Overview of Program

Each semester, the International Center holds a mandatory orientation specifically catered to Exchange Visitor students. Students will receive specific information regarding the date, time, and place of the orientation prior to the start of the semester. Please be sure to reach out to the International Center at InternationalCenter@flagler.edu if you do not receive information about the mandatory orientation! Failure to attend orientation and to have your SEVIS record validated may result in future immigration complications.

Health Insurance in the United States is very different from health insurance around the world. Unlike many countries, individuals are required to pay for health insurance. Having health insurance helps ensure that students do not have to pay exorbitant amounts of money in the event they fall ill, as it limits the amount of money required for treatment.  

The U.S. Department of State has minimum J-1 health insurance requirements that exchange students’ insurance plan must meet:

• Medical Benefits of at least $100,000 per accident or illness
• Repatriation of Remains in the amount of $25,000
• Expenses associated with the medical evacuation in the amount of $50,000
• A deductible not to exceed $500 per accident or illness
• A policy is underwritten by an insurance carrier that meets one of the following ratings

Please note this applies to J-2 visa holders as well.

To help students find an insurance provider, the International Center has provided an abbreviated list of insurance companies that meet the Exchange Visitor Program requirements. Please click here to view the entire list. (Link to J-1 Insurance Companies page; fourth attachment to request email)

Students are also advised to visit Flagler College's Health Services page to access important information like current immunization forms, medical insurance guide, and much more.

The Department of State mandates specific rules as to how J-1 students must maintain status in the U.S. It is important for current students to remember that they must adhere to these requirements throughout their time at Flagler College to ensure they maintain legal immigration status. The Flagler College International Center is willing and able to assist you and answer questions you have concerning your immigration status; however, it is your responsibility to maintain your immigration status in the United States.

Below is a comprehensive list of the responsibilities all J-1 students must follow while studying in the United States.

Maintain Immigration Documents –

• Passport – Be sure you keep your passport valid at all times. Your passport cannot expire while you are in the United States.
• Visa – It is important to check the expiration date on your J-1 visa. You will need to make the necessary arrangements to renew your visa if you plan to travel internationally and your visa is expired.
• DS-2019 – Inform the Flagler College International Center immediately if you notice a discrepancy in information on your DS-2019. Additionally, please reach out to the FCIC to extend your DS-2019 prior to the program end date.
• I-94 – Have a copy of your I-94 with you at all times.

Full Course Load –

In order to maintain your lawful status in the United States, students should be registered for full time during each semester they are present on campus. Full-time enrollment for Flagler College is 12 credit hours.

Notifying Changes –

All J-1 students are required to notify the International Center of changes to their address, legal name(s), major, marital status, and email address within 10 days of the event. It is imperative that students remain diligent in keeping the International Center informed of major events such as those listed above.

Travel –

Students should meet with the International Center prior to traveling internationally so as to maintain status. Please see the travel section (link to travel section) for more information.

Employment (Academic Training) –

Students may not engage in unauthorized work. Students should consult with their International Student Advisor prior to engaging in a form of employment to ensure they are being compliant. More information on employment is located on the Academic Training section (Link to employment section).

J-1 students are able to travel both domestically or internationally during their semesters on campus. However, please remember that different documents and procedures are required for domestic (within the U.S.) and international (outside of the U.S.) travel.

Travel within the U.S. –

Students preparing to travel within the U.S. should review the Domestic Travel Checklist below:

Domestic Travel Checklist

• Your valid passport with an expiration date that is at least six months in the future of the date you are traveling
• Your most recent Form DS-2019.
• Any State issued identification document you have received while in the United States (i.e., Social security card, Florida driver's license, etc.) 

Travel outside the U.S. –

Students preparing to travel outside of the U.S. should review the International Travel Checklist below: 

International Travel Checklist

• Your valid passport with an expiration date that is at least six months in the future of the date you are traveling
• Your valid J-1 exchange visitor visa
• DS-2019 travel validation for re-entry
• Check the bottom right section of your Form DS-2019 for travel validation signatures from your International Student Advisor.
• The DS-2019 travel validation signature is an important part of your international travel as it indicates to U.S. Immigration Officers that the International Center is aware of your international travel. Please note that the DS-2019 travel validation signature is shown during RE-entry to the United States.

Exchange students interested in participating in off-campus work experience may apply for Academic Training through the International Center. AT is meant to give students practical experience, and must directly relate to their academic program of study. Students may request AT for internships, practicums, apprenticeships, and other types of practical experience gained through off-campus employment.

Eligibility –

• Students must meet the following requirements to be considered for AT:
• Good academic standing
• Maintaining J-1 status
• Employment must directly relate to the student’s program of study
• Must have an offer of employment
• Must have completed the Academic Training for Exchange Visitors (J-1) Request Form

Additional information –

• AT may be requested on a full-time or part-time basis.
• AT may be authorized during or after the completion of your program.
• Students must receive authorization from the International Center BEFORE beginning employment.

How to Apply?

1. Obtain a letter of offer from your potential employer. The letter should include:
1. Your job title
2. Description of responsibilities
3. Address of employer
4. Number of hours requested for your work (per week)
5. Supervisor’s information
1. Full name
2. Email
3. Phone number
6. Salary (if applicable)
2. Complete Academic Training for Exchange Visitors (J-1) Request Form
3. Submit items 1 & 2 to the International Center for approval

Your International Student Advisor will review your submitted materials; and contact you if there are any questions or discrepancies.

An essential part of Flagler College’s exchange program is to promote cultural exchange and dialogue on our campus. Specifically, our goal is to introduce our exchange visitors to American culture, while fostering an environment that encourages the development of their cross-cultural competency skills. Through our program, our visitors will gain a better understanding of Flagler College, the St. Augustine community, and U.S. society.

The cross-cultural component of the Exchange Visitor Program gives participants the opportunity to learn about U.S. society and culture outside of their activities on campus; to share their own culture, traditions, and views with Americans; to help see the world from another perspective; to be more tolerant and respectful of differences, and to appreciate similarities that bring people together.

The purpose of the Exchange Visitor Program is to foster the exchange of ideas between Americans and foreign nationals and to stimulate international collaborative learning, teaching, lecturing, and research efforts. The exchange of students encourages the exchange of ideas, opinions, and cultural nuances through the realms of academia and cross-cultural activities. The exchange of professors and research scholars promotes the exchange of ideas, research, mutual enrichment, and linkages between research and educational institutions in the U.S. and foreign countries. It does so by providing foreign professors and research scholars the opportunity to engage in research, teaching and lecturing, with their American colleagues, to participate actively in cross-cultural activities with Americans, and ultimately to share with their countrymen their experiences and increase the knowledge of the U.S. and their substantive fields.