See the World Global Perspective

At the Schreyer Honors College, we believe that a well-developed and experience-based global perspective is critical to your success, wherever your path might lead after graduation. While the basis of this perspective begins with your academic and extracurricular choices on campus, our goal is for all Scholars to have at least one international study, service, research, or internship experience.

Education Abroad Fund Your Travel
Schreyer Scholar Markea Dickinson looking over a cliff during study abroad in Argentina

Distinctive Honors Experiences Signature Travel Programs

The Schreyer Honors College's signature international programs are even older than the Honors College itself. Our London Study Tour started way back in 1984, under Penn State's University Scholars Program. Today, we offer semester, summer, and short-term programs that have one thing in common — they provide the same level of honors enrichment that Scholars expect from honors courses.

London Study Tour Musical Theatre & Drama

Program Summary

The London Study Tour embarks on its 38th year! Professor Raymond Sage of Penn State's School of Theatre will organize and guide the tour, and teach its course component, Theatre 490H.

Theatre-going forms the heart of the LST and of its academic identity. London is the outstanding theatre city of the English-speaking world, offering consistently superb choices in classic plays, contemporary and avant-garde theatre, musical theatre, opera and dance. Students will see a minimum of twelve theatre and dance performances: some will be purchased in advance by the instructor, and others will be selected by participants from a wide range of choices. As a complement to the theatre core, the LST's faculty leaders will provide students with an orientation to London and its history, culture and sights.

Course Design

This course is designed for the student who is interested in observing a culture politically, theoretically, ethically, religiously, socially, and philosophically through live musical theatre and drama. Prior to arrival, each student selected for the course will choose a specific area of diversity to explore, such as race, gender, sexuality, politics, religion, ritual or science. The student will research the issue as it "plays out" in the United States and in the United Kingdom/Ireland. Issue choices will be discussed at the first of the mandatory meetings in late spring semester.

Once in London, prior personal research on specific diversity issues will act as a foundation for personal observations of both a culture in practice and the practice of theatre within a culture. The personal observations will be applied to journal work and post-performance discussions. Ongoing observations will be shared in informal settings over the two-week course, and an assessment of individual explorations will be based upon a journal, the post-show discussions, and the seminar paper.

Enrollment

Students accepted for the LST will be enrolled for 3 credits of Theatre 490H in the summer.

Pre-Departure Seminars

Students will be required to attend several preparatory meetings and on-campus theatre performances during the second half of the spring semester (please see syllabus). Information on these meetings and performances will be provided as part of the application process. Arrangements can be made for accepted students at other campuses to meet pre-departure requirements.

Course Work

Student journals will be read in two stages: the first half will be read by Professor Sage while in London, and the second half will be turned in soon after our return to the United States. Students will be given a participation grade, which evaluates your level of inquisitiveness and positive contributions to discussions and other group activities.

The final project will be a personal exploration of a specific issue of diversity and inclusion/exclusion in the United States and the United Kingdom, and how theatre practices can help make conversations about social issues visible in unique and impactful ways.

Travel

Transportation to and from the United Kingdom is handled by the student.

Eligibility

This program is for Scholars in all majors, and at any Penn State campus, who want an intensive academic and cultural experience in the theatre capital of the English-speaking world.

Estimated Costs

Three credits of summer undergraduate tuition/fees, program fee $3,000, transportation to London (purchased by student), estimated in-country costs of $600-$800. Program fee includes lodging, shows and cultural visits (Westminster Abbey, Greenwich, Parliament, Tower of London, and Stratford for example), transportation allowance, and welcome and farewell meals. Summer tuition is charged at in-state, lower-division rates for all students. Schreyer Scholars will receive a refund of $2,000 via scholarship for the program fee upon confirmed program commitment, reducing their effective program fee to $1,000. Additional need-based funding may be available for Schreyer Scholars; for more information, contact Sarah Lyall-Combs.

Application Process

Applications, through the Penn State Education Abroad website, must be submitted by January 24, 2024. Decisions will be released by February 7, 2024, and the commitment deadline is February 26, 2024. Please check the Education Abroad program page for any changes to this timeline.

Big Ben in London
Overview
  • Maymester (May 7-28, 2024)
  • London, England
  • All Scholars and Paterno Fellows
  • Raymond Sage
  • THEA 490H (3 credits)

Cambodia Study Tour Non-Profit Organizations and Cambodian Youth

Program Summary

Life in Cambodia is rapidly changing. While still struggling with widespread poverty, its economic growth is among the fastest in the world over the last two decades. This rapid economic growth has huge implications for youth and young adults as they adapt to the changing economic opportunities and educational choices. These opportunities and choices exist against the backdrop of both current cultural changes that comes with globalization and the still recent historical trauma of Cambodia’s Khmer Rouge Genocide of the 1970s, which killed nearly a quarter of its population, then its subsequent decade long occupation by Vietnam.

