FIT students study abroad more than those at almost any other American college that offers master’s degrees, according to a recent report from the U.S. Department of State.
The Open Doors Report 2025, based on data from the 2023–24 academic year, ranks FIT No. 3 for participation in full-year study-abroad programs among U.S. colleges that offer master’s but not doctoral degrees. That represents a jump from last year’s No. 6 ranking. And FIT ranked sixth for total number of students abroad, with 563 students participating in for-credit travel opportunities. That’s more than any other SUNY institution.
FIT also ranked 10th nationally for both single-semester programs and short-term courses abroad.
FIT students commonly travel to the college’s established programs in Florence and Milan, but the Office of International Programs offers educational experiences across the globe. Recent destinations that students have traveled to include Australia, China, France, India, Japan, Morocco, the Netherlands, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, and the U.K.
“Global engagement is central to the FIT experience,” says Vanessa Nichol-Peters, dean for International Education. “FIT has a clear commitment to experiential learning, and study abroad is an important high-impact practice that prepares students to engage meaningfully with the world—an experience that serves them well in their lives and careers.”
Nichol-Peters adds that studying abroad, and learning essential career skills like adaptability, curiosity, critical thinking, and intercultural competence improves employability.
The Office of International Programs helps students choose an experience among year-long immersion programs, exchanges, traditional semester-abroad programs, short-term winter and summer programs led by FIT faculty, and internships abroad. They also connect students with scholarships to make study abroad accessible to all, and help students prepare for the journey.