Studying Abroad

University Global Programs Office

College of Education International Programs Office

Studying abroad is one of the best ways to understand a different culture in a meaningful way. It is an experience that can have a profound impact on all students, especially future educators.   

Education Abroad at Penn State offers more than 180 summer, semester and full-year programs in over 45 countries! Over 60 of these programs are either specially designed, semester-length programs or are reciprocal exchange programs with an international university. Education Abroad also offers numerous other short-term, faculty-led programs.  Penn State is committed to keeping these programs affordable through financial aid and scholarships.  Due to major requirements and sequencing of courses, students must work closely with their advisers to make early plans for studying abroad.

Education Abroad Goals:

• to prepare students for citizenship in an increasingly interdependent global community;
• to provide an international component to the University's curriculum;
• to enrich the University's general education program;
• to complement those professionally oriented programs, such as Education, where a study abroad experience is especially desirable;
• to support the University's cultural diversity initiative;
• to promote sensitivity to and appreciation of the world's diverse cultures.

View Penn State's Study Abroad Video

Students majoring in any of the World Language options (French, German, Latin, Spanish or Russian) are required to study abroad typically during the spring semester of their junior year.

In addition to opportunities for studying abroad during a semester or a short-term program, there also are opportunities to Student Teach Abroad.

Students majoring in Secondary Education for English, Mathematics, Science or Social Studies are encouraged to consider opportunities for student teaching in Europe.  Student teaching in Jonkoping, Sweden is available during the fall semester, and opportunities to student teach in  Trondheim, Norway or Utrecht, Netherlands are available during the spring semester. 

Due to major requirements and sequencing of courses, students must work closely with their advisers to make early plans for studying abroad.

Beginning in Fall 2008, the College of Education has offered a unique year-long study abroad program for Elementary and Secondary English or Social Studies majors. Eight students in their Junior year  receive travel/living grants of $12,000 to study in the fall semester at the University of Chichester in England, and in the spring semester at Jönköping University in Sweden.  These PSU students  join education students at these universities in England and Sweden, then return with them to Penn State for their Senior year.  With this integrated two years of study at the three universities, students  earn both U.S. and European baccalaureate degrees.  Over 30 faculty at the three universities teach the integrated education courses in this program as part of the Consortium for Intercultural Reflective Teachers, funded by the U.S. Department of Education, Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education, and the European Union Education Commission.  For details about this study abroad opportunity and the application process:  http://www2.ed.psu.edu/ci/cirt .