Global Engagement Office

The Global Engagement Office (GEO) Ambassador Program provides opportunities for international students to experience American culture through friendships with U.S. students — and helps American students expand their education through interaction with students from abroad. These relationships enhance cultural awareness and global learning.

Get involved - more on the GEO Ambassador Program

At FGCU we value the importance of world travel, and as such we are an authorized Passport Acceptance Facility. We serve FGCU students, faculty, staff and the public.

FGCU Passport Acceptance Facility

 The FGCU Peace Corps Prep program creates a frameworks for you to build competencies, integrating coursework with hands-on experience and professional development. Peace Corps Prep is a certificate program for undergraduates that centers on one empowering question: How can you prepare yourself to be the best Peace Corps Volunteer (or any international fieldwork representative) you can be?

Get involved - more on the FGCU peace corps prep program

By immersing yourself in another culture somewhere across the globe, you will broaden your international perspective, gain greater awareness of your own culture and history — and collect amazing travel stories to share for a lifetime. Studies show that international experience leads to greater employment opportunities after you graduate.

FGCU Study Abroad 

Exchange programs allow you to pay FGCU tuition to study at foreign institutions with which we have exchange agreements. Students earn direct FGCU academic credit for courses taken abroad. Exchange programs are often affiliated with and coordinated by a college or degree program.

More information about our Partner University Exchange Programs can be found on our Study Abroad web page under Program Types.

• The Global Learning Grant Program aims to help students pay for tuition and fees for undergrad students in programs affiliated with the Global Engagement Office, provided they meet the eligibility requirements.
  Global Learning Grant Application
  

• For Initial Students(first year at FGCU), and/or students with a GPA of 3.5 or higher please apply for the LAC scholarship through FGCU Admissions: LAC/Undergrad Admissions

The FGCU Peace Corps Prep program creates a frameworks for you to build competencies, integrating coursework with hands-on experience and professional development. Peace Corps Prep is a certificate program for undergraduates that centers on one empowering question: How can you prepare yourself to be the best Peace Corps Volunteer (international fieldwork rep) you can be? 

GET INVOLVED - MORE ON THE FGCU PEACE CORPS PREP PROGRAM

Click on the picture below to see our 2024 Photo Contest Winners

Established in 1946, the Fulbright Program aims to increase mutual understanding between the peoples of the United States and other countries, through the exchange of persons, knowledge, and skills. Each year, FGCU faculty and students contribute to and participate in many Fulbright programs. To find out about the opportunities available visit: http://www.cies.org/ 

FGCU Faculty Advisors:

Michael McDonald (PhD)  

Current Opportunities for U.S. Scholars

Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) is a teaching method that enables professors from different countries to add a global learning experience to each of their courses. If you are faculty or student, learn more about FGCU's COIL initiative:

FGCU COIL Initiative

*Beginning January 1st, 2021: An innovative new way to internationalize the curriculum at FGCU across 4 areas of study: Humanities, Business, Science and Global Perspectives. Materials are for faculty to use to internationalize and enhance curriculum. Initial countries to be covered are Costa Rica, England, France, Italy, Czech Republic, Austria, Slovakia and India with more countries to be announced soon.

FGCU Global Virtual Content

Resources

• Teach Abroad
• WorldTeach
• Peace Corps
• Rotary
• Teach Abroad with Cross-Cultural Solutions
• Teach TESOL Abroad with Oxford Seminars
• Study Abroad, Volunteer, Teach with GoAbroad.com
• Tips for Teaching Abroad

Process to host an international scholar:

 Process to be completed by the host: 

•  Complete Exchange Visitor Request Form to request FGCU Global Engagement Office to issue a DS-2019 form. Please fill out the form, bearing signatures from the host, hosting supervisor, and the FGCU Department Chair (or Dean) must sign in ink, on the last page  bearing signatures from you, the hosting supervisor and the FGCU department head (or Dean) must sign in ink, on the last page. The sponsoring FGCU department must complete all items on this form. This form is to be completed and approved no less than one month before the intended program start date. 
• Provide Letter of invitation for Prospective Scholar: Including/describing activities the research scholar will be engaging during his Exchange Visitor Program. (Optional)

If the host wishes to grant FGCU Courtesy Faculty Appointment to the scholar, please work with the Provost’s office and ISO on further details and instruction.

