Building Global Connections

Building Global Connections
Building Global Connections

A liberal arts degree is highly beneficial for pursuing a career abroad—fostering adaptability and a global perspective—to allow you to navigate diverse cultural contexts and engage with international communities. Through a broad understanding of global issues, languages, and social dynamics, you can effectively work in roles such as international relations, global marketing, or cross-cultural consulting. The ability to analyze complex problems and communicate across cultures enhances your effectiveness in various international settings, making you an asset in a global workforce.

A liberal arts degree develops cultural awareness and adaptability, fostering key transferable skills essential for living and working abroad, such as:

  • Cultural competency
  • Effective communication
  • Critical thinking
  • Adaptability
  • Research and analytical skills
  • Interdisciplinary knowledge
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Interested in learning more about what you can do with a liberal arts degree?

Future Students

Majors

Explore our degrees designed for those interested in building global connections. Our programs will equip you with the skills to excel and turn your passions into a rewarding career. 

Combines anthropology with scientific methods and data analysis. Equips students to approach global challenges with evidence-based solutions, contributing to international development, research, and cross-cultural collaboration.

Explores human cultures, behaviors, and societal structures. Prepares students to understand global cultural diversity, contribute to international research, and engage in cross-cultural communication to build understanding between communities.

Emphasizes writing, storytelling, and critical analysis. Prepares students to craft narratives that resonate with global audiences, engage in international media, and contribute to the cultural and creative industries worldwide.

Examines the history, culture, and politics of Asia. Prepares students to engage in global diplomatic efforts, contribute to cross-cultural research, and foster cultural understanding through Asian-centered media and international discourse.

Focuses on the Chinese language, literature, and culture. Prepares students to contribute to international business, diplomacy, and cultural exchange efforts with China, influencing global communication and cross-cultural collaboration.

Focuses on ancient cultures, languages, and histories. Prepares students to understand the cultural foundations of the modern world, contribute to historical preservation, and engage in global cultural exchange.

Examines literature across cultures and languages. Equips students to analyze cross-cultural narratives, understand global literary traditions, and contribute to international discussions on cultural themes and global storytelling.

Emphasizes writing, storytelling, and critical analysis. Prepares students to craft narratives that resonate with global audiences, engage in international media, and contribute to the cultural and creative industries worldwide.

Explores the French language, culture, and the broader Francophone world. Prepares students to engage in international diplomacy, global media, and cultural exchange with French-speaking countries across the world.

Focuses on the German language, literature, and culture. Prepares students to participate in global cultural and political discussions, contribute to international business, and foster cross-cultural understanding between German-speaking countries and the world.

Explores global issues, international relations, and cultural interactions. Prepares students to analyze and influence global trends, contribute to international media projects, and build cross-border collaborations through cultural understanding.

Studies historical events, cultural movements, and global trends. Equips students to understand the past's influence on current international relations and contribute to preserving and interpreting global heritage through media and storytelling.

Examines the Italian language, culture, and history. Prepares students to contribute to global cultural exchange, influence media narratives related to Italy, and engage in international business and diplomatic initiatives.

Focuses on the Japanese language, culture, and history. Prepares students to foster international relationships, engage in cultural exchange programs, and influence media and diplomatic discussions with Japan.

Focuses on Jewish culture, history, and religion. Prepares students to engage in interfaith dialogue, promote cultural understanding, and contribute to social justice and global policy discussions regarding minority and religious communities.

Studies the Korean language, literature, and culture. Prepares students to contribute to international trade, diplomacy, and media projects, promoting understanding between Korea and the rest of the world.

Examines workforce dynamics, organizational behavior, and global employment trends. Prepares students to address international labor issues, shape global workplace culture, and contribute to cross-border human resource practices and policies.

Explores the history, culture, and politics of Latin America. Prepares students to engage in cross-cultural communication, contribute to international policy discussions, and foster connections between Latin America and the global community.

Studies the structure of languages and their cultural significance. Prepares students to engage in global communication, contribute to language revitalization efforts, and analyze cross-cultural language trends for international audiences.

Examines the history, literature, and cultures of the medieval world. Prepares students to understand historical cross-cultural interactions, contribute to global academic discussions, and preserve medieval cultural heritage for modern contexts.

Focuses on the history, culture, and politics of the Middle East. Prepares students to engage in international diplomacy, influence media narratives on the region, and contribute to global conversations on Middle Eastern issues.

Studies the Portuguese language, literature, and culture. Prepares students to engage with Lusophone countries globally, contributing to cross-cultural communication, international media projects, and diplomatic initiatives.

Studies human behavior, cognition, and motivation. Equips students to understand cross-cultural psychological trends, contribute to international mental health initiatives, and analyze the global impact of cultural and media trends.

Examines the Russian language, literature, and culture. Prepares students to understand Russian-speaking communities, contribute to international policy discussions, and foster global cultural exchange with Russia.

Focuses on the Spanish language, literature, and culture. Prepares students to engage in global diplomatic efforts, contribute to cross-cultural communication, and shape media narratives within the Spanish-speaking world.

While this page shows many opportunities and examples of what our students and alumni have done related to this area of interest, this is not an exhaustive list of majors or experiences.

