must provide a Letter of Recommendation attesting that the student meets their academic and code of conduct requirements.

STEP 4_____

Proof of Language Proficiency

To be accepted by FGCU, students must provide proof of their proficiency in English by the application deadline as part of their application packet. Students must meet at least a minimum score in one of the following English proficiency tests.

o TOEFL Computer-based -213 score; Paper-based- 550 score; or Internet-Based 79 score. (This is the preferred language proficiency test.)

o IELTS Exam Minimum 6.5 score.Only official results from TOEFL or IELTS will be accepted as proof of language proficiency.

Updated: September 20, 2017

NEW

STEP 5_____

Academic Transcripts

Students must provide a copy of their academic transcripts (in English). NOTE: FGCU uses this to determine if the student meets the course pre-requisites for the classes they select to take at FGCU.

STEP 6_____

Proof of Immunization

This link provides the student with the form that needs to be completed by their doctor or clinic. http://www.fgcu.edu/studenthealth/immunizations.html Download the immunization Form/Waiver under the Download Student Forms icon.The student may sign a waiver if they have not received the Hepatitis B and/or Meningitis Vaccines.

STEP 7_____

Selection of Courses

The U.S. Immigration requires that international graduate students be enrolled in 9 credits (3 classes) and undergraduate students be enrolled in 12 credits (4 classes). FGCU requires that students submit 6 course options for graduate students and 8 options for undergraduate students that are approved by their home institution. This gives FGCU flexibility in the event their preferred choices are full or it is determined the student does not meet the course pre-requisites.

FGCU will waive tuition fees that are equivalent to full-time status for undergraduate and graduate students as stipulated on the exchange agreement. Exchange students wishing to take more credits than those allowed by the exchange are responsible to pay out-of-state tuition for credits in excess of the amounts waived. NOTE: Tuition waivers are applied to the students’ accounts a few days before classes begin.

Exchange students are highly encouraged to take ENC 1102 (which is specifically designed for non-English speaking students) and will not be permitted to take other foreign language classes while they attend FGCU.

In order to ensure that students meet U.S. Immigration requirements and course requirements, FGCU in consultation with the partner university will enroll the students in classes.

Incoming exchange students must be at least Junior level and majoring in business.

1. To select appropriate courses. (NOTE: Exchange students cannot enroll themselves, we enroll the exchange students using the list of classes approved by their home institution provided with their applications. Students will have an opportunity to request schedule changes when they receive an email with their class schedules.) a. List of Undergraduate Level business general course options offered in the fall and spring terms. Final

schedule is not posted on Gulfline until approximately three weeks before registration starts. http://www.fgcu.edu/CoB/cobfiles/Spring_and_Fall_Undergrad_Business_and_RHM_Course_Selection_options.xlsx

b. List of Graduate Level business courses offered to the exchange students. http://www.fgcu.edu/CoB/cobfiles/Spring_and_Fall_Grad_Course_Selections_options.xlsx

c. For course description (which include course pre-requisites) go to Course Descriptions on Gulf Line: http://icarus.fgcu.edu:8080/CourseDescriptions/

d. For class schedules to determine days/times course is offered, go to Course Schedule on Gulfline: https://gulfline.fgcu.edu/pls/fgpo/szkschd.p_showform

i. Make sure the transcripts you send with your application show that you meet the course pre-requisites for the courses you select.

ii. Although we will make every effort to enroll students in their preferred classes, we cannot guarantee that we will enroll you in specific selections.

Updated: September 20, 2017

NEW

2. Link to FGCU Academic Calendar: http://www.fgcu.edu/Registrar/academiccalendar.asp Select appropriate semester for semester start and end dates, exam dates, and holidays.

STEP 8_____

Copy of Passport

Attach a copy of the passport you will be using to attend FGCU.

