Frequently Asked Questions
In today's global business environment, international experience is increasingly important. You need greater international awareness, foreign language skills, and an understanding of different cultures. The inclusion of study abroad programs on your resume is an asset, and FIT's many offerings can prepare you to live and work in a global community.
China, England, France, Italy, Hong Kong, Canada, and Australia are some of the locations where FIT study abroad courses are offered. Whether it's a short study course during the summer months or an entire semester overseas, you will have the opportunity to broaden your design sensibilities, sharpen your business sense, and stimulate new ideas about career choices. The OIP is available to help you explore these possibilities.
Start thinking about studying abroad early in your college career because it requires careful planning. For example, if you are planning to study abroad in your 3rd year, you will need to apply during your 2nd year. If a study abroad course or program is not offered in your major, you may be able to apply credit toward related area courses, liberal arts electives, or free electives which you have not already fulfilled.
In addition to FIT programs, students have a wide choice of opportunities to study abroad through programs offered by the State University of New York (SUNY) or the College Consortium for International Studies (CCIS). Programs and courses must be approved by your department. See the How to Apply page for the instructions on applying to a SUNY/CCIS program.
Check the Study Abroad Calendar regularly for upcoming information sessions.
All students need academic advisement to determine required coursework. You will be instructed to meet with the international advisor or chairperson of your major for advisement. See: Contact Us
It depends on the program and your academic department. You must be in good academic standing and in most cases, a 3.0 is required. Students on academic probation are ineligible and are encouraged to apply once off probation.
Non-FIT students may be eligible to apply for certain summer/winter study abroad courses. However, participation must be approved by the professor teaching the course. Interested parties should contact the instructor for more information about the course. Professor contact information can be found within the Summer and Winter course listings.
In most cases, yes. Financial aid may be available to students that participate in semester and academic year abroad programs, but not usually available for summer or winter abroad programs. The Financial Aid Office reviews requests for financial aid on a case-by-case basis. Please contact Financial Aid to see if you are eligible. Also, see the Paying for Study Abroad for more opportunities.
Information about obtaining, replacing, or renewing a U.S. passport can be found at the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs website.
Visa requirements vary from country to country and are updated on an ongoing basis. If a visa is required for full-time study abroad, the OIP will assist you in this process.
FIT requires all students participating in an FIT International program to have U.S.-based health insurance, plus international insurance including accident, emergency medical evacuation, and repatriation of remains coverage. See: Prepare to Study Abroad
The OIP will add a special permit for you to register at FIT for the semester you will be abroad and a code for you to enter will be provided to you at the time of registration.
Students accepted to study abroad are enrolled at FIT and remain in full-time status during their time abroad. This will enable you to register for the following semester online during the assigned registration period. Pre-registration information is always sent to the students by the Office of the Registrar via the student's FIT email address. In addition, relevant registration announcements and available course schedules are always kept updated on the MyFIT student portal. Business office, medical office, registration or library holds will prevent all students from being able to register for their subsequent semester.