Incoming Student Exchange
Welcome to the University of Florida and the College of Journalism and Communications!
Our College invites students from partner institutions to study communication-related industries (advertising, journalism, media management, production, public relations, etc.) at the University of Florida for a semester or an academic year. In collaboration with the UF International Center (UFIC), we strive to integrate incoming exchange students into our college community, offering enriching experiences that will enhance their personal, academic, and professional growth. We are confident that your time at UF will be among the most enjoyable and rewarding experiences of your life.
Listed below are various resources to enhance your time at UF, CJC, and Gainesville, more broadly. Please do not hesitate to reach out for further information.
Resources
- About College of Journalism and Communications
- About UF
- Virtual Campus Tour
- CJC Virtual Tour
- Important Dates
- Cost of Attendance
- About Gainesville (non-UF organization and external weblink)
- Visit Gainesville (non-UF organization and external weblink)
Application
Students are eligible to apply for the UF CJC Exchange Program if they attend a partner institution and receive a nomination from their home university.
The international office at the home university should send nominations directly through the UF International Center (UF IC).
Nominated students should complete the online UF IC exchange application by the posted deadlines. Course registration cannot begin until all application documents have been submitted and all university holds have been removed.
Academics
- UF IC Enrollment Requirements
- UF Academic Calendar
- Courses Offered
- Schedule of Courses (all UF courses)
This page contains all courses offered by the University of Florida, many of which may not be available to undergraduate CJC students. Specific course schedules for incoming exchange students are released in April (Fall and Summer semesters) and October (Spring semester).
- Schedule of Courses (all UF courses)
- Credit Hours
- Undergraduate exchange students must take a minimum of 12 credit hours. The maximum is 18 credit hours. The average course load at UF is 12-16 credit hours. Credit hours represent the number of hours spent in class each week. Students should expect to spend an average of 1-2 hours outside the classroom for every credit hour enrolled.
- Recommended Undergraduate Student Schedule
- 3 credits: CJC Core course
- 3 credits: CJC Elective #1
- 3 credits: CJC Elective #2
- 3-4 credits: Elective taught by other UF colleges
- Course Registration
- Students will submit a Course Request List to UFIC Amila Tica in their UF Exchange Application. Courses will then be approved by CJC Academic Advisors.
Orientation
Students are required to attend both the CJC and UFIC Orientations. They should thus arrive a few days before the term begins as their visa permits. They will use the time to finalize housing, take care of technology and administrative needs, become familiar with the UF campus, and attend mandatory orientations. Find visa requirements at: the U.S. Department of State and U.S. Dept. of State Visa Wizard.
Students are required to check in with the UF International Center as soon as they arrive in Gainesville so that visa requirements can be verified.
Students should verify housing check-in dates with their housing provider.
CJC Undergraduate Exchange Orientation (Fall 2025)
TBDay, August TBD, 2025, TBD a.m. – TBD p.m.
Weimer Hall, Room TBD
UF International Center (UFIC) Orientation
Please refer to the UF International Center website and communications for specific dates and times for the UFIC Orientation.
Note: Students must attend both orientations. Any student who misses an orientation without any prior arrangement will be withdrawn from their academic courses. If special circumstances prevent attendance at the mandatory orientations, students should seek permission for late arrival from Dr. Cloe Zeidan (czeidan@ufl.edu). Students may be permitted to arrive after the orientation in certain instances. Students will not be allowed to arrive after the first week of classes under any circumstances.
Housing
UF Housing allots a certain number of dorms to Exchange Students each term, which are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. UFIC works with UF Housing to facilitate this process.
The Office of Off-Campus Life also assists students with finding off-campus housing.
Health & Safety Services
- UFIC Health Insurance Plans
- UF Student Health Care Center
- UF Health Shands Emergency Room/Trauma Center: If you have an emergency, please call 911, consult your doctor, or go directly to the emergency room.
- Address: 1515 SW Archer Road, Gainesville, Florida 32608
- Hours of Operation: 24 hours a day
- University Police: The University Police Department Patrol Division is located in the station building at the corner of Museum Road and Newell Drive
- Address: 1555 Museum Road, Gainesville, FL 32611-2150
- Hours of Operation: 24 hours a day
- Non-emergency dispatch: 352.392.1111
- Emergency: 911
- UF Safety Communications and Resources: Receive emergency notifications, timely warnings, and campus safety methods: GATORSAFE Mobile App, Blue Light Phones, SNAP Rides, Title IX Information
- Hurricane Preparedness
- CJC Safety
Meals & Dining
Transportation
- Arriving in Gainesville
- Buses
- Campus Connector (UF, campus)
- RTS Bus Service (UF, local)
- RedCoach (state, some national)
- Megabus (national)
- On campus late at night?: SNAP
Getting Connected
- UF Events Calendar
- CJC Events Calendar
- International Center Events
- UF Exchange Student Facebook
- CJC Undergraduate Student Clubs & Organizations
- Global Gathering
In the third week of the semester, the College holds an event to welcome incoming international students.
The UF Navigators pair incoming exchange students with UF students and organize several trips outside of Gainesville, including a weekend in Orlando to visit theme parks, a trip to the beach, and other weekend events.
Explore
- Explore Outdoors (on and off campus)
- Adventure Indoors (on and off campus)
- UF Sporting Events
- UF Performing Arts
Contacts
CJC Department Contacts
- Dr. Huan Chen, Chair of Advertising
- Prof. Harrison Hove, Chair of Journalism
- Dr. Roxane Coche, Chair of Media Production, Management, and Technology
- Dr. Myiah Hutchens, Chair of Public Relations
- Dr. Marcia DiStaso, Associate Dean of Research
- Dr. Cloe Zeidan, International Research Coordinator
- Amila Tica, Exchange Student Coordinator