International Programs

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Associate Vice President, International Programs

Harry L. Norman, Ph.D.

Office/Department Websites

University Hall 244
fullerton.edu/international
fullerton.edu/studyabroad
fullerton.edu/world
internationaladmissions.fullerton.edu/

Director

Lay Tuan Tan

International Student Advisers

Jean Hotta
Amber Nakamura

Study Abroad Adviser

Kathryn Morrissey

Recruitment/Retention

Kim Koenigsberger
Larisa Brener
Amy Dam
Lauren Johnson

Introduction

“We are a comprehensive, regional University with a global outlook.”  - Preface, University Mission Statement

To implement this mission statement, California State University Fullerton (CSUF) encourages and supports off-campus international educational programs as well as welcomes the on-campus participation of international visitors, scholars, and students as valid, desired, and increasingly important aspects of our mission. The University encourages its constituent departments, programs, and support units to plan and provide opportunities that meet the academic and professional needs of students, faculty and staff.

The Office of International Programs coordinates this commitment to internationalization. Specifically, the associate vice president for International Programs is responsible for overseeing and encouraging the internationalization of the curriculum. Toward this end, contacts are initiated with partner institutions throughout the world to foster cooperative programs and the exchange of faculty and students.

Faculty who are interested in exchange programs or in developing partnerships abroad should consult fullerton.edu/world and click on the “International Partnerships” tab.

International Students

California State University, Fullerton is a community of people from many nations and cultures. The Office of International Programs is dedicated to promoting the exchange of knowledge and experience within the multicultural campus community and with the world at large. The office provides information and assistance for international students admitted to CSUF in both undergraduate and graduate degree programs and for U.S. students planning to study abroad.

Incoming students from other nations must work through the University’s Office of Admissions and Records if applying for a degree program. Students may also gain entry by working with the American Language Program. Please review the applicable Catalog sections about these offices under the heading Admission Requirements. For more information, please check also: internationaladmissions.fullerton.edu/

Approximately 1,300 students from about 80 countries study at CSUF as international students admitted into degree programs. The staff of the Office of International Programs endeavors to provide them with the best possible academic and personal experience. The office provides visa eligibility documents, pre-arrival information, and orientation to newly admitted students. The door is always open for students to meet with an adviser to discuss academic concerns, cultural adjustment, immigration matters or just to chat.

Leadership development and community involvement are the focus of our student activities. The International Friendship Council provides home visits and cultural activities with local families. Information on international student profiles, programs and activities is available at fullerton.edu/international.

Studey Abroad Opportunities for U.S. Students

Today’s university students face exciting new opportunities and challenges as they enter the 21st century. A study experience in another country is the ideal way to prepare students for the demands of a global economy and to enhance their potential for success in a multicultural working and living environment. A semester or year abroad can provide an invaluable educational experience. The life-changing experience abroad enables students to see things from another point of view, which helps them develop analytical and critical thinking skills, cultural awareness, enhanced language skills, an understanding of oneself and the world around us, as well as an in-depth knowledge of one’s field of study from an international perspective. Career-wise, study abroad participants return from their experience with qualifications that distinguish their background from others. A well-planned program offers career advantages with the increasingly multinational and multicultural organizations and communities of Southern California.

Cal State Fullerton offers a variety of study abroad options:

• International Programs (“IP”) is the system-wide study abroad program of the California State University
• Cal State Fullerton International Exchange through bilateral agreements with partner institutions from around the world
• Faculty-led Study Abroad Programs
• Independent Study Abroad

The Office of International Programs, located in University Hall 244, is where students can go for information and advisement on study abroad and take advantage of the study abroad resource library, as well as Internet resources. Students are advised to start the planning process for their study abroad experience as early as possible. Careful planning will result in selection of the best program for the student and minimize any potential difficulties with transfer credit or financial aid. Please call 657-278-2787 to schedule an appointment with the study abroad adviser or sign up for information sessions, or visit fullerton.edu/studyabroad.

The California State University International Programs

Developing intercultural communication skills and international understanding among its students is a vital mission of the California State University (CSU). Since its inception in 1963, the CSU International Programs has contributed to this effort by providing qualified students an affordable opportunity to continue their studies abroad for a full academic year. More than 20,000 CSU students have taken advantage of this unique study option.

The California State University International Programs (“IP”) is an academic year program that serves the needs of students in over 100 designated academic majors. Affiliated with more than 50 recognized universities and institutions of higher education with centers in 18 countries, IP also offers a wide selection of study locales and learning environments. IP participants remain enrolled at CSUF, earn residential credit, and pay an IP participant fee and home campus fees. All personal expenses are the student’s responsibility.

IP participants earn resident academic credit at their CSU campuses while they pursue full-time study at a host university or special study center abroad.

International Programs pays all tuition and administrative costs for participating California resident students to a similar extent that such funds would be expended to support similar costs in California. Participants are responsible for all CSU tuition and program fees, personal costs, such as transportation, room and board and living expenses. Financial aid, with the exception of Federal Work-Study, is available to qualified students.

