Lutgert College of Business
Instructions for International Partner Universities and
Incoming Graduate and Undergraduate International Exchange Students
Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) Lutgert College of Business (LCOB) has established a number of
formal partnerships with universities outside of the U.S. to promote the exchange of graduate and
undergraduate students. Only students from these designated partner schools may apply to participate
in the student exchange program.
Interested students should first contact the international exchange office (sometimes called “Outgoing
Students Office”) of their home institution to determine if they are eligible to participate in this
program. NOTE: Students must apply for a specified period (one or two semesters depending on the
terms of the agreement with the international partner institution). Extensions will not be granted once
the student arrives at FGCU.
APPLICATION DEADLINES
(Completed applications MUST be received by FGCU by:


NEW May
1 for the fall semester (August-December)
October 15 for the spring semester (January-April)
Responsibilities of the international partner university:
 Recommend student applicants to FGCU at least six months prior to the beginning of the semester.
(Send a list of students and include their names, level (undergraduate or graduate), major, age, and
sex as well as their e-mail address).
 Collect the completed required application materials from all their students who are planning to
attend FGCU. Review to ensure the students meet FGCU application requirements, and submit them
as instructed to FGCU by the deadline date.
 FGCU will notify the international partner university with the name(s) of the student(s) who are
accepted. The international partner university will notify the students.
Once admitted to FGCU, the FGCU International office will provide the student(s) with the following
important information:
 DS 2019
 Pre-Arrival Packet (instructions on preparing to arrive in the US and FGCU, important tasks to
complete, mandatory orientations, etc.)
 Health Insurance Requirements.
 Hotel Information (in case the student(s) plans to arrive earlier).
 Emergency Contact Information (including what to do in case of a weather-related emergency).
Updated: February 28, 2017
Step-by-Step Instructions for completing Student Exchange Application Documents
(All of the following items need to be submitted to and approved by the international partner university.
Please read and follow the instructions carefully. It will help avoid delays in the application process.
To apply to FGCU, eligible exchange students must submit the following:
NEW
STEP
Application
1
_____
Incoming undergraduate students need to complete the FGCU International Exchange Student
Application Form.
http://www.fgcu.edu/CoB/cobfiles/FGCU_Intl_Exchange_Student_Application_2017-2018.docx
This is a “fillable” PDF document. It means the student can enter the information directly on the form by
clicking on the areas that need to be completed by using their computer. Doing this will help prevent errors
from trying to interpret the students’ handwriting.
The students will need to:
o Print it
o Sign it
o And, have their home institution also sign the form.
STEP
Financial Support Documentation
2
_____ Please refer to the following link to calculate estimated expenses:
http://www.fgcu.edu/Admissions/Prospective/expenses.html
Financial Support documents required:
Financial Support Verification Letter or Financial Statement must be an original document on the bank or
financial firm letterhead. The document should be dated no more than six months prior to the intended date
of enrollment. Either document can be submitted to satisfy this requirement. ALL FIGURES MUST BE IN U.S.
DOLLARS. Foreign currency figures are not acceptable.
Sample of information to be included in the Financial Statement:
http://www.fgcu.edu/Admissions/Prospective/verificationletter.html
STEP
Letter of Recommendation
3
_____ The International partner university must provide a Letter of Recommendation attesting that the student
meets their academic and code of conduct requirements.
STEP
Proof of Language Proficiency
4
_____ To be accepted by FGCU, students must provide proof of their proficiency in English by the application
deadline as part of their application packet. Students must meet at least a minimum score in one of the
following English proficiency tests.
o TOEFL Computer-based -213 score; Paper-based- 550 score; or Internet-Based 79 score. (This
is the preferred language proficiency test.)
o IELTS Exam Minimum 6.5 score.
Only official results from TOEFL or IELTS will be accepted as proof of language proficiency.
Updated: February 28, 2017
STEP
Academic Transcripts
5
_____ Students must provide a copy of their academic transcripts (in English).
NOTE: FGCU uses this to determine if the student meets the course pre-requisites for the classes they select
to take at FGCU.
STEP
Proof of Immunization
6
_____ This link provides the student with the form that needs to be completed by their doctor or clinic.
http://www.fgcu.edu/studenthealth/immunizations.html Download the immunization Form/Waiver under
the Download Student Forms icon.
The student may sign a waiver if they have not received the Hepatitis B and/or Meningitis Vaccines.
NEW
STEP
Selection of Courses
7
_____ The U.S. Immigration requires that international graduate students be enrolled in 9 credits (3 classes) and
undergraduate students be enrolled in 12 credits (4 classes). FGCU requires that students submit 6 course
options for graduate students and 8 options for undergraduate students that are approved by their home
institution. This gives FGCU flexibility in the event their preferred choices are full or it is determined the
student does not meet the course pre-requisites.
FGCU will waive tuition fees that are equivalent to full-time status for undergraduate and graduate students
as stipulated on the exchange agreement. Exchange students wishing to take more credits than those allowed
by the exchange are responsible to pay out-of-state tuition for credits in excess of the amounts waived.
NOTE: Tuition waivers are applied to the students’ accounts a few days before classes begin.
Exchange students are highly encouraged to take ENC 1102 (which is specifically designed for non-English
speaking students) and will not be permitted to take other foreign language classes while they attend FGCU.
In order to ensure that students meet U.S. Immigration requirements and course requirements, FGCU in
consultation with the partner university will enroll the students in classes.
Incoming exchange students must be at least Junior level and majoring in business.
1. To select appropriate courses
a.
List of Undergraduate Level business course options for the fall/spring
http://www.fgcu.edu/CoB/cobfiles/Spring_and_Fall_Undergrad_Business_and_RHM_Course_Selection_options.xlsx
b.
List of Graduate Level business courses offered to the exchange students.
http://www.fgcu.edu/CoB/cobfiles/Spring_and_Fall_Grad_Course_Selections_options.xlsx
c.
For course description (which include course pre-requisites) go to Course Descriptions on Gulf Line:
http://icarus.fgcu.edu:8080/CourseDescriptions/
d. For class schedules to determine days/times course is offered, go to Course Schedule on Gulfline:
https://gulfline.fgcu.edu/pls/fgpo/szkschd.p_showform
i. Make sure the transcripts you send with your application show that you meet the course prerequisites for the courses you select.
ii. We cannot guarantee that we will enroll you in your specific selections.
2.
Link to FGCU Academic Calendar: http://www.fgcu.edu/Registrar/academiccalendar.asp Select
appropriate semester for semester start and end dates, exam dates, and holidays.
Updated: February 28, 2017
STEP
8
_____
Copy of Passport
Attach a copy of the passport you will be using to attend FGCU.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
STEP
9
____
Payment of Application Fee
The FGCU Application Fee of $30.00USD payment must be received or the application cannot be
Processed. Payment MUST ONLY be made by credit card using the following link.
https://secure.touchnet.com/C20748_ustores/web/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCTID=593&SINGLESTORE=true
STEP
Submit Applications
10
_____ The International Partner University needs to submit completed application packets for all their students to:
Rosemary Meza, Coordinator of Academic Programs
Lutgert College of Business
Florida Gulf Coast University
10501 FGCU Blvd S
Fort Myers, FL 33965-6565
USA
STEP
FGCU Housing
11
Students wishing to stay in FGCU Campus Housing must first receive their acceptance packet from FGCU with
_____
their University ID Number (UIN) and their PIN number.
After they receive the acceptance packet, hey will need to submit an electronic housing application and a
non-refundable $50 housing application fee using a credit card.
To submit an electronic housing agreement:
 Log into Gulfline at http://gulfline.fgcu.edu and Click on the Student and Financial Aid link.
 Click on the Housing Web Portal link. Another window will pop up. Click on Log into the Housing
Portal.
 Another window will pop up asking you if you’d like to close the previous window. Click on “Yes.”
You will be taken to the housing web portal.
 Click on Applications. Then, click on “Submit a Housing Agreement.”
 Follow the steps to complete the agreement.
STEP
Arrival and Orientation
12
Special arrangements are made for all LCOB International Exchange Students for an early check-in and a
_____
special orientation. They will be notified of the dates at the same time they receive their class schedules.



