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
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.
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.
Students accepted for the LST will be enrolled for 3 credits of Theatre 490H in the summer.
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.
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 TBD, transportation to London (purchased by student), estimated in-country costs of $600-$800. Program fee includes lodgings, shows and select admission fees, transportation in London, and select meals. Summer tuition is charged at in-state, lower-division rates for all students. Scholars will receive a refund of $1,000 via scholarship for the program fee.
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.
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.
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 (tentative) for both in-state and out-of-state students. There is also a program fee (TBD) which includes hotel accommodations (double occupancy) in downtown Lisbon, daily breakfast, welcome and farewell dinner, and select cultural site visits (subject to change). Schreyer Scholars will receive a refund of $1,500 (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 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. Hobart Cleveland and Ms. Sarah Lyall-Combs by 5:00 PM on Friday, December 1, 2023.
Tentative Itinerary
To be determined.
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. There will be four Zoom sessions (each 1 hour) during the spring semester where students will learn about the history of drug policies in the United States and contemporary drug issues. Once we have selected the students for the course, we will coordinate the Zoom meeting time based on everyone's availability.
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. There will be several days where students will be able to explore Lisbon attractions on their own or travel to nearby cities or beaches.
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 (tentative) for both in-state and out-of-state students. There is also a program fee (TBD) which includes hotel accommodations (double occupancy) in downtown Lisbon, daily breakfast, airport transfer upon arrival and departure, welcome and farewell dinner, and select cultural site visits. Schreyer Scholars will receive a refund of $1,500 via scholarship toward this fee upon completion of the trip. 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
To be determined
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)
South Korea Study Tour World Media Systems
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 SessionAbout 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.
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.
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