This class will provide students with background information on the recent history and culture of Cambodia and give students in-depth experiences with local non-profit organizations that assist youth and young adults as they adapt to their rapidly changing world.

The travel component will occur in May of 2024 and be centered in and around the city and of Siem Reap, a mid-sized city in northwest Cambodia that provides both employment and educational opportunities for the region. The many local non-profit organizations that that are based in Siem Reap will provide our class the opportunity to visit and interact directly with these organizations’ staff on the sites where they support youth’s and young adults’ educational journeys.

Because Siem Reap is situated near the seat of the ancient Khmer Empire, which dominated Southeast Asia over a thousand years ago, the travel component of this class will provide students the opportunity to learn about the current challenges confronting youth and young adults in Cambodia while immersing themselves in the Khmer culture and history that define Cambodia’s past and ground its future path. Students’ time in Siem Reap will be spent learning onsite from local non-profit organizations and visiting and learning about the world-famous cultural sites at the center of the ancient Khmer Empire. These sites include Angkor Wat, which is considered to be the largest religious structure in the world, and Bayon, with its huge representations of Buddhist deities.

Students will earn 3.25 credits for this experience by registering for HDFS 497 in the spring semester for 3 credits and HDFS 499 for .25 credit during the summer session. There will be seven 1-hour classes during the spring 2024 semester in which students will learn about the history of Cambodia and the different organizations that we will visit. Once we have selected the students for the course, we will coordinate the class meeting time based on everyone's availability.

Itinerary
Travel

There will be a recommended flight to/from Siem Reap, but participants are responsible for making their own arrangements and for arriving within the time window specified.

Eligibility

This program is open to all Penn State students, at any campus and in any major. Priority will be given to Schreyer Honors Scholars and Paterno Fellows.

Estimated Costs

For travel in Summer 2024, students be charged a “flat rate” for the associated 0.25 credit course rather than paying regular tuition. The flat rate will be $200 for both in-state and out-of-state students. There is also a $3,410 program fee which includes hotel accommodations (double occupancy), daily breakfast, welcome and farewell dinners, transportation within Cambodia including airport transfers, and select cultural site visits (subject to change). Schreyer Scholars will receive a refund of $1,800 (subject to change) via scholarship toward this fee. Additional need-based funding may be available for Schreyer Scholars; for more information, contact Sarah Lyall-Combs.

Out of pocket expenses include roundtrip airfare to Cambodia, site visits and meals not covered by the program fees, passport, visa processing, optional travel insurance, personal expenses, and cost of COVID testing.

Application Process

Complete the application form and return by e-mail attachment to both Dr. Hobart Cleveland and Ms. Sarah Lyall-Combs by 5:00 PM on Friday, December 1, 2023.

Tentative Itinerary

To be determined.

Angkor Wat in Cambodia
Overview
  • Maymester (May 7-28, 2024)
  • Cambodia
  • All Penn State students with priority given to Schreyer Scholars and Paterno Fellows
  • Bo Cleveland
  • HDFS 497 (3 credits) and HDFS 499 (0.25 credits)

Portugal Study Tour The Governance of Illicit Drugs and Health Policy in Portugal

Program Summary

Portugal was facing an opioid crisis in the late 1990s similar to what the United States is currently experiencing. Their response to the crisis was an innovative approach never before seen in Europe: in 2000, they decriminalized all illicit drugs and vastly expanded drug treatment. As a result of this public health approach, illicit drug use and related crime decreased, more people accessed treatment, and the “crisis” essentially ended. The proposed interdisciplinary course will have students examine Portugal's policies toward illicit drugs, both historical and contemporary, and the interconnections of law, criminal justice, and health policy. Students will critically analyze Portugal's approach to handling illicit drug use and compare their strategy with the United States' drug control policies.

Students will interact with Portuguese individuals and institutions that deal with drug issues, allowing them to analyze many Portuguese drug strategies that do not exist in the United States. Students will learn about the history of the United States' drug control strategies before arriving in Portugal, giving them the tools they need to critically examine Portugal's policies in a comparative perspective.

Students will earn 3.25 credits for this experience by registering for CRIMJ 497 in the spring semester for 3 credits and CRIMJ 499 for .25 credit in the summer session. The coursework for the spring CRIMJ 497 course will be online, asynchronous. Students will learn about the history of drug policies in the United States and contemporary drug issues. There will be several Zoom meetings before the May departure to Portugal where students will be encouraged to attend and meet the professor and other students participating in the program.

The travel component to Lisbon, Portugal will occur in May 2024, where students will meet Portuguese experts in drug policy and visit sites related to these topics. Students will also participate in cultural experiences, including a guided tour of Lisbon and a Fado concert.

