Study Abroad

Through the University’s Office of International Education and Development, all SBI students are encouraged to pursue study abroad opportunities prior to graduation. A semester- or year-long study abroad experience enables students to broaden their horizons by living, studying, and interacting with people from different cultural, political, social, and economic backgrounds.  For more information contact the Office of International Education and Development or your Academic Advisor.

Florida A&M University (FAMU) is one of six institutions selected to receive the 2007 Andrew Heiskell Award for Innovation in International Education from the Institute for International Education (IIE). The FAMU School of Business and Industry (SBI) was honored for its study abroad program at the United Nations in a special ceremony at the 2nd Annual IIE Best Practices Conference.  The FAMU SBI Study Abroad Program was also featured in the spring 2007 issue of the IIE Networker magazine and has been highlighted by IIE as a “best practice” in the field of international education.

 In an announcement issued by the IIE, President Allan E. Goodman said, “We were very impressed with the range and strength of this year’s Heiskell Award-winning programs. The IIE Network member colleges and universities have been tremendously creative and innovative in addressing the challenges of preparing their students to live and work in a global society, and have achieved clear results. We are especially pleased to be able to recognize programs this year that have succeeded in increasing the participation in study abroad by students of diverse backgrounds and in diverse disciplines.”

The Office of International Education and Development is responsible for the oversight of study abroad programs at FAMU. “We’re excited about this award that will put us within worldwide view,” said Dr. Dhyana Ziegler, associate vice president and interim director of the Office of International Education and Development.  “Our unit fully supports and promotes the internationalization of the University by working with its various schools and colleges to broaden their global role.”

The FAMU SBI has enhanced its international education focus and undergraduate business program opportunities through support from the U.S. Department of Education, making study abroad more accessible to a broader student population. Dr. Kenneth R. Gray, eminent scholar and professor of international management in SBI, was principal investigator of the Business and International Education Grant entitled, “Global Opportunities on I-10” or “GO-I-10” which is designed to enhance the globalization of FAMU-SBI.  After his passing, Dr. Nanda Shrestha became the principal investigator of the grant.  The two-year grant has supported a short-term study abroad course in international business to draw in non-traditional students (primarily high school teachers) for educational experiences in the Dominican Republic, a semester-long study abroad experience to allow FAMU students to study in Kenya and China, and an international business summer camp for high school seniors to sharpen their global awareness and recruit them to FAMU.