This 1-credit embedded course to Tunisia is co-organized by faculty from Classics and Ancient Mediterranean Studies, Jewish Studies, and African Studies. It brings together expertise from all three units to give students a full picture of Tunis and its surrounding region, moving forward in time from its ancient history as the center of the Carthaginian Empire, through its role in the Roman province of Africa, to centuries of Muslim, Jewish, and Christian presence. The course culminates in discussions of anti-Semitism and how the Holocaust unfolded in North Africa during the Nazi occupation of Tunisia (1942–1943), with particular attention to the island of Djerba.
Program Dates: November 22–29, 2026
Pre-requisites/Eligibility: The program is open to students who have completed at least one class on the ancient or modern history of the Mediterranean or Africa, or who are enrolled in such a class in fall 2026.
The program is open to students who have completed at least one class on the ancient or modern history of the Mediterranean or Africa, or who are enrolled in such a class in fall 2026. Students who commit to the program will be manually enrolled in CAMS/AFR/JST 199 or 499 for 1-credit.
Students should review their academic term plans to determine any financial implications, especially if you plan to take over the maximum 19 credits in a semester. Students can anticipate actual charges using the University’s updated Tuition Calculator.
- Program Fee: Maximum of $3,380. Note that this fee reflects a $660 reduction based on scholarship funding that has been applied. Students who are CAMS majors or CAMS minors are eligible for additional funding from the CAMS department in the following amounts:
- CAMS majors: $800
- CAMS minors: $400
JST majors and minors will be eligible for travel funding from Jewish Studies. Please contact Professor Mathias Hanses (mhanses@psu.edu) for more details on CAMS funding and Professor Lior Sternfeld (lbs18@psu.edu) for questions on JST travel funding.
- In-Country Costs: Please consult with your faculty leaders about the amount of money to bring to cover the costs of meals and any additional spending money.
NOTE: The Program Fee will be billed to participants’ Penn State Bursar accounts in late July and payment will be due on August 22.
The Program Fee includes: round trip international airfare; hotel accommodations (based on double or triple occupancy, breakfast included); transportation to/from the airport in Tunisia; some group meals (but not all); transportation and fees related to program activities in Tunisia; emergency and administrative support.
The Program Fee does NOT include: transportation to/from US airport; some meals; spending money (souvenirs, etc.); course/credit tuition or fees; passport or visa fees.
To officially commit to the program, thoroughly read and submit the Official Financial Commitment Form by June 15, 2026.
Students must fill out this form in order to be registered for the 1-credit embedded travel course, CAMS/AFR/JST 199 or 499.
Interested students with questions may email Mathias Hanses (mhanses@psu.edu), Lior Sternfeld (lbs18@psu.edu), or Dorothy Takyiakwaa (dvt5408@psu.edu).
There are several official avenues for embedded program funding within the University. The primary ways are through Liberal Arts Enrichment Funding and Penn State Global, but students can also explore funding opportunities through their academic department or Undergraduate Research and Fellowships Mentoring.
Students who are CAMS majors or CAMS minors are eligible for funding from the CAMS department in the following amounts:
- CAMS majors:$800
- CAMS minors:$400
JST majors and minors will be eligible for travel funding from Jewish Studies.
Please contact Professor Mathias Hanses (mhanses@psu.edu) for more details on CAMS funding and Professor Lior Sternfeld (lbs18@psu.edu) for questions on JST travel funding.
Get career ready!
Embedded programs help students to gain key skills that employers are most looking for in college graduates, according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE). Below are 1–2 major competencies students can start to develop by participating in this program.
Equity and Inclusion
Understand important aspects of multiculturalism and learn how to utilize your global perspectives/interactions for use in America’s multilingual society.
Critical Thinking
Explore and analyze information from various historical and cultural sites to help understand Tunisia’s past and present, recognizing a diverse set of sources and seeking to gain a fuller perspective of the culture beyond the classroom.
Want to hear more? Meet with a Liberal Arts career coach in the Career Enrichment Network to discuss your experience and identify even more ways that this program can enhance your personal and professional development!
