Despite the necessary suspension of University-sponsored travel for the foreseeable future due to the COVID pandemic, the staff of the Penn State Altoona Office of Study Away is optimistic about the prospect of traveling will indeed return. Along with your sense of curiosity and adventure!
The Office of Study Away at Penn State Altoona believes that all interested students, regardless of major, should have the opportunity to spend spring break, a semester, or a full academic year away from campus on an academic program in a different part of the country or world.
Our office assists students in selecting appropriate study away programs, understanding the financial implications of study away, and ensuring that credits earned away will transfer properly. Students interested in study away for spring break, a semester, or a year may choose from Penn State Altoona sponsored programs or Penn State Global Programs.
Our staff is available to discuss your interest in a Study Away program that fits into your academic career.
Begin your search by visiting the Global Programs website to explore the many long-term (semester, academic year) opportunities offered.
Short-term (spring break, 10-15 day) programs are available through Penn State Altoona. Depending on the program, they occur either on annual or biennial basis. Below are descriptions of regularly offered Penn State Altoona programs.
Alternative Spring Break: Dominican Republic or Nicaragua (Annually)
A ten-day excursion that allows students to experience service-learning by visiting the remote village of Monte Cristi, Dominican Republic, or Jinotega, Nicaragua. Students make lesson plans, teach English to elementary students in their home schools, and/or participate in a sustainable agricultural project. Students also have the opportunity to explore the culture of the region and interact with the citizens.
Available to students of any major and class standing seeking an intercultural experience and to Release the Hero Within!
Entrepreneurship: Sheetz Fellows in Europe (Biennially)
This program is designed for the Sheetz Fellows program at Penn State Altoona, focusing on how entrepreneurial ventures differ from country to country and how these ventures compete not only locally but globally
Available to entrepreneurial majors of junior or senior class standing.
A seven-day excursion allowing students to experience a level of cultural submersion through service to the community. Students are partnered with both Murals Talk (an Altoona based non-profit Art Organization) and Hope Partners, Costa Rica for a unique service opportunity.
Available to students of any major and class standing seeking an intercultural experience through the creative process.
Intercultural Studies in Central America (Annually)
An eight-day program where students have an opportunity to stroll through untouched national parks and experience adventures of a Central American country’s biggest cities as well as the countryside. Students have an opportunity to spend time in ancient ruins and among modern locals. Students travel on vibrantly colored buses to discovering the locale.
Available to Spanish or agricultural majors of any class standing.
International Conference on Software Security and Assurance (ICSSA), South Korea (Annually)
A collaboration between Penn State Altoona, Sungkyunkwan University, South Korea, and St. Polten University, Austria, holding an annual conference that provides a chance for academic and industry professionals to discuss recent progress in the area of software security and assurance ant to explore various facets of software and assurance which have yet to be thoroughly studied.
Available to information sciences and technology majors of any class standing
An eight-day experience in London and surrounding areas allowing students to experience life in London while at the same time increasing their knowledge of British literature, culture, and history in general. Further, history students will be able to see and experience the contributions to history the British have made.
Available to English and history majors of any class standing.
Motorheads: Engineering Program in Southern Germany (Biennially)
A program designed for Electro-Mechanical Engineering Technology (EMET) majors at Penn State Altoona. The focus of the program is to relate the work that students have completed in their design and engineering classes to the hands-on application of the automotive industry in Germany.
Available to EMET majors of junior or senior class standing.
An eight-day program immersing nursing students in the Cuban culture and their healthcare system. Students have the opportunity to visit a number of healthcare facilities and attend guest lectures on the local health system, challenges, and solutions in healthcare and healthcare delivery, as well as health promotion. Service-learning is a component of the program, along with a number of hands-on activities like dance lessons and cooking.
Available to nursing majors of junior or senior class standing.
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