_________________________________________________________________________________________

Payment of Application Fee

The FGCU Application Fee of $30.00 USD payment must be received or the application cannot be Processed. Payment MUST ONLY be made by credit card using the following link.

https://secure.touchnet.com/C20748_ustores/web/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCTID=593&SINGLESTORE=true

STEP 10_____

Submit Applications

The International Partner University needs to submit completed application packets for all their students to:Rosemary Meza, Coordinator of Academic ProgramsLutgert College of BusinessFlorida Gulf Coast University10501 FGCU Blvd SFort Myers, FL 33965-6565USA

STEP 11_____

FGCU Housing

Students wishing to stay in FGCU Campus Housing must first receive their acceptance packet from FGCU with their University ID Number (UIN) and their PIN number.After they receive the acceptance packet, hey will need to submit an electronic housing application and a non-refundable $50 housing application fee using a credit card.

To submit an electronic housing agreement: Log into Gulfline at http://gulfline.fgcu.edu and Click on the Student and Financial Aid link. Click on the Housing Web Portal link. Another window will pop up. Click on Log into the Housing

Portal. Another window will pop up asking you if you’d like to close the previous window. Click on “Yes.”

You will be taken to the housing web portal. Click on Applications. Then, click on “Submit a Housing Agreement.” Follow the steps to complete the agreement.

STEP 12_____

Arrival and Orientation

Special arrangements are made for all LCOB International Exchange Students for an early check-in and a special orientation. They will be notified of the dates at the same time they receive their class schedules.

Students need to arrive at FGCU a few days prior to the start of the semester International Orientation – Attendance is mandatory for ALL new international students. Lutgert College of Business International Exchange Students Orientation is mandatory for all LCOB

exchange students.NOTE: Exchange students do not attend the Eagle View Orientation .

Updated: September 20, 2017

STEP 9____

You may receive a variety of email correspondence that does not pertain to you as exchange students. If in doubt, please contact Rosemary Meza at rmeza@fgcu.edu or by telephone at 239-590-7301.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Students will be receiving important information via email from the International Services office informing them about what they need to know prior to their arrival at FGCU.

What to pack and what documents you need: Airline, Customs, Immigration and TSA’s rules and regulations? For more details, please refer to the International Services’ Pre-Arrival Packet that you receive with your DS 2019.

Eagle I Ambassador ProgramThe Eagle International (better known as Eagle I) Ambassador Program provides international students with an opportunity to understand and experience American culture through a friendship with a current FGCU student who is an Eagle I Ambassador. This is a voluntary program. The international student will receive an email invitation from the International Services’ office to which they must reply if they are interested in receiving the assistance of an Eagle I Ambassador.

An Eagle I Ambassador will be assigned an international student. They will communicate with the international student prior to their arrival in Fort Myers and may arrange to pick the student up at the Southwest Florida International Airport and take the student to their FGCU housing. The Eagle I Ambassador may also assist the student by taking them shopping for food/beverages, linens, and anything else the international student may need. Eagle I Ambassadors are students that volunteer to assist international students, learn about the international student, their country and their home institution while sharing American customs. For more details, please refer to the attached Announcement Letter- Ambassador Program.

What you will need the first 24 hours of your arrival in Fort Myers?o Transportation from the airport to FGCU Campus Housingo Food and Beverageso Linenso Other

Depending on what time your flight arrives at the Southwest Florida International Airport will determine if you have an opportunity to go shopping for the essential supplies you will need during the first 24 hours of your arrival.

If you arrive before 12 Midnight

o If you prefer to make your own transportation arrangements, the cab/taxi fare is approximately $25 (including tip). If several of you are traveling together, you may wish to split the fee among your group. Depending on how much luggage you may be bringing 3 persons might fit in one taxi.

o Linens: Single (Twin) size bed sheets, pillow, pillow case, blanket/comforter.o Eating Utensils: Plate, cup, glass, knife, fork, spoon and bowl.

Updated: September 20, 2017

o Food: You may want to stop at an on-campus of off campus eatery to get something to eat prior to checking in to your dorm. Or bring bottled water, snacks and fruit to nourish you until you have an opportunity to go shopping.

If you arrive after 12 Midnight

o An Eagle I Ambassador may not be able to pick you up at the airport, so you might have to make your own transportation arrangements.

o You are encouraged to bring some of the items listed above with you, as you might not be able to purchase them, before checking into your campus housing.

We hope you have a safe and enjoyable trip and that your arrival at FGCU is a positive experience!

We look forward to meeting you in person during the LCOB Exchange Student Orientation.

Updated: September 20, 2017