The CSUF Office of International Programs works closely with the Office of Financial Aid to maximize students’ financial opportunities.

To qualify for admission to the International Programs, in most programs, students must have upper-division or graduate standing at a CSU campus by the time of departure. Students at the sophomore level may, however, participate in the intensive language acquisition programs in Canada, China, France, Germany, Korea, Mexico, Sweden and Taiwan. California community colleges transfer students are eligible to apply directly from their community colleges. Students must also possess a current cumulative grade point average of 2.75 or 3.0, depending on the program for which they apply. Some programs also have language study and/or other coursework prerequisites.

Additional information and application materials may be obtained on campus at the Office of International Programs, University Hall 244, or writing to the CSU International Programs, 401 Golden Shore, 6th Floor, Long Beach, California 90802-4210. Visit us on the Internet at calstate.edu/ip

The following is a list of countries with international programs administered by the CSU for study abroad opportunities in an academic year program:

International Programs

Australia
Canada
Chile
China
Denmark
France
Germany
Ghana
Israel
Italy
Japan
Korea
Mexico
New Zealand
South Africa
Spain
Sweden
Taiwan
United Kingdom

CSUF Exchange Programs

Cal State Fullerton has direct institutional exchange/study abroad programs with several universities. These programs allow for the exchange of faculty and students for the purposes of teaching, study, research, and for the promotion of intercultural understanding and cooperation.

The cost of participation varies from country to country, but in general, students pay their own Cal State Fullerton fees, housing, meals, transportation and incidental expenses. Often, costs are comparable to studying at Cal State Fullerton while living in a nearby apartment. Study abroad costs are kept as low as possible, and students who qualify for financial aid may apply it to their exchange program costs. No overseas tuition is charged; students pay regular CSUF campus fees, plus international transportation, living and related expenses. Semester and summer programs are available.

Academic advising before departure is essential. Before going abroad, the student and an academic adviser will complete an Academic Advisement Form to identify the Cal State Fullerton credit that will be awarded after completing the study abroad program. Students who plan ahead and work closely with their academic advisers usually get full credit for the classes they take abroad.

Admission requirements and application deadlines vary depending on the program. Application forms and further information are available in the Office of International Programs, University Hall 244 or fullerton.edu/studyabroad for further information. Cal State Fullerton students should consult with their departmental or collegelevel program advisers for information about specific universities with whom we have exchange partnerships and/or special summer or short term study abroad experiences.

The following is a list of exchange/study abroad programs through bilateral exchange agreements between CSUF and partner institutions in the following countries:

Exchange Programs

Finland
France
Germany
Japan
Mexico
New Zealand
South Korea
Switzerland
United Kingdom

Faculty-Led Study Abroad Programs

China

Business Study in China

Cost Rica

Coronado, Humanities Summer Program

France

Paris, Humanities Winter Program

Hungary

Budapest, Humanities Summer Program

Ireland

Dublin, Humanities Summer Program

Italy

Florence, Communications Summer Program
Florence, Humanities Summer Program

South Africa

Port Elizabeth, Humanities Summer Program

Spain

Salamanca, Humanities Summer Program

United Kingdom

London, Humanities Semester Program

Other

Business European Study Tour (BEST)

Some scholarships are available through the college that offers these programs. Information is available at the college websites.

Independent Study Abroad

If none of the aforementioned programs meet a student’s needs, another option may be to participate in a program run by a private organization or another university. There are literally thousands of such programs. Reference materials and Web directories about such opportunities are kept in the Office of International Programs, University Hall 244. Academic credit transfer and financial aid can be arranged in advance through completion of a Non-CSUF Study Abroad Program Application which is available at: fullerton.edu/studyabroad

International Agreements

Cal State Fullerton also fosters a global outlook by establishing and maintaining official relationships with universities abroad. A growing list includes more than 100 institutional-level agreements as of fall 2012, a number that continues to grow. Some relationships between our University and non-U.S. institutions feature reciprocal short-term faculty exchanges; the exchange of lecturers, delegations, cultural groups, and artists. Other agreements between our University and non-U.S. institutions facilitate the enrollment of students from abroad who wish to take short courses, study for a degree, or undertake research with the guidance and direction of our faculty.

Cal State Fullerton’s oldest institutional relationship, begun in 1984, is with Fudan University in Shanghai, China. In June, a CSUF delegation is hosted by Fudan University; CSUF welcomes professors from Fudan University each year.

International Agreements

Cal State Fullerton has signed international agreements with universities abroad in the following countries:

Argentina
Australia
Bhutan
Cambodia
China
Ecuador
Egypt
Finland
France
Germany
Japan
Korea
Lithuania
Mexico
New Zealand
Poland
Russia
South Africa
Switzerland
Taiwan
Thailand
United Kingdom
Vietnam

A list of active agreements with partner institutions from the above countries is available upon request by contacting the Office of International Programs at 657-278-2787, University Hall 244 or on fullerton.edu/world (click “International Partners”).

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