Study AbroadItaly & Spain - Spring Break 2017 (March 10-19, 2017)

The program participants will travel from March 10th to 19th, 2017 to Italy and Spain. The program will visit Barcelona, Milan, Turin, Florence, and Genoa.

Access to the courses will be online through Blackboard for the Spring term: January 9 to April 22, 2017.

• $3,435.00 Program Fee
• $616.71 Instructional Fee (per class)
• $175.00 Study Abroad Fee (includes international medical insurance)

All students (international/out-of-state and in-state) pay the same course fees. Please note that an initial registration fee of $1,000.00 is due when enrolling.

The registration fee can be paid with any major credit card. We cannot accept checks or money orders. Additionally, the initial registration fee cannot be added to a student's Panthersoft account. The registration fee will be deducted from the program fee.

The program fee includes round-trip international airfare, hotel accommodations (based on double occupancy), ground transportation (as indicated on the itinerary), entry to cultural and business visits, and daily breakfast.

Students will be responsible for any and all personal and/or additional expenses including (but not exclusive to), travel visas, passport fees, currency exchange fees, internet fees, faxes, phone, lodging incidentals (i.e. room service) or extensions, meals not covered in the program, appropriate tips, vaccinations/inoculations, and any other voluntary tours or excursions not covered in the program. Gratuities are not included and will be collected at the start of the program. Information about gratuities will be provided during one of the on-campus meetings.

To participate in this study abroad program, students must meet the following eligibility requirements:

1. Non-business students may participate. Speak with your academic advisor to see if the classes offered will count as upper level electives.
2. Business students must already be admitted to the College of Business.
3. Students must meet with their advisor to predetermine advisor course approval.
4. Professional BBA Students should consult with the Professional BBA office before applying.

Students are required to enroll in one of the mandatory courses listed below:

• MAR 4933 – Special Topics in Marketing
• MAR 4907 – Independent Study in Marketing

 Students may choose one additional course:

• MAR 4156 – International Marketing*
• MAR 4804 – Marketing Strategy
• MAR 4144 – Export Marketing*
• MAR 4231 – Retail Marketing*
• MAR 4232 – Current Issues in Retail Marketing*
• TRA 4012 – Transp. & Logistic Princ Transport
• TRA 4203 – Principles of Logistics*
• TRA 4214 – Logistics Strategy*
• TRA 4721 – Global Logistics* 

* Optional courses can be applied toward the Export-Import and Supply Chain Management Certificate or Retail Marketing and Management Certificate

Coursework is partially online and count as regular Spring 2017 term classes (January 9 to April 22, 2017).

Financial Aid is available for this study abroad program. Students who wish to use financial aid (grants, scholarships, loans, etc) to help cover the cost of this program must speak with Financial Aid (305-348-7272) to discuss their individual needs.

While we do our utmost to accommodate students with financial aid, please be aware that it is the student’s responsibility for paying the balance of this program by the due dates. In the event the disbursement date of the financial aid funds occurs after our due date, students will be responsible for paying the balance out of their own pocket by such time.

For questions regarding your study abroad application, please contact Global Initiatives within the College of Business at (305) 348-1740 or by e-mail studyabroadbiz@fiu.edu.

For any questions regarding academics of this program, please contact the program directors for this program:

Professor Elisabeth Beristain
Department of Marketing
E-mail: Elisabeth.Beristain@fiu.edu
Phone: (305) 348-2791

Professor Ron Mesia
Department of Marketing
E-mail: rmesia@fiu.edu
Phone: (305) 348-1663

Professor Tim Birrittella
Department of Marketing
E-mail: Tim.Birrittella@fiu.edu
Phone: (305) 348-2571

Please be mindful of the due dates listed below. Failure to turn in the requested documents by the due date may result in removal from the program and forfeiture of all monies paid. Our office will not make any exceptions to any student. Students must adhere to these dates in order to successfully participate in this program.

Cancellations received by November 30, 2016will be eligible to receive a refund, less a $100 dollar processing fee. Written notice of cancellation is required. We regret that cancellations received after November 30, 2016will not be eligible for refunds due to financial commitments to various vendors.

Students enrolled in this program will be required to attend three on campus meetings prior to the departure of the trip. Attendance is mandatory. Students who cannot attend must e-mail the professor and COB Study Abroad in advance and will be required to obtain any missed information. Parents and spouses are always welcome to attend these meetings, but please know these meetings will mainly discuss the course curriculum.

1. January (date to be determined) from 1:30PM to 5:00PM
2. February (date to be determined) from 1:30PM to 5:00PM
3. February (date to be determined)

College of Business Study Abroad Need-Baased Scholarship

This $500 scholarship is available for up to two students that meet the following requirements:

• Minimum 3.3 GPA
• Admitted to the College of Business
• Enrolled in this study abroad program
• Must demonstrate the need for financial assistance (must be FAFSA aid recipient)
• Adherence to the rules of the program, timely submission of assignments and conduct both on campus and abroad

To apply for this scholarship, please fill out the Application Form and submit it to Global Initiatives within the College of Business along with a 1-page proposal on why you want to study abroad (Deadline: February 10th, 2017). Scholarships will be awarded shortly after the end of the program.

College of Business Study Abroad Need-Based* Scholarship (2)

This $750 scholarship is available for up to two students that meet the following requirements:

• Minimum 3.7 GPA
• Admitted to the College of Business
• Enrolled in this study abroad program
• Must demonstrate the need for financial assistance (must be FAFSA aid recipient)
• Adherence to the rules of the program, timely submission of assignments and conduct both on campus and abroad.

To apply for this scholarship, please fill out the Application Form and submit it to asakhleh@fiu.edu along with a 1-page proposal on why you want to study abroad (Deadline: February 10th, 2017). Scholarships will be awarded shortly after the end of the program.

Please check with the FIU Office of Study Abroad for additional scholarships. Click here to be directed to the OSA webpage.

All students are responsible for verifying if they require a visa for travel or not. Students are responsible for applying for a travel visa and paying all necessary fees. When applying for a visa, please apply for a tourist visa. Our office will provide the student with any necessary documentation needed when applying, such as a letter of enrollment verification, an official itinerary, or a copy of their airfare/hotel reservation.

These documents should be requested one week in advance from our office. These documents can only be processed once the student has provided us with a copy of their valid passport, and a copy of their student visa/green card (if applicable). Students are urged not to wait until the last moment to apply for their visa.

To enroll into this study abroad program, please complete the online application by clicking the "Enroll Now" button below. You will be required to make an initial registration fee of $1,000.00 with any major credit card. The remaining balance will be added to your Panthersoft account once you have been enrolled in the courses.

In addition to the online application, students must upload the following documents to the Office of Study Abroad’s Studio Abroad application by the due date listed above:

1. Color copy of valid passport
2. Color copy of Visa/U.S. Residency card (if applicable)
3. The Medical Information Form

The application is not considered complete until these documents have been received. We cannot receive fax copies of these documents.