International Students
The University of Florida welcomes international students and faculty from
all over the world. The University of Florida has more than 40,000 students,
2,000 of whom are international students.
Setting and Environment
The University of Florida is in Gainesville, a city in north-central Florida
with a population of 90,000. Gainesville is approximately 200 feet (about 61.5
meters) above sea level.
The climate is semitropical. Normal winter days are sunny and warm (70° to 80°
Fahrenheit or 22° to 27° Centigrade) and nights are cool (30° to 50°F or -1° to
10°C). There are occasional periods of freezing temperatures, but snow is quite
unusual in this part of the United States. Summer days are hot (80° to 95°F or
27° to 35°C), and summer nights are pleasant. During the summer, the relative
humidity is high and afternoon rain showers are frequent.
University of Florida International Center
International students who have not studied previously at the University of
Florida must attend an orientation at the International Center, 123 Grinter
Hall, Gainesville, FL 32611-3225. Center staff members are available to assist
international students with their individual needs.
Academic Year - Semester System
The academic calendar operates on a semester system. In a twelve-month year
there are two semesters, each containing fifteen weeks of class instruction and
one week of examinations. The fall semester begins in late August and ends in
December. Spring semester begins in early January and ends in late April. The
regular summer term begins in mid-May and ends in early August. A special
six-week summer term begins in mid-June.
English Language Institute (ELI)
The English Language Institute offers a non-credit, non-degree program in
English as a foreign language. The program may be taken any semester of the
academic year and emphasizes the oral and written skills needed by students who
plan to attend a college or university in the United States. Admission to the
institute does not guarantee admission to the university. Further information is
available from the Office of the Director, English Language Institute, 313
Norman Hall
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