About Portugal

Portugal is a European country located on the Iberian Peninsula. It is a relatively small country (smaller than Pennsylvania) with a population of about 10 million people. Portugal is famous for its 16th-19th century architecture, beautiful beaches, and world-renowned food and wine. It is also considered one of the least expensive destinations in Western Europe.

Travel

There will be a recommended flight to/from Lisbon, but participants are responsible for making their own arrangements and for arriving within the time window specified.

Eligibility

This program is open to all Penn State students, at any campus and in any major. Priority will be given to Schreyer Honors Scholars and Paterno Fellows.

Estimated Costs

For travel in Summer 2024, students be charged a “flat rate” for the associated 0.25 credit course rather than paying regular tuition. The flat rate will be $200 for both in-state and out-of-state students. There is also a $2325 program fee which includes hotel accommodations (double occupancy), daily breakfast, airport transfer upon arrival and departure, welcome and farewell dinner, intra city transportation, and select cultural site visits. Schreyer Scholars will receive a refund of $1,500 via scholarship toward this fee. Additional need-based funding may be available for Schreyer Scholars; for more information, contact Sarah Lyall-Combs.

Out of pocket expenses include roundtrip airfare to Lisbon, site visits not covered by the program fees, meals, cost of COVID testing, passport, optional travel insurance, and personal expenses.

Application Process

Complete the application form and return by e-mail attachment to both Dr. Jennifer Murphy and Ms. Sarah Lyall-Combs by 5:00 PM on Friday, December 1, 2023.

Tentative Itinerary
May 12
Arrival
May 13
Orientation, Welcome Lunch, City Tour
May 14
Survival Portuguese Class with trip to the market, Introduction to drug policy and historical context
May 15
The implementation of Portuguese Drug Policy
May 16
Field class with local law enforcement, Methadone vans
May 17
Field class to Casal Ventoso, Visit to CRESCER for field activity/community engagement
May 18
Faculty-organized trip to Cascais
May 19
TBD
May 20
Visit to EMCDDA, Farewell dinner w/Fado Show
May 21
Visit to GAT, Wrap-up
May 22
Departure
Wide view of Lisbon, Portugal
Overview
  • Maymester (May 12-22, 2024)
  • Portugal
  • All Penn State students with priority given to Schreyer Scholars and Paterno Fellows
  • Jennifer Murphy
  • CRIMJ 497 (3 credits) and CRIMJ 499 (0.25 credits)

Ireland Study Tour The Culture of Deliberative Democracy in Ireland

Program Summary

The Penn State McCourtney Institute for Democracy awarded the 2019 Brown Democracy Medal to Irish Scholars David Farrell and Jane Suiter who spearheaded various deliberation initiatives that led to the Irish Citizen's Assembly, a landmark exercise in deliberation integrated with the Irish government. The Assembly resulted in tremendous legal and cultural change in Ireland, including the legalization of same-sex marriage and a referendum to lift Ireland's abortion ban. Students will travel to Ireland to learn from Irish scholars and citizens about the cultural, economic, and political context of the Irish Citizens' Assembly.

Course Design

Through readings, lectures, a three-week tour of the country of Ireland, and interviews with citizens and legislators, students will develop an understanding and point of view of the significance of deliberation as instrumental to political, cultural, and constitutional change. Working in groups, students will articulate their understanding through twelve-fifteen-minute documentaries that emphasize salient, relevant, and interesting insights about the social and political impact of the Irish Citizens' Assembly.

In addition to visiting iconic Irish landmarks and meeting poets, musicians, and historians, students will consider the elements of Irish culture which have made the Citizens' Assemblies so successful.

Enrollment

Students will be enrolled in CAS 299H, The Culture of Deliberative Democracy in Ireland, 3 credits (honors).

Eligibility

This program is open to all Penn State students.

Estimated Costs

Three credits of summer undergraduate tuition/fees, $3000 program fee, education abroad administrative fee ($150), transportation to Ireland (purchased by student), estimated in-country costs of $1600 (meals and personal expenses). The program fee includes lodging, in-country transportation, select cultural experiences, and select meals. Summer tuition is charged at in-state, lower-division rates for all students. Schreyer Scholars will receive a refund of $1,000 via scholarship for the program fee by completing an application in SRS.

Application Process

Applications, through the Penn State Education Abroad website, must be submitted by January 24, 2024. Decisions will be released by February 7, 2024, and the commitment deadline is February 26, 2024. Please check the Education Abroad program page for any changes to this timeline.

Potato Famine memorial statues in Ireland
Overview
  • Maymester (May 13-June 3, 2024)
  • Dublin, Ireland
  • All Penn State Students
  • Lori Bedell and Jessica O’Har
  • CAS 299H (3 credits)

South Korea Study Tour World Media Systems

The embedded experience will not be offered in 2024.
Program Summary

South Korea is one of the fastest developing economies in the world, and the global popularity of its cultural exports of pop culture, entertainment, music, TV dramas, movies, cosmetics, cuisines and lifestyles (also known as the Korean Wave or hallyu) makes it an interesting and important subject-matter in both academic and popular discussion about media and creative industries.

