The International Student Experience at F&M
International parents can explore our overview of F&M in Chinese and Spanish.
1,867 F&M Students
17%
international
55
countries
9
languages taught
Student Spotlight
“It felt like the perfect place.”
Olha Shapovalenko '24, a double major in studio art and mathematics from Ukraine,
said the international community was one of the most enjoyable aspects of her time
at F&M. “Joseph International Center (JIC) staff made me feel like I belonged here
and were immensely supportive, especially during challenging times for my country,”
she said. Shapovalenko’s counselor at Ukraine Global Scholars had suggested F&M during
her college search. “Strong blend of arts and science, a new arts center near completion,
tight-knit community and its prime location – for a 17-year-old passionate about biology
and art, it felt like the perfect place,” Shapovalenko said.
Read More »
Connect With Our International Community
Are you wondering what it's really like to be an international student at F&M? Visit our International Peer Mentor site to connect with other international students like you and to learn more about student life at F&M.Learn more »
Where We Are
F&M is located in Lancaster, Pa., in the northeast region of the U.S. It is a safe, walkable city known for its culinary and arts scenes. In fact, Lancaster was named the Best Small City in America by WalletHub. It is also a short train ride from major cities like New York, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C.
Closest International Airports
MDT (Harrisburg, Pa.)
PHL (Philadelphia)
BWI (Baltimore/Washington)
DCA (Arlington, Va.)
IAD (Dulles, Va.)
EWR (Newark, N.J.)
JFK (New York City)
Cities Accessible by Train
Philadelphia, Pa.
New York, N.Y.
Baltimore, Md.
Washington, D.C.
Boston, Mass.
Explore Lancaster
F&M’s extraordinary home city of Lancaster is a rich hub of arts and culture filled with experiences for every taste and preference — all within walking distance of campus. Certified as a “Welcoming City” for immigrants and refugees, Lancaster is known for its many art galleries, historical buildings, and delicious restaurants featuring food from around the world.
A Global Campus
We proudly embrace our global identity and commit ourselves to improving our cultural fluency. We demonstrate this commitment by recruiting students from around the world, emphasizing the transformative power of studying abroad, and creating opportunities to engage with a globalized Lancaster.
Ready to take your first look at campus and explore the place that could be your home
for the next four years? Whether you visit us in person or “walk around” with a virtual
tour, our Admission team is prepared to help you build your visit to suit your needs.Experience Campus
A Customized Academic Journey
At F&M, we believe that education is not one-size-fits-all. It is one-size-fits-one. Students who come to F&M are big thinkers, self-starters, and entrepreneurs. Each one embarks on an educational journey that’s unique to them. If you want to take control of your education, engage your professors and peers, test ideas and theories, and stand out, F&M is the place for you!
Liberal arts is a traditional academic program in Western higher education that focuses
on exploring a wide range of fields and building skills that are valuable in any workplace
or post-graduate pursuit: reading, writing, thinking, analyzing, debating and listening.
F&M’s liberal arts model encourages you to strive beyond traditional boundaries and
make connections between disciplines that on the surface do not seem related. A key element of F&M’s liberal arts model encourages you to explore a variety of courses
and disciplines before choosing a major. With 52 undergraduate fields of study at
F&M, you will have room to explore your favorite subjects while discovering new ones,
too. We know a vibrant campus life is a major contributor to your academic experience.
Luckily, there are many opportunities for you to get involved at F&M. Globally oriented
clubs at F&M include the African Caribbean Association, Asian American Alliance, Hillel,
Mi Gente Latina, Model UN, Muslim Students Association, and so many more.How F&M Does the Liberal Arts
Finding Your Path
Clubs & Organizations
Unmatched Support and Guidance
From immigration services to specialized academic support, you will find invaluable partners across campus advocating for your success at F&M.
Joseph International Center
The heart of F&M’s global community is the Joseph International Center (JIC), a campus space dedicated to bringing the F&M community together across borders, cultures and languages. The JIC is the primary hub for off-campus study planning, international student services, and the international studies academic program.
International Student Services
Office of Faith & Meaning
International and Multilingual Academic Support
We offer a wide range of support services, including assistance with:
- English grammar, revision, and proofreading skills
- Reading comprehension skills
- Pronunciation and speaking skills
- Writing assignment assistance, including how to form sentences, choose words, and organize thoughts
- Adjusting to liberal arts curriculum and F&M’s academic culture
- Interpreting and applying professor feedback to your work
- Class discussion and participation
- Note-taking and organization
- Citation, plagiarism, and academic integrity
- Time management and study skills
International Student Orientation
Introductory Course for International First-Years
F&M Liberal Arts and Beyond (F&M LAB) is a unique course for incoming first-year international
students. Designed to help you begin your F&M career with confidence and a sense of
community, F&M LAB begins with a four-week online discussion class taking place the
summer before you arrive on campus.
F&M LAB has three main goals:
- To introduce you to your new community, including a community of international classmates, F&M faculty and staff, and the community of Lancaster
- To prepare you for the expectations of the F&M liberal arts curriculum and the experience of living in the U.S.
- To practice the reading, writing, study, and discussion skills that will be crucial for success in your first-semester coursework
While the course is optional, you will earn a course credit for taking F&M LAB. If you are interested in learning more about the course, you can reach out to Dr. Nadia Mann, F&M’s assistant dean for international & multilingual student success, at nadia.mann@fandm.edu.
Apply to F&M
Do you have questions about applying to F&M? We are here to help if you have any questions or need guidance during the application process. You can contact us at intladmissions@fandm.edu.
Begin your application »