Study abroad is a great way for you to gain new perspective and immerse yourself in another culture. As a World Campus student, you have many options for study abroad programs through Penn State. If you are considering study abroad, you are encouraged to explore the different available programs via the University Office of Global Programs website.
Find the Right Program for You
As you begin to think of what program may be a good fit for you, here are some of the things you should look in to:
- Courses available. Full academic credit is guaranteed for any program you participate in through Penn State, but you should select a program that offers courses that are interesting to you and that meet your academic goals. You will want to select a program and courses in consultation with your academic adviser. They can help you identify any degree requirements you might need to complete while you are abroad.
- The cost of the program. For any program through Penn State, all fees are paid directly to the University. The budget sheet for each program is available at the top of each specific program page. The costs that will be billed to you by Penn State are listed at the top, and other estimated expenses are listed at the bottom of the page.
- Credits. Depending on the program length, credits offered vary. Some semester-long programs require 15 credits and other direct enrollment programs require between 12 and 15 credits. Summer programs usually require 3 to 9 credits. You will be scheduled for courses by Education Abroad, and upon completion, the placeholder schedule number will be removed and your actual credits and grades will appear on your transcript.
- Program website. View complete program pages for more information on specifics like course offerings, details on housing arrangements, what is included in the program, and sometimes opinions of other students. At the top of each page, there is a link to the program’s website titled “Homepage.”
- Housing abroad. A majority of programs offered are filled by traditional-aged Penn State undergraduate students (19 to 22 years old). This fact needs to be taken into consideration, especially when deciding what programs and housing options are available. Adult students may prefer home-stay options versus dorm or apartment setups with other students.
These are only a few of the things you should take into consideration as you begin to think about study abroad. Check back later for more study abroad tips and information.