Process to be completed by the prospective international scholar:

• Complete Exchange Visitor Profile
• Provide Financial Support document/Statement, in U.S. Dollars, to be accompanied by a bank statement (verifying the evidence of funds available, if financial support comes from an outside FGCU source).
• Complete J-1 Insurance Notification Form: All scholars must maintain medical/health insurance coverage for the duration of their program.
• Complete Sickness and Accident Insurance Verification Form. Please contact the FGCU Global Engagement Office at Tgjini@fgcu.edu for further information and guidance on available alternative health/medical insurance plans. 
• Provide CV or Resume Copy
• Provide A Photocopy of his/her Passport Biographic Page. Please indicate if a dependent (spouse or child) will be joining scholar in the program to the United States.

All this paperwork needs to be submitted to our office at least 45-60 days in advance of the scholar’s intended program start date. Upon successfully submitting all the required paperwork, our office will work with the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs on the Deemed Export Control Review, Legal Counsel’s office, and other stakeholders to process these documents before the scholar visa documentation could be issued.

IF THE PROSPECTIVE SCHOLAR HAS PREVIOUSLY PARTICIPATED IN A J-1 SCHOLAR PROGRAM IN THE U.S. AND HAS A 212(E) TWO YEAR HOME RESIDENCY RULE PLACED ON THE ANNOTATED SECTION OF THE J-1 VISA, IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THE PROSPECTIVE SCHOLAR APPLIES FOR AND RECEIVES A 'No-objection' WAIVER OR RESIDES IN HOME-COUNTRY FOR TWO YEARS, PRIOR TO BEING ABLE TO APPLY TO ANOTHER J-1 EXCHANGE VISITOR PROGRAM.

Annotation: Prospective International Scholar: All scholars must maintain medical/health insurance coverage for the duration of their program. Prospective Scholar must sign and send back to us the J-1 Insurance Notification Form (See the attached document titled: Insurance Notification Form ).  If the Scholar has insurance in his/her home country and wishes to utilize that plan during his/her stay at FGCU, she may ask her insurance company agent to fill out the attached Sickness and Accident Insurance Verification Document and send it to our office of International Studies, before the program start. Should her current health insurance be deemed to meet the criteria in the Compliance Form (Sickness and Accident Insurance Verification Form), then he/she will not be required to purchase the FGCU Health Insurance Plan through Gallagher Insurance Company. If the Scholar does not wish to utilize another alternative health insurance plan, they may enroll in the FGCU International Scholar Health Insurance Plan through Gallagher Insurance Plan at https://www.gallagherstudent.com/students/user-login.php?idField=1187/ For frequently asked questions about the Gallagher Medical Insurance plan; please visit: https://www.gallagherstudent.com/parents/faq/ and https://www.gallagherstudent.com/parents/value-proposition/   If the Scholar doesn’t plan to utilize an alternative medical insurance plan, then he/she will be required to enroll in the FGCU medical insurance plan through Gallagher Insurance company (our FGCU scholar insurance plan). If the Scholar plans to utilize another insurance plan and has further questions on which insurance plan would meet the FGCU requirements, please let us know.

Related Forms: 

• Estimated Expenses for J-1 Exchange Visitor/Scholar
• International Agreement Process

• COIL
• Fulbright
• Professional Engagement

COIL COHORT 2023-24

In Fall Semester 2023, GEO will announce to the campus the 4^th Iteration of the Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) Faculty Fellows Program. 

