Education Abroad

Courses

Look at the departmental Web site for information on how to incorporate education abroad into your academic plan. Many departments have identified specific programs abroad that are especially suitable for their majors. Talk to your academic adviser about how to plan for education abroad: which courses you should plan to take here before you go, which requirements might be fulfilled abroad, which requirements cannot be fulfilled abroad, and when is it best for you to study abroad.

Consult with the faculty in your area of interest. Find out the value of education abroad in your academic discipline.

If you need help choosing a program that would be suitable for your academic interests, make an appointment with Prof. Sylvia Neely, Academic Director of Liberal Arts Education Abroad Programs. She can guide you to the best program for your particular interests. Prof. Neely's email address is: sxn13@psu.edu

Cost

On most Penn State-approved study abroad programs, you pay regular Penn State tuition and most financial aid can also be used. There will often be additional program fees and some other expenses. If you start planning early, you can find scholarships and other financial help for studying abroad. Be sure to look at the Education Abroad information on grants and scholarships:

http://www.international.psu.edu/students_study_abroad
/info_financial_aid.htm

The College of the Liberal Arts offers enrichment scholarships for Liberal Arts majors who plan to study abroad. The application for those funds is available in 138 Sparks.

What do I do next?

Educate yourself by looking at the Education Abroad Web site:

http://www.international.psu.edu/students_study_abroad/

Attend a general information session, entitled Education Abroad 101, held on the first Wednesday of every month in 410 Boucke Building.

Visit the Education Abroad Resource Room, 412 Boucke Building. There you can consult many catalogs and other sources of information. You can also talk to Education Abroad peer advisers, students who have studied abroad and who are available to answer questions about the process and to share information about their experiences.

Attend information sessions for many of the Education Abroad programs. These are scheduled throughout the year. Watch for advertisements and for announcements in your classes.

Remember, it is never too early to begin planning for studying abroad.

 

All students in Liberal Arts are encouraged to study abroad. Regardless of major or field of study, today's graduates will live and work in a world that is more culturally and globally challenging. Prepare yourself for this new world by studying abroad. The earlier in your academic career that you begin thinking about education abroad, the easier it will be to incorporate it into your program of study.

The possibilities for international experiences offered by Penn State are wide-ranging. There is bound to be a program that is right for you. Here are some examples of what you can do:

  • learn about traditional Japanese culture while living with a modern Japanese family
  • learn about and participate in international development in West Africa or India
  • increase your Spanish skills by studying in Spain or Mexico
  • pursue an internship in publishing or museum work in London
  • learn about the European Union in the Netherlands, Belgium, or Austria
  • spend a summer learning Italian and art history in a town in the Umbrian hills
  • explore Greek monuments and history during a semester in Athens

These are only a few of the more than 150 education abroad programs offered by Penn State. Of course, not all will be right for you. But among that number you are bound to find a program that fits with your academic plan or your career goals or your interests. You can begin searching on the Education Abroad Web site:

http://www.international.psu.edu/students_study_abroad/

Here are some of the many options available to you:

  • study abroad in either fall semester or spring semester, for the entire academic year, or participate in a summer program
  • take courses abroad that will fulfill different requirements for graduation: major, minor, General Education, BA, or electives. All credits earned through PSU-approved education abroad programs will receive PSU credit
  • take courses to improve foreign language skills, or study in English in either English-speaking countries or on special programs in non-English-speaking countries
  • live with a family, in a dorm, or in an apartment
  • choose a lively crowded city or a smaller, more intimate town
  • enroll directly into courses at a foreign university or choose a study center with special arrangements for American students

You will find that it is usually possible to incorporate studying abroad and still make progress toward on-time graduation because the courses you take abroad will often count toward your degree requirements. The earlier you begin planning, the better. Talk to your adviser about strategies for incorporating study abroad into your program. Save some General Education requirements to fulfill abroad.