Students need to arrive at FGCU a few days prior to the start of the semester
International Orientation – Attendance is mandatory for ALL new international students.
Lutgert College of Business International Exchange Students Orientation is mandatory for all LCOB
exchange students.
NOTE: Exchange students do not attend the Eagle View Orientation.
You may receive a variety of email correspondence that does not pertain to you as exchange students. If in
doubt, please contact Rosemary Meza at [email protected] or by telephone at 239-590-7301.
Updated: February 28, 2017
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Students will be receiving important information via email from the International Services office
informing them about what they need to know prior to their arrival at FGCU.

What to pack and what documents you need: Airline, Customs, Immigration and TSA’s rules
and regulations? For more details, please refer to the International Services’ Pre-Arrival
Packet that you receive with your DS 2019.

Eagle I Ambassador Program
The Eagle International (better known as Eagle I) Ambassador Program provides international
students with an opportunity to understand and experience American culture through a friendship
with a current FGCU student who is an Eagle I Ambassador. This is a voluntary program. The
international student will receive an email invitation from the International Services’ office to
which they must reply if they are interested in receiving the assistance of an Eagle I Ambassador.
An Eagle I Ambassador will be assigned an international student. They will communicate with the
international student prior to their arrival in Fort Myers and may arrange to pick the student up at
the Southwest Florida International Airport and take the student to their FGCU housing. The Eagle I
Ambassador may also assist the student by taking them shopping for food/beverages, linens, and
anything else the international student may need. Eagle I Ambassadors are students that volunteer
to assist international students, learn about the international student, their country and their home
institution while sharing American customs. For more details, please refer to the attached
Announcement Letter- Ambassador Program.

What you will need the first 24 hours of your arrival in Fort Myers?
o Transportation from the airport to FGCU Campus Housing
o Food and Beverages
o Linens
o Other
Depending on what time your flight arrives at the Southwest Florida International Airport will
determine if you have an opportunity to go shopping for the essential supplies you will need during
the first 24 hours of your arrival.
If you arrive before 12 Midnight
o If you prefer to make your own transportation arrangements, the cab/taxi fare is
approximately $25 (including tip). If several of you are traveling together, you may
wish to split the fee among your group. Depending on how much luggage you may
be bringing 3 persons might fit in one taxi.
o Linens: Single (Twin) size bed sheets, pillow, pillow case, blanket/comforter.
o Eating Utensils: Plate, cup, glass, knife, fork, spoon and bowl.
Updated: February 28, 2017
o Food: You may want to stop at an on-campus of off campus eatery to get something
to eat prior to checking in to your dorm. Or bring bottled water, snacks and fruit to
nourish you until you have an opportunity to go shopping.
If you arrive after 12 Midnight
o An Eagle I Ambassador may not be able to pick you up at the airport, so you might
have to make your own transportation arrangements.
o You are encouraged to bring some of the items listed above with you, as you might
not be able to purchase them, before checking into your campus housing.
We hope you have a safe and enjoyable trip and that your arrival at FGCU is a positive experience!
We look forward to meeting you in person during the LCOB Exchange Student Orientation.
Updated: February 28, 2017