Every year, thousands of Penn State students engage the world through academic programs, research, service, internships, and cultural immersion. In the College of the Liberal Arts, we believe that global experiences can play an integral role in personal, academic, and career development. International experiences offer students the opportunity to set themselves apart through intercultural competency, expanded resourcefulness, and experience navigating new contexts.
Types of Global Experiences
When you hear “education abroad” you may think of the traditional study abroad program that takes students to another country to live and learn for a semester. While that’s an option that many students pursue, it’s just one of several opportunities that take our students abroad throughout the year. Education abroad encompasses all global experiences—academic programs, research, service, and internships. Every year, hundreds of Liberal Arts students engage the world through these international experiences.
Semester, Summer and Academic Year Programs
There are three different types of study abroad programs—Semester, Summer, and Academic Year—in which Liberal Arts students can participate. Program length ranges from 4-8 weeks to an entire year with options to pursue direct enrollment, exchange, and study center. Our Student Services offices work to help students find programs, build their schedules abroad, and receive funding for the experience.
Students enroll as an international student at a host university and are fully integrated with local students.
Students from Penn State and the host institution are exchanged, typically on a one-to-one basis. Each student enrolls as an international student at the host university. Penn State students are fully integrated with local students at the host university.
Often organized by a non-profit educational organization, and program fee often includes housing, field trips and some meals. Courses usually taken with other U.S. students
Faculty-Led Courses
Liberal Arts faculty members offer a variety of education abroad programs during the summer semester. These programs typically run 2-8 weeks and are taught abroad.
Embedded Programs
Embedded programs are short-term global opportunities that can be taken on campus or online that includes the ability to travel abroad, typically during spring break or Maymester. Embedded courses offer a shorter, more affordable alternative to traditional study abroad programs and often serve as an excellent introduction to international learning, sparking many students’ interest in pursuing further global experiences.
International Internships
International internships are great ways to gain the benefits of traveling abroad while also building a professional portfolio. Students can grow their global understanding and build a worldwide network. To search for internship opportunities abroad, select ”Internship” under the “Type of Program” category on the Lions Abroad Advanced Program Search Page.
Students who have demonstrated financial need and career interests in health or the general betterment of human condition may wish to explore the Perreault Fellows Program.
Research Abroad and Field Study Opportunities
Research Abroad and Field Study Programs are tailored to students who are interested in hands-on experiential learning and want to gain research experience in their field and prepare for graduate school or for a career in research. Contact a Penn State education abroad adviser to get started.
Non-Credit Bearing Experiences
Penn State offers several Non-Credit Bearing study abroad experiences that include volunteering abroad, working abroad, and travelling with student organizations.
Too many options to choose from? Check out the Choosing and Applying for Programs page to get more detail on each type of program and tips on choosing one that aligns with your goals.
Get Started
The Liberal Arts Career Enrichment Network is available to support you in your pursuit of a global experience, including providing guidance related to program options, applications, and funding opportunities.
It’s also important to talk to your academic adviser and the Liberal Arts Academic Scholarships office to ensure that you’re eligible to participate and that you’re able to stay on track to graduate.