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FSU Panama 2+2
A scholarship program builds a bridge to facilitate an easier transfer process for FSU Panama students
The distance from Florida State University’s Republic of Panama campus to the Tallahassee campus is approximately 1,500 miles, a daunting trip no matter what travel method is used to make the trek. College students who are citizens of a Latin American or Caribbean country can ease their journey, however, with the institutions’ 2+2 Scholarship Program.
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Through a joint effort between administrators at both locations, qualified students are eligible to complete two years of undergraduate studies at Panama’s main campus, transfer to FSU’s main campus, and finish earning their degree in the U.S., paying in-state tuition. Students also receive a $500 stipend each semester of enrollment. The savings for students in the program can be around $15,000 in tuition.
The 2+2 program began in January of 2001, and since that time 887 students have transferred with the program. Alexandra Anyfanti, Panama’s vice rector for academic affairs, says that the number of transfers has risen steadily over the past decade or so.
“It has been increasing over the years, from 29 in 2007-2008 to 108 in 2017-2018, the biggest number so far,” she says.
Carlos Langoni, rector of the Republic of Panama campus, and Anyfanti answered these other questions for Nomadic Noles.
Photo courtesy of FSU Panama
Which countries do most of the participants come from?
Ninety-eight are from Panama, 38 Venezuela, 12 Colombia. The list also includes students from Nicaragua, Ecuador, El Salvador, Honduras, Cuba, Argentina, Bahamas, the Dutch Antilles, Uruguay, Peru, Dominican Republic, and Brazil.
Has there been an uptick (or drop) in the number of students from Venezuela in recent years? If so, can you comment on whether (and how) that is related to the current political situation there?
Yes, the number of students from Venezuela reached its peak about three or four years ago and since has been declining slightly. I assume it’s because most who can afford to leave Venezuela have already done so. Of course the migration of families is 100% related to the political situation. We have observed two categories of students: one group whose entire family left Venezuela to seek opportunities in Panama. In the other group, at least one family member stayed behind because they still have businesses that can still operate.
Are certain majors more popular for students in the program? If so, what are they and why?
Traditionally, the programs in the College of Business have been the top preferences of the students from Latin America, followed closely by programs in engineering. Lately, there has been a increase also in the programs offered by Arts and Sciences such as biology, psychology, and Computer science. The order of preference is usually like this: business (finance is top choice), engineering (industrial mostly, but also mechanical and chemical), arts and sciences (biology, psychology and computer science), social sciences (economics and international affairs). This year we had the first 2+2 student transferring from our campus to the main campus in the College of Motion Picture Arts, a highly selective academic area that admits between 15-20 students every year.
Photo courtesy of FSU Panama
What does your campus do to help students with the cultural transition?
After two years at FSU Panama, students become very familiar with the university system, curriculum, courses, etc. Most of them transfer as a junior, having completed the pre-requisites for their intended majors and the requirements for the AA certificate. Some already have friendships when they transfer, so they may even share apartments, which helps minimize the cultural changes.
We have also seen a trend among our students to visit the main campus before their actual transfer semester, so they get to know their way around the campus and the city of Tallahassee. Our campus has also started to offer Transfer Tips presentations which provide information on how to be involved, how to make the most of their main campus experience, and what resources they can use. A recently completed doctoral dissertation on this student population revealed that the classroom culture at the main campus is the most notable change they experience as they change locations, and not so much the overall cultural differences between Latin American and the U.S.
Photo courtesy of FSU Panama
A student organization at the main campus called PTY at FSU is composed of students that transferred from the Panama campus to the main campus and the help with the adjustment to the new location. Overall, since they spend two years at the small international campus they create connections among themselves that they rely on when they transfer to the main campus. So, although directly we may not prepare them for the cultural changes, yet the small campus enables the connections that “cushion” their transition experience once they transfer.
What are the language proficiency requirements for the program? The GPA requirements?
The students have proven English proficiency upon entering FSU Panama, so by the time they transfer to the main campus they do not have to take any other language tests. The conditions of the 2+2 are as follows:
— Students must have been admitted as degree-seeking hours at FSU Panama.
— Students must complete 60 credit shours at the Panama campus (transfer or accelerated credits do not count toward the 60).
— Students must complete the General Education requirements.