Out-of-Classroom Experiences

  • Deloitte
  • Microsoft
  • United Nations
  • U.S. Department of State
  • Syngenta Global
  • Traveler’s Insurance
  • UNESCO
  • National Security Innovation Network
  • Jewish Cultural Historical Museum
  • Philadelphia Museum of Art
  • US-ASEAN Business Council

Education Abroad Destinations

Germany

Students enrolled in GER 003/197 spent a week in Munich, Germany, as part of the “Experiencing German Language and Culture in Munich” embedded program.
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Poland

Students taking HIST/JST 426 spent a week in Poland as part of “The Holocaust and History" embedded program deepening their understanding of key issues surrounding the Holocaust and pre-war Jewish life through visiting historical sites in Poland.
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Greece

Students taking CAMS 15U spent a week in Athens, Greece, as part of the “Wonders of the Ancient World” embedded program. The course focused on the famed “Seven Wonders” and other achievements dating back to 3,000 B.C.E.
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Georgia

Students enrolled in RUS 197 spent a week in Tbilisi, Georgia, as part of the “Cultural Immersion in Post-Soviet Georgia” embedded program.
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France

A faculty-led summer French language program in Besançon, France, offered beginner to advanced-level students of French an immersive experience to rapidly improve their fluency.
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Post-Graduation Opportunities

  • Law school
  • MBA
  • Graduate school to study international relations, global studies, cultural anthropology, language and linguistics, public policy, development studies, comparative literature, and global business
  • International Development Officer
  • Cultural Program Coordinator
  • Global Communications Specialist
  • International Trade Analyst
  • Diplomatic Liaison Officer
  • Cross-Cultural Trainer
  • Global Marketing Manager
  • Foreign Policy Analyst
  • International Human Resources Manager
  • Global Nonprofit Coordinator
  • International Relations and Diplomacy
  • Global Nonprofits and NGOs
  • International Education
  • Multinational Corporations
  • International Marketing and Advertising
  • Cultural Heritage and Preservation
  • Global Tourism and Hospitality
  • International Trade and Logistics
  • Cross-Cultural Consulting
  • Media and Journalism with a Global Focus
  • United Nations
  • Peace Corps
  • World Trade Organization
  • National Geographic Society
  • International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement
  • U.S. Department of State
  • Amnesty International
  • Global multinational companies, such as Google or Microsoft
  • International publishing houses, such as Penguin Random House
  • Education abroad organizations, such as CIEE or IES Abroad
Katherine Percival stands in front of the Geghard Monastery in Armenia.
LinguisticsRussian

Katherine Percival

’28
Mathematics
|
Linguistics
Mathematics
Linguistics
I find the intellectual approach to math and language to be very similar. My interest in linguistics led me to take Russian for my foreign language requirement, and this program was a wonderful opportunity to travel to a country [Armenia] where many people speak Russian.
Fiona Combs, who graduated Penn State in 2025, smiles while wearing a maroon blouse.
EnglishMedieval Studies

Fiona Combs

’25
English
|
Spanish
|
Medieval Studies
|
Art
|
Global and International Studies (minor)
English
Spanish
Medieval Studies
Art
Global and International Studies (minor)
In Ireland, Fiona’s studies centered on art and English with medieval ruins lurking in the background — several of her core academic interests. Walking through ancient ruins and engaging with centuries-old artifacts added dimension to her coursework in ways a textbook couldn’t replicate.
Fiona Combs, who graduated Penn State in 2025, smiles while wearing a maroon blouse.
EnglishGlobal and International StudiesMedieval StudiesSpanish

Fiona Combs

’25
English
|
Spanish
|
Medieval Studies
|
Art
|
Global and International Studies (minor)
English
Spanish
Medieval Studies
Art
Global and International Studies (minor)
Throughout her time at Penn State, Fiona has embraced every opportunity to explore her wide-ranging interests — in the classroom and around the world. “I decided to pursue a quadruple major because I have a wide range of interests and enjoy reading and writing. My summer study abroad experiences allowed me to take more classes within my four years at Penn State.”
Victor Frolenko (right) and Elana Lang (left) show dance moves to their students.
Spanish

Victor Frolenko

’25
Spanish
|
Nutritional Sciences
|
Neuroscience (minor)
Spanish
Nutritional Sciences
Neuroscience (minor)
Victor is teaching his own course this semester through Students Teaching Students, with fellow student Elana Laing. The one-credit course — SPAN 197 Merengue and More: Latin Dance Lessons and Artist Study — explores the rich world of Spanish music and culture by combining two main elements: dance instruction and lyrical analysis. “My Liberal Arts education has helped me think very individually and out of the box, so that is why I’m approaching Spanish teaching in this sense. This course is something fun and unique.”
Anna Raquel Duiker, who will graduate Penn State in 2026, smiles while seated, with a flowery wallpaper in the background.
InternshipSpanishUndergrad Research

Anna Raquel Duiker

’26
Spanish
|
Human Development and Family Studies
Spanish
Human Development and Family Studies
Anna completed her Partnerships for International Research and Education (PIRE) fellowship in Puerto Rico, where she studied how some people switch between English and Spanish when they speak. She looked at how often this happens, how likely people are to switch languages in different situations and how this affects the way they learn and use both languages.
Cara graduated from Penn State in 2025 and will graduate her IUG master's degree program in 2026. She is smiling and wearing a green jacket, white turtleneck blouse and a silver necklace.
Political ScienceUndergrad ResearchWomen's Studies

Cara Arnoldi

’26
Political Science
|
Communications Arts and Sciences
|
Public Policy (master's degree)
Political Science
Communications Arts and Sciences
Public Policy (master's degree)
In summer 2024, Cara took her research efforts abroad during WMNST 399: The Quest for Reproductive Justice in South Africa, a faculty-led education abroad program through the Department of Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies in the College of the Liberal Arts. The group worked on several research projects, and Cara focused her research on the inadequacy of adoption services in South Africa, contrasting it with the United States’ emphasis on improving foster and adoption services.
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