The program will provide selectees with support in the development of COIL-type courses to be offered in Academic year 2023-2024 and beyond.  This year we will require participants to complete an online training program before submitting a COIL course-based proposal to the program.  Those selected will receive further training on COIL pedagogy, and support for course development from Instructional Design.  Fellows will also receive support from the cadre of current COIL practitioners for scholarly production and a stipend with which they can travel to meet their COIL partner or invite the partner to FGCU or attend a professional conference where they present their COIL-based work. 

FGCU FULBRIGHT SCHOLAR TOP OFF AWARD PROGRAM

FGCU will maintain the current base salary for all full-time faculty members who win a Fulbright US Scholar Program Award for the duration of their award.

Professional Engagement Programs through the School for International Training

Professional Development Certificate

Dates:  February – April 2024 (9 weeks)
Location: Online
Cost: $2,000 Fee paid by FGCU GEO for up to 5 selected participants.

Designing and Leading Global Experiential Programs: On-Site and Online

Description: This professional development certificate engages faculty and study abroad professionals in best practices and ethical considerations in developing engaging and experiential short-term programming, on-site and online. 

Through eight online modules, blending synchronous and asynchronous learning, this professional development certificate dives deep into the best practices for faculty-led, short-term study abroad programs and experiential education

Thematic Faculty Seminar

Dates: June 2–9, 2024
Location: New Delhi, Palampur, McLeod Ganj, India
Cost: $3,250 Fee and travel paid by FGCU GEO for 2 selected participants.

Description:The discourse surrounding gender and sexuality within the public health context in India is changing. Participants will be introduced to these alternative narratives from NGO officials, activists, academics, practitioners, and policymakers. Participants will spend time in Delhi and rural Palampur, surrounded by the Dhauladhar range of the Himalaya, with a visit to McLeod Ganj-the abode of His Holiness Dalai Lama.

Skills-Based Faculty Field Seminar

(In Partnership with Dickson College)

Dates: June 9–16, 2024
Location: Yaoundé, Cameroon
Cost: $3,250 – Fee and travel paid by FGCU GEO for 2 selected participants.

Description: Through this seminar in Cameroon, participants will address the concepts of “Decoloniality, Sustainability, and Epistemic Justice.” We will begin to unpack the meaning(s) of these terms in an international education context using Cameroon as a case study and lens for furthering our own understanding. The program will be based in Yaoundé with an overnight excursion within Cameroon. 

GEO Professional Development Award Application

Applicants must submit both a Statement of Motivation and a Project Statement, each with a maximum word count of 250 words.

Award Application

When traveling to international destinations, faculty, staff and students must seek approval by registering their travel in FGCU's Abeona Travel Registry system, see link below. FGCU faculty and staff must seek approval from their individual units and departments when traveling for official FGCU business and follow the procedures as described in the International Travel Policy.  

A travel authorization request should be entered as soon as the travel is known but no later than 45 days before the planned departure per the FGCU International Travel Policy.  To begin, click on the link below and log in with your university email address. 

To access the ABEONA application, please scan the QR code or click on the button below.

For questions related to the FGCU International Travel Policy, please contact Dr. Mike McDonald at (239)590-7925

For questions related to Abeona process or to specific approved travel, please direct inquiries to abeona@fgcu.edu. 

Step-by-step International Travel Approval Process

How long will it take for my international travel to be approved after I enter my authorization request?

• Please allow a minimum of 2 weeks for your approval to be processed once your supervisor has approved your request. This may be longer depending on what information is needed and the destination of travel. 

What are the benefits of the travel registry?

• Emergency Communications: Your travel registration enables the FGCU Global Engagement Office to reach you in the event of an emergency abroad. The travel registry is the University’s official means for sharing urgent health, safety and security-related information.

Who is required to register travel?

• All FGCU faculty, staff and some students traveling abroad for official "Mission Critical" University related business. 

Is this proposed activity considered mission critical (essential)?

