The role of International Programs (IP) at LSU is to provide and facilitate global activities that lead to learning, discovery, diversity, and engagement in keeping with the spirit of the LSU Flagship Agenda. Complementing Louisiana’s rich history of global commerce, International Programs is the port of connectivity to a world that is becoming increasingly flatter and easier to navigate. We establish and maintain partnerships with international universities and institutions through which we develop opportunities for students and faculty to achieve a higher level of global awareness, competency, and engagement. Four IP units facilitate the mobility of students, faculty, and staff around the world. Academic Programs Abroad provide study abroad experiences for students; International Services and the International Cultural Center serve LSU’s international students, scholars, and faculty; Administration, Development and Outreach establishes the legal framework that enables exchanges of students, faculty, research, and expertise worldwide.
Through its support of all aspects of international education, International Programs contribute to the formation of human capital that makes LSU students, faculty, and staff more globally competent and competitive by:
- Making internationalization an integral part of learning, discovery, diversity, and engagement activities;
- Promoting the involvement of all students in significant international education experiences;
- Creating and maintaining an inviting and stimulating environment for academic and cultural experiences for international students and scholars;
- Facilitating an increase in participation by faculty and professional staff in international activities;
- Assisting academic units in internationalizing their curriculum;
- Promoting and facilitating interdisciplinary collaborative research and scholarship; and
- Enhancing international awareness as part of an appropriate balance in student and faculty engagement.
Academic Programs Abroad
Students participating in Academic Programs Abroad (APA) travel worldwide to study for a summer, semester, or academic year. Students earn credit toward LSU degrees and return to LSU to complete their degree. Study abroad is open to all majors.
Through study abroad, students are immersed in foreign languages and cultures, have access to course work unavailable on the home campus, develop personal independence and global awareness, and enjoy academic and travel opportunities that enrich their general education. Many students find that studying abroad gives them an advantage in the job market and in applying for graduate school. Others discover routes to international careers in business, government, law, the arts, and engineering.
Students select from a variety of options. Many join group programs led by LSU faculty, to locations in Europe, Australia, Latin America, Asia, and Africa. Others participate in exchange and junior year abroad programs, which place students directly in overseas universities where they study alongside natives of the host countries. Others participate in domestic exchanges to over 170 U. S. universities in places such as New York, California, and Hawaii. Some students join programs offered by other U. S. schools or enroll directly at a foreign university.
Summer and intersession programs are open to all students with a 2.5 grade point average or better, regardless of classification. International semester or year-long exchanges are open to students with a 2.75 grade point average or better. Domestic exchanges are open to students who have a 2.5 grade point average or better.
Students receive academic credit for study abroad. In LSU faculty-led programs, students receive regular credit in LSU courses, just as they would on campus. In exchange programs and direct-enrollment programs, students earn the credits at the host institution and transfer them to LSU. Prior approval of course selection is required of all students who desire credit for overseas course work. During the period students are away on exchange, they are concurrently enrolled at LSU. Only students who are enrolled at LSU the semester prior to the semester of study abroad are eligible for concurrent enrollment.
Students scheduled for full-time studies abroad may use TOPS and most LSU and federal financial aid for their programs. Other scholarship opportunities specifically for study abroad are also available.
The best time for students to begin thinking about study abroad is during the freshman year. At this time, students can decide which courses to take abroad and which courses they plan to complete at LSU. They can also prepare for any language or other skills necessary for the overseas experience.
Interested students are urged to contact Academic Programs Abroad, 103 Hatcher Hall, visit our website, email, or call 225-578-6801 for information and an application.
International Services
International Services (IS) provides primarily immigration advisory services to international students regarding their educational, financial, immigration, and personal concerns. Similar services are available to international faculty, staff, and research scholars. International Services is responsible for providing the U.S. student visa documents of F and J nonimmigrant students based on financial and immigration eligibility. This office prepares documentation and processes electronic records necessary for F and J international students to achieve and/or maintain lawful nonimmigrant F and J student status in the U.S. as an LSU student. It provides orientation programs for all new international students and employees. IS is responsible for the University’s federal regulation compliance with the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Immigration and other federal agencies.
All F and J nonimmigrant international students seeking permission to work on or off campus must receive approval from this office through U.S. federal regulations.
The IS assists with the coordination of the university’s international student services and programs with community organizations, faculty, campus and student groups, and governmental and private agencies. At this office, international students may apply for very small, short-term personal emergency loans through the University.
All F and J visa status holders are billed for the mandatory University International Student Service Charge (ISSC) and the LSU Student Health Insurance Plan each semester of registration.
International Cultural Center
The International Cultural Center (ICC) is a cultural and activity center largely funded and governed by international students. Typical ICC programs include social events and excursions, workshops, weekly Yoga and Meditation sessions, music and dance events, live satellite television delivery from around the world, and theater productions. Rentals are also available for short-term and emergency overnight accommodations for newly arrived international students and other international guests on a first-come, first-served basis. The ICC also provides pickup services for new international students at the airport or bus station, as well as assistance when needed in finding housing and obtaining a social security number.
With its computer mini-lab and wireless connection throughout the building, the ICC offers ideal study space until closing time at 10:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
The ICC is also an occasional venue for rental by the general LSU and Baton Rouge community for events related to the ICC’s mission of enabling international students to have a truly multidimensional experience at LSU and to promote international understanding.
Administration, Development and Outreach
Administration, Development and Outreach promotes an international presence for our university through internationally oriented study, research, and projects on campus and abroad, thus enhancing LSU’s excellence through comprehensive internationalization.
Administration, Development and Outreach seeks to bring diversity and global engagement not only to LSU, but also to the citizens of Louisiana, through the strategic marketing of International Programs. It works to enhance communication about international activities at LSU. It is charged with International Programs business related duties including accounting, financial analysis and management, day-to-day operations, sourcing external funding for scholarships and program activities, and promoting initiatives to increase the number of international students attending LSU, as well as the number of LSU students participating in study abroad programs. Moreover, it works to facilitate the globalization of the LSU curriculum.
Administration, Development and Outreach also helps establish international bilateral and multilateral agreements that serve as the vehicle for research, faculty, and student exchanges abroad. It aids in the establishment of strategic international partnerships; these partnerships involve not only student exchange and faculty research, but they also bring government support, funding support, and private sector collaboration. These agreements and strategic partnerships facilitate international engagement by LSU faculty and students, allowing faculty to use their expertise to take up global issues while granting students the opportunity to participate in international activities.
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