When we last spoke to David Lecón in 2021, he had just started as managing director of the Global First Year program for international students at Florida International University (FIU). A lot has changed.
Since then, the city of Miami has been declared America’s next tech hub, FIU Global First Year (a collaboration between FIU and Shorelight) has earned a 92% progression rate, and FIU’s efforts to elevate its academic reputation have produced impressive results.
U.S. News & World Report now ranks FIU:
#98 Top National University
#46 Top Public University
#94 Best Value University
In 2024, this Miami university jumped 26 spots in the U.S. News & World Report national university rankings — more than any school in the last 10 years.
Keep reading to learn about the academic and career opportunities that are behind the university’s recent accomplishments. Lecón also shares his vision for FIU Global First Year and the return on investment (ROI) international students can access when they attend Florida International University.
What Makes FIU Different from Other US Universities?
Delivering impact, giving students the tools they need to be successful, and creating a culture of research excellence are three of the goals driving Florida International University’s success. For international students, the Global First Year program is the perfect introduction to the FIU mission.
“We remove all the obstacles that international students have during their freshman year. With us, they have access to special scholarships, career opportunities, [and] housing,” said Lecón. “It’s not a foundation program, it’s more of a VIP program your freshman year. It’s either your first year on your own with 60,000 students, or your first year with David and the Global First Year team!”
FIU Global First Year Costs Less – Without Sacrificing Quality
For an exclusive VIP experience, the Global First Year program at FIU is affordable. Tuition for international students is approximately $7,000 less than the national average for out-of-state tuition at a four-year public school.
“When looking at the cost of the four-year degree, we’re one of the most affordable universities in the United States,” said Lecón. “There’s no other top-100 university at our price point.”
Taking into account tuition, housing, insurance, and fees, the total cost to attend FIU is less than $40,000 a year for 2025-26 and less than the national average by $5,000.
“To get to that ROI, we focus on the cost of the four-year degree and student outcomes,” said Lecón. “In addition to our low price point, we’re in the South, where the cost of living is lower. But also, we are hypercompetitive. Our students receive salaries two years out that are as good as any of the of the prestigious schools up north.”
Customized Success Plans for Each International Student
To ensure students graduate and find competitive roles in their field of study, FIU Global First Year has created an early-action strategy for newly arrived students. The three components to that strategy are:
A four-year plan of study — focusing on academics and hard skills
A four-year extracurricular plan of action — focusing on soft skills, leadership, and engagement with FIU
English-language mastery — focusing on college-level written and oral skills to help students compete during their four years at FIU
For Lecón, the earlier students start thinking about their future, the more prepared they will be after graduation.
“It’s about planting seeds in the students’ minds,” said Lecón. “For instance, if you wait until your third year to join the robotics club or the sales competition or the architecture club, you’re not going to find that internship. You need to have joined during your first year, and then by your third or fourth year, you’re the vice president of the club.”
Reaching for Success, One Student at a Time
FIU Global First Year meets with international students as soon as they get to campus. They work with students independently to understand their aspirations and areas of interest. Then, with each student, they build a customized plan that includes courses to take, groups and clubs to join, and which Miami-based businesses might have relevant internship options.
“It’s just a beautiful thing to see how [arriving] students are able to understand the message that we’re trying to transmit to them, in terms of what success and good outcomes look like,” said Lecón. “The students who are disciplined, engaged — and follow our recommendations — have been very successful.”
Living and Studying in the City of Miami
One of Lecón’s favorite parts of working at FIU is being in Miami, one of the most vibrant cities in the US. From beach life to diverse neighborhoods, Miami has everything a big city can offer, with a cultural identity unlike any other.
“Miami is a world-class destination, second to none, and the faculty at FIU are also world class, so you’re getting the best,” said Lecón. “Miami invites people to be out. So, when you go to different areas of the city, it’s always very busy. There are different neighborhoods throughout the city that have that big-city feel, but it’s not as daunting.”
Finding Professional Experience in Miami
In addition to cultural experiences and fun extracurricular opportunities, Miami is a great place to gain professional experience in multiple industries, with more than 1,400 multinational companies in the city. This is especially true for digitally minded students who are looking to work with one of Miami’s new legions of climate tech and other innovative businesses.
The opportunity for internships and professional experience is high for international students. Many choose Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and Optional Practical Training (OPT) roles with Miami businesses. These positions help students build their network, and some even result in long-term employment.
“We’ve had many students who have been able to find jobs here in Miami, many in startups,” said Lecón. “It’s just a great business ecosystem that our students can also leverage for their OPT opportunities.”
Miami Has a Strong Latin America Connection
Students from more than 140 different countries attend Florida International University. Approximately 30% of FIU Global First Year each semester is Latin American, according to Lecón, and Miami’s connection with companies doing business in the region is very strong.
“It’s the gateway to Latin America,” said Lecón. “For students who are interested in staying in the United States and finding a great job, OPT, or a long-term sponsorship, there’s no better place than Miami. There are more than 1,200 multinational corporations headquartered here. In fact, Miami is the number-one city in the world in terms of the percentage of foreign-born residents.”
A Pathway to Success at FIU
When discussing opportunities for incoming international students, Lecón draws upon his own experience as an international student studying in the United States.
“When I was studying in the United States, I would fly back home and see my friends and family. I realized that I was growing at a really fast rate and becoming much more mature,” Lecón said. “My friends, in comparison, were perhaps not experiencing that, remaining in their home country. So, I look back at my college years and realize how important it was, how many doors I was able to open because of the fortune and good luck of attending college in the United States. Studying abroad is transformational.”
FIU Helps International Students Thrive
The Global First Year program at Florida International University supports international students academically, culturally, and professionally.
At FIU, students live and study on campus alongside close to 60,000 of their peers. They can access all the amenities they could imagine, from international food options to lively social activities.
“Campus life is very rich because of the incredible stand-alone campus: You have police, firemen, restaurants; you can get your hair cut, visit the ESports lounge, or go to the gym,” said Lecón. “That makes life much easier for students. At the same time, there’s Miami and you have just a million different things to do that are free of cost and available year-round because of the weather.”
Academically, students have access to more than 55 undergraduate degree options and can start earning college credits right away.
“Together we create a plan that has them thrive by completing their four-year degree, find internships, and ultimately find a job opportunity,” said Lecón. “It’s our perfect trifecta, and I think that that’s what makes the Global First Year program at FIU so successful.”
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