The trip to South Korea during the Spring Break 2023 is an intensive travel and learning experience about the media history, microeconomy, creative industries, and popular cultures of South Korea. You will visit historical and cultural sites, walk around Seoul and learn about local microeconomy, visit media and startup companies and interact with media professionals, have guest lectures on popular culture and interact with local students.

The travel component is integrated into the three-credit course COMM419 World Media Systems. This course is designed to train you to think critically using analytical tools to compare and assess media systems in different countries, focusing on how political, economic, and socio-cultural environments influence media ownership, news industry, and digital transformation. We use an interdisciplinary analytic framework that intermixes media studies, history, politics, and sociology in this course.

Information Session
About South Korea

South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea, is an East Asian country located in the southern part of the Korean peninsula. The capital city Seoul is the world’s 5th largest metropolis with a population of 26 million. South Korea has a robust democracy with elections and power rotations. The rise of the Korean Wave as a global phenomenon has significantly contributed to the development of its media and creative industries, tourism, and other cultural exports. South Korea has convenient, safe, and English-friendly transportation systems and public spaces.

Eligibility

This program is open to all Penn State students. Priority will be given to Schreyer Honors Scholars and Bellisario students. Schreyer Scholars who have not taken the prerequisite COMM 410, but are interested in the course, are encouraged to apply, and will be interviewed.

Estimated Costs

The program fee is $2,200 which includes hotel accommodations (double occupancy) in downtown Seoul, daily breakfast, welcome and farewell dinner, airport transfer upon arrival and departure, bus transfer for select site visits, select cultural site visits, and public transportation cards. Schreyer Scholars will receive a refund of $1,000 via scholarship toward this fee upon completion of the trip. Additional need-based funding may be available for Scholars; for more information, contact Sarah Lyall-Combs.

Out of pocket expenses include roundtrip airfare to Seoul ($1,200-$1,500), site visits not covered by the program fees, meals, cost of COVID testing, passport, optional travel insurance, and personal expenses.

Application Process

Students who have completed the prerequisite course can start to register for COMM419H.

For those who are interested in the program without completing the prerequisite, please fill out the application form and return it by e-mail attachment to both Dr. Sara Liao and Ms. Sarah Lyall-Combs. Decisions will be made on a rolling basis after application submission; the academic department will facilitate course registration.

Accepted students will have through the end of drop/add for the spring 2023 semester to finalize their participation.

Tentative Itinerary
March 3
Departure from the U.S.
March 4
Arrive in Seoul, South Korea. Welcome dinner and program orientation.
March 5
Walking tour of Bukchon Hanok Village; Gyeongbokgung Palace visit (history)
March 6
DMZ (Demilitarized Zone) tour (buffer zone between North and South Korea)
March 7
Gwangiang market visit (local microeconomy) and Korean cooking class
March 8
Arirang TV visit and startup media company visit (media and creative industry)
March 9
Digital Media City visit and Samsung Innovation Museum visit (media and creative industry)
March 10
Korean Wave guest talk; interaction with local students. K-pop dancing workshop.
March 11
Self-exploration day and farewell dinner
March 12
Leave Seoul, South Korea for the U.S.
Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul, South Korea
Overview
  • Spring Break (March 3-12, 2023)
  • Seoul, South Korea
  • All Penn State students (priority for Schreyer Scholars and Bellisario students)
  • Sara Liao
  • COMM 419H (3 credits)

Volunteer Abroad International Service Learning

After formal study programs, one of the most popular international educational experiences is known as service learning. Service learning is an opportunity for you to go abroad to help an international community or organization, or even the natural environment. These rewarding and challenging experiences are sometimes sponsored by Penn State academic units or student organizations and sometimes self-designed, but most often they are offered by specialized service-learning providers not affiliated with Penn State.

Amizade logo
Habitat for Humanity logo
Global Volunteers logo
IPSL logo
Peace Corps logo
Volunteering for Peace logo
Other Opportunities

Fund Your International Experience Travel Grants

In addition to the significant subsidies the Honors College offers for its own signature international programs, our travel grant program provides funding for Scholars pursuing experiences abroad whether through Penn State or other providers. Each year, we spend well over $250,000 supporting Scholars in their international pursuits.

Apply for a Grant
Schreyer Scholar Lisa Gardner

Schreyer is unique because it provides you with a supportive community of people. The staff help guide you through all the resources and experiences Penn State has to offer and the college provides you with the funding to make them happen.

Lisa Gardner ' 19 Mechanical Engineering

See the World Global Perspective

Education Abroad Fund Your Travel