Exchange & Partnership Programs

Understanding Program Types

There are several different types of semester and summer study abroad programs, as described below. Essentially, the differences between these program types have to do with billing and application processes. Regardless of which program type you pursue, the courses will transfer back towards your FSU degree program and you'll be able to apply your financial aid towards the cost of your studies abroad. 

University Exchange Programs

When you study abroad at one of FSU's University Exchange Partners, you will continue to pay your normal tuition and fees to FSU, just as if you were here on campus. These are among the most cost-effective and culturally-immersive study abroad opportunities available to you! At most sites, you will pay housing fees directly to your host institution (and those housing fees are usually somewhat less than our housing costs in Massachusetts). Every semester, various FSU students study abroad at one of our Exchange Partner schools. Likewise, Framingham State regularly welcomes international students who come from these overseas universities to complete their own studies abroad in the United States. 

FSU is pleased to offer study abroad opportunities through the following Exchange Programs. At each of these institutions, a wide range of academic courses are available so students from any major could go to any one of these exciting destinations! Students will apply for these schools through the FSU Office of International Programs, and the application deadlines are typically in mid-October for Spring semester, or mid-April for Fall semester. Some summer courses are available through these schools as well. 

  • Study in England at the University of East Anglia
    • UEA is in the historic city of Norwich, a great student city that combines history, culture, and progressive thought. Located less than 2 hours' train ride northeast of London, UEA has easy access to public transportation so traveling around the UK is a breeze!
    • Students live on-campus in apartments with single-bedrooms and shared kitchens and bathrooms. You'll be able to cook your own meals and can choose to purchase meals at one of the various on-campus dining options. 
  • Study in Hong Kong, China at Lingnan University 
    • Lingnan is an English language university in cosmopolitan Hong Kong which welcomes students from across China and around the world. This is a great location for any students interested in East Asia. The campus is in a safe residential area, close to extensive public transportation, leafy public parks, museums, Chinese and international restaurants, and nightlife. It’s also a few minutes’ drive away from sandy beaches on the South China Sea.
    • English is the language of instruction for most courses, and virtually all students and faculty at the university are proficient in English. It will be possible, however, to take Mandarin Chinese language courses at Lingnan and students with an interest in language learning will have ample opportunity to practice and develop their Chinese language skills. 
    • Students live in an on-campus residence hall with a local student roommate (who has typically volunteered to live with an international student like you as a way to befriend someone from another part of the world). Like FSU, there is a cafeteria on-campus where you can purchase regular meals. 
  • Study in Ecuador at Universidad de Las Américas
    • Nestled among the Andes mountains in the Ecuadorian capital city of Quito, UdLA is a great option for any students with an interest in Latin America, especially those seeking to develop proficiency in the Spanish language. UdLA offers various courses that are taught in English for international students, and you'll have access to their full curriculum of courses delivered in Spanish alongside local students.
    • You could take all your classes in Spanish or a combination of classes taught in Spanish and English.
    • Students live alongside local and international students in residence halls near the campus. Homestays with local Ecuadorian families are also available. 

Partnership Programs

FSU's Partnership Programs encompass various overseas institutes and universities that are not covered by our University Exchanges noted above. When you study abroad through one of our Partnership Programs, you will apply for admission directly to them and pay them directly for all tuition, fees, and housing. It is still necessary, however, to meet with the FSU Office of International Programs before you begin the application process, as we will need to certify your application. Sometimes, these programs actually end up costing less than the price of tuition and housing on-campus in Framingham. You will not pay anything to FSU while you are away on a Partnership Program (though you continue to be enrolled as an FSU student and will continue to have access to FSU academic and personal support services). 

FSU maintains partnerships with various institutions located around the world. Be sure to review our Program Choices page for listing of different possibilities. The following are some examples of where FSU students frequently go:

 

Study Abroad Provider Organizations

Many students choose to study abroad through a Provider Organization which manages your study abroad experience, usually in partnership with a university in your host country. Based here in the United States, your Study Abroad Provider will handle your application, meal plan, housing arrangements, course placement, and other logistical essentials of your international education experience. Most providers include in-country insurance and group excursions as well.

As with the aforementioned Partnership Programs, when you go abroad with a Study Abroad Provider you will apply for admission directly to that organization after having consulted with the FSU Office of International Programs. You will also pay the provider directly for all tuition and fees. You continue to be enrolled as an FSU student and will continue to have access to FSU academic and personal support services. 

The following are several high-quality Study Abroad Providers that have regularly welcomed students from Framingham State University on their programs overseas. All of these organizations deliver multiple programs in different places around the world. Besides just Fall or Spring semester, many of these organizations also administer shorter-term programs during the summer and winter sessions. You may find that the cost of their tuition and fees will vary greatly from location-to-location, but that they also may offer program-specific scholarships to help defer those varied prices. 

Yes, as you can see, nearly all study abroad providers go by their acronyms or initials. This is just an interesting reality of the field of education abroad!