When Allison Hein moved about 3,000 miles to attend school at Florida State University, she embraced her new surroundings.

"I grew up in Northern Idaho, but FSU quickly became my home," said Hein, whose parents began investing in a Florida Prepaid College Plan while in Florida with the U.S. Navy. She chose FSU for its size, variety of student organizations and quality academic programs.

Hein immediately got involved – in the Honors Program, student residence hall government and America Reads. She served as treasurer of Habitat for Humanity for two years.

"Our FSU chapter fully funded and built a $49,000 home for an underprivileged woman and her grandson," Hein said. "I was able to play a direct role in the whole process, from fundraising to painting closet doors. I saw firsthand what teamwork can accomplish, and few things are more gratifying than actually seeing the results of your efforts to better a community."

Hein said being finance major in FSU’s College of Business is a perfect fit for her.

"My parents taught me at an early age to save money. I've had savings bonds and money market accounts since before I can remember," Hein said. "I have always enjoyed math, and budgeting and managing my personal investment portfolio is almost second nature to me now."

Because of her parents’ preparation for her future, Hein said funding her education has not been a problem. Financial assistance from the College of Business and Department of Finance, such as the E. Ray Solomon, Mark and Nancy Hillis, and Karl & Sophia Schweizer scholarships, have also aided in easing education costs.

"My financial planning and analysis internship this past summer with Coldwater Creek, Inc. whetted my appetite to learn more. My finance courses at FSU have taught me fundamental skills and strategies that I can actually use both as an individual investor and in the finance industry when I begin my career."

Hein said she has high regard for the finance faculty. Chairman William Christiansen e-mails often to see how her job search is going. She also appreciates invaluable help she received from Sue Garis, director of advising, who guided her transition to the finance major.

Hein represents students on the college’s Undergraduate Policy Committee and plans to maintain her 4.0 grade-point average until graduation this spring.

Hein also works as a student recruiter for FSU International Programs. After seven years of French classes, earning her French minor and membership in the Pi Delta Phi French honor society, Hein studied abroad in Paris on scholarship.

"Living in Paris was a truly unforgettable experience," Hein said. "Not only did my language skills improve tremendously, but I gained a sense of independence and confidence. I transformed from a girl who was worried that she'd get lost on her way to the dorm from the airport to a world traveler who navigated through new foreign cities on her own."

Now she presents speeches to classes, organizations and parents about the benefits and logistics of studying abroad. She said scholarships are available to students ambitious enough to apply. She highly recommends the experience.

"I made lasting friendships with students from all over Europe. With modern travel and communication, the world is becoming increasingly smaller and interconnected. Yet, at the same time, my world seems to be expanding. The more I see, the more I realize how little I've seen. Studying abroad sparked in me a fascination for travel and immersion in new cultures.

"It's a good thing that the finance is a worldwide industry," Hein said, "because I plan to live abroad for at least a few years at some point in my career."