— They must have a 3.0 cumulative GPA upon transferring and must maintain it in order to receive the 2+2 benefits.
The scholarship is effective for a total of six (6) semesters of enrollment at the main campus, and it can be extended to seven (7). We review their eligibility every semester of enrollment. Although we have not done an exhaustive data collection on their performance, based on our eligibility reviews every semester, easily 90% of those students maintain the conditions of the scholarship until graduation, stay at the university, and graduate on time.
Do you know where most of the students go after they graduate from FSU?
The majority return to their home country, a few may find a work opportunity in the U.S., and others may go on to graduate school.
Daniel Goldoni: Q&A with 2+2 student
Daniel Goldoni, back line center, with his FSU Panama soccer team.
Daniel Goldoni, who grew up in Panama City, Republic of Panama, is a beneficiary of the 2+2 program. He came to FSU’s main campus in the spring of 2019 after finishing his two years in Panama.
Participating in the program, Goldoni says, “was mostly an economic decision, because by having 3.0 GPA or above we are considered as in-state students when paying tuition.
“But also it gave me the chance to stay few years at home before coming to college (the real deal),” he adds. “I think spending two years in Panama before coming [to Tallahassee] helped me mature both as a person and as a student.”
Goldoni, who is 20 years old, focused on classes in Panama that helped him advance until he reached the main campus, where he could jump into his and career-related courses. In Panama he took calculus, chemistry, and English classes; now he is embracing his actuarial sciences major head on with upper level courses such as Introduction to Programming, Long-term Actuarial Math, and Risk Management and Insurance.
Goldoni answered other questions via email, and his responses are below.
What semester did you begin your studies at FSU Republic of Panama (RoP)?
In Panama we have a different schedule, so I graduated [from high school] in the fall of 2016 and started studying at FSU (RoP) the next semester, which was Spring 2017. I transferred and started studying at the main campus in spring 2019.
Where did you live in your first semester on the Tallahassee campus?
I live in a student complex called The Venetian Student Living.
Please describe your transition from the RoP campus to the Tallahassee campus (and to the city of Tallahassee). What was easy, and why? What was challenging, and why?
At first, those two years in Panama felt slow, but when I arrived here I noticed how fast it went. It was easier in the Republic of Panama because [I knew] the majority of the students in the class. I’d also say the transition from my Panama home to my new one at The Venetian. The reason I consider it was easy is because I have been together with two of my roommates since primary school. It was a coincidence that we ended up in the same university.
But that aside, everything was kind of a challenge. For instance, transportation, I knew it was going to be different because I was not going to have a car as I did in Panama, and now I have to be checking for the bus not to leave me or I can be late for classes. On the other side, I had to make new friends and start thinking of future connections as my Dad would say. But out of everything, for me (I am a family person), the most challenging thing was to be far from my parents. Not having their hugs and advice in walking distance cause in me a mild level of stress additional to the classes.
Do you feel that FSU RoP prepared you well enough for the Tallahassee campus? Please explain.
I would like to say yes to some extent, but honestly not quite enough. And I do not think this is FSU (RoP) fault because of the huge difference it is here and back there. Why? Because FSU (RoP) is just one building that can not be compared to this big and beautiful place. In terms of classes, I would say the tough ones like calculus or chemistry did prepare me, but for the other classes I did not feel they prepared me as much. The main reason I think this, is because over there is a different environment (having in mind it is just one building with four floors) so you will most likely know the majority of the people in your classes, which is definitely not the case here at Tallahassee, and that tends to help a lot in studying and practicing for exams or doing homework.
Please describe your level of proficiency with English before coming to Tallahassee. Was it adequate?
I do feel it was adequate when I arrived, but to be honest I did feel a little bit of discomfort due to the fact that besides the classes, I was usually talking Spanish. Because of this I was not sure how fluent my English would be. But by being here (spring and summer) not only meeting new people but also by talking with professors I felt my English improved a LOT.
When do you think you will graduate, and what are your plans after that? Will you look for a job in the U.S.? Return to Panama? Or go somewhere new?
I am planning on graduating in Spring 2021. After that, I hope to work with my uncle and mentor at Florida Blue for a few years. Then [I will try] someplace new [before] going back to the Republic of Panama.
