Full Sail Stories

From November 17-21, Full Sail University celebrated International Education Week (IEW) to spotlight the university’s diverse community with an array of fun and educational events. IEW is observed at schools across the country, originating from a joint initiative of the US Department of Education and the US Department of State to promote global learning. Full Sail used the week to highlight the community of more than 300 international students both online and on campus, and to cultivate empathy, inclusion, and understanding among students, alumni, staff, and faculty alike.

The week featured many educational workshops, like one led by Robert Santos, an immigration attorney Full Sail’s international department refers students to if they have questions concerning their international student visas. During the virtual workshop, Robert shared guidance and information about immigration laws and the different types of visa options for international students and gave advice for those seeking visas to continue working in the US after graduation.

Attendees also got the chance to hear directly from international students at the International Student Panel featuring six current students from countries including Vietnam, Trinidad and Tobago, and Mexico. The students represented different degree programs like Computer Animation, Entertainment Business, and Music Production, and shared about their experiences applying to Full Sail, as well as what it’s been like to be international students. They highlighted the challenges they’ve faced, such as navigating culture shock and studying in a non-native language. They also spoke about the rewards they’ve reaped as international students, including opportunities they might not have had in their home countries and a boarder network of mentors and peers.

Another enrichment opportunity was the F-1 Student Visa Simulation for staff and faculty. Participants stepped into the shoes of international students looking to study at Full Sail and walked to different stations around the room that represented Admissions, a passport office, a visa office, an English proficiency testing center, a bank, and more. Along the way, they had to figure out each step of their fictional academic journey and get successfully to the end.

“The simulation was for faculty and staff to understand international students better,” said Sandi Foncannon, Full Sail’s International Student Coordinator. “They know that the students are here and that they're here to study, but they don't really know all the challenges they’ve faced just to get here. [I hope they have more] empathy for an international student, just knowing what they had to do to get here.”

Some fun activities during the week were World Travel Trivia, a virtual event where attendees were quizzed on global facts, and the Identity Project, which involved decorating a cutout of a hand with markers and stickers to show off one’s cultural identity and personality. Participants drew music notes, their country’s flag, and more, and displayed them in the Full Sail University Orlando Health Fortress lobby, creating a piece of collaborative art that celebrates the cultures represented on campus.

Another highlight was the Multicultural Festival, where international students created cardboard displays to represent their countries with photos, factoids, and flags, offering attendees the chance to learn about and honor cultures from across the globe. Many students dressed up in traditional clothing from their countries and strutted down the catwalk to show them off in a multicultural fashion show. Attendees enjoyed watching performances of belly dances, Colombian dances, Mexican dances, and a student’s performance of a K-Pop dance medley, which had the crowd going wild.

“The students who participated at their booths walked away with a sense of pride in their culture, and the attendees learned more about international culture around the world,” Sandi said.

During the week, Full Sail also recognized the faculty and staff members who provide academic and emotional support to international students. They shared refreshments, celebrated their contributions, and offered gratitude for everything they do to make students’ lives better.

To wrap up the week of events, Full Sail’s International Student Society hosted a Thanksgiving dinner to celebrate the upcoming US holiday together. There, students got to eat traditional Thanksgiving dishes, spend time with friends, and reflect on what they’re grateful for.

“In our efforts to globalize our campus we need everyone to understand the challenges our international students face in getting here before also overcoming the effects of culture shock, language barriers, and being so far away from home and family,” Sandi shared. “We hope our efforts will continue to influence more engagement in International Education Week year after year.”