Mission Critical Travel includes:

• Travel to participate in, attend, or conduct conferences, workshops, conventions or professional association meetings that advance or pertain to FGCU's mission.
• Travel to conduct scholarly activities, including performances, exhibitions, primary or secondary research on subjects and topics that advance or pertain to FGCU's mission.
• Travel to conduct service activities that advance or pertain to the FGCU mission
• Travel to conduct grant-related activities as allowed by the grant.

 When should I register my travel?

• Travel should be registered at least 45 days prior to departure.
• Travelers should update their registrations as additional information becomes available or if changes occur during travel.
• If your travel plans should change or are canceled for any reason, please update the travel registry. 

How will I know when my request has been approved?

• Look for important updates in your outlook for emails from noreply@abeona.com 
• Your final approval email will come from noreply@abeona.com with an approval statement in the subject line.
• Travelers must have final approval completed before entering a Spend Authorization in workday.

Faculty or Staff Traveling with Students:

If you are traveling with 4 or fewer students please have the students complete their own travel request in the system.

If traveling with a group of students-more than 4 then please follow the steps below

1. BEFORE the faculty or Staff member completes a travel request they must first make sure that all students in the group have created a traveler profile in Abeona.
2. Once all the students in the group have created a profile then the faculty or staff member can complete the Request for International Travel Approval.
3. The faculty or staff member who will be responsible for the trip will select the student names from a list in the registry.
4. Each student must have completed a profile in the International travel system in order for their names to populate in the system.
5. Creating the Spend Authorization in Workday (Traveler must first have the email approval from the FGCU International Registry system)
6. Register your trip in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP).
7. Enroll in the CISI Insurance for International Travel

All FGCU international travelers must enroll in the CISI coverage plan.

Employees and Volunteers traveling on University-Sponsored Travel are

covered by the University’s currently approved international business travel insurance

blanket policy but must enroll their travel for this benefit prior to the trip for incidents

and medical support incurred during International Travel

Please see the Self Enrollment form link that will be in your final travel approval email

Once you enroll, you can create a personal log-in and password to access the full array of resources they offer, the covered benefits for medical care, evacuation, repatriation and medi-vac services, security assistance, etc.  You will receive a confirmation email of your enrollment.  We suggest you print the insurance ID or keep it electronically to use as needed. One of the resources they provide is the list of partner medical facilities and services in your destination who are familiar with CISI.

International Travel: Travel to destinations outside of the fifty (50) United States. Territories of the United States such as: American Samoa, Guam, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Puerto Rico and the United States Virgin Islands are included in this definition of International Travel. 

The following policy was approved by President Martin on November 13, 2020

• FGCU Policy 2.020, International Travel link:  https://www.fgcu.edu/generalcounsel/policies/approved/policy2.020.pdf

All FGCU faculty, staff and students traveling internationally on University Sponsored International Travel are required to be covered by the CISI Travel Abroad Insurance Plan. University Sponsored International Travel is defined as any international academic or business travel taken by faculty, staff, and students, or Volunteers, authorized, funded, coordinated, or administered by the University. Such travel may include, but is not limited to, teaching, research, consulting, co-operative programs, service, administrative work, field studies, volunteer work, performances, athletic contests, and trips abroad in connection with a University-recognized student organization, academic, or administrative unit.

FGCU Faculty and Staff International Travel Insurance Policy: 

Cultural Insurance Services International (CISI) – FGCU Business Travel Policy

CISI Enrollment: 

Faculty & Staff Enrollment form will be provided upon the international travel destination approval.

Students traveling alone may review the CISI website or other insurance providers to see what plan may best fit their needs.

Students traveling with an official FGCU Faculty Led Program will be enrolled in the CISI coverage plan automatically.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) | Country-specific notices for travelers' health needs. These are sortable by destination country, condition (if applicable), and type of travel.

World Health Organization (WHO) | Country-specific health notices and vaccination requirements/recommendations.

Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) | Register with the local U.S. Embassy and get travel alerts.