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  1. Home
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Study Away

Study away programs provide opportunities for students to be challenged by learning in social and cultural environments very different from those in which they grew up and traditionally study.

A compass on a map with pins in it.

A Message from the Office of Study Away

The staff of the Penn State Altoona Office of Study Away is optimistic that you have not lost your sense of curiosity and adventure!

We are pleased to announce that, effective August 1, 2021, the University-wide international travel suspension has been lifted to some degree with a modification to the approach Penn State used for travel to restricted destinations prior to the pandemic. In addition to the information available through Risk Management and Travel Safety Network, additional information will be collected e.g. Academic Continuity Plan, Emergency Action Plan, COVID-19 Vaccination Attestation Requirement. Note, any travel to countries categorized as U.S. Department of State travel advisory level 3 or 4 must be reviewed by the International Restricted Travel Committee (IRTC), who will submit a recommendation to the Vice Provost for Global Programs and the Provost.

The Office of Study Away at Penn State Altoona believes that all interested students, regardless of major, should have the opportunity to spend a 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 explaining the credit process. 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.

  • Beth Seymour, Study Away Coordinator
    [email protected] | 814-949-5335
  • Victoria Hesser, Study Away Program Assistant
    [email protected] | 814-949-5212

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 an annual or biennial basis. On this page, you'll find descriptions of regularly offered Penn State Altoona programs.

Oaxaca Mexico

Maymester in Mexico

May 14–June 5, 2022

The program offers a hands-on learning experience to build linguistic and cultural competencies. Classroom and community-based interactions will explore equity-minded and social justice dispositions and instill leadership skills. Students will receive language instruction in Spanish or Zapotec—an indigenous language widely spoken in the state of Oaxaca—and will have the opportunity to build language skills in daily life with a Mexican host family and friends.

Learn About Maymester in Mexico
Image from Dublin Ireland

Ireland: Frederick Douglass Global Fellowship

Summer 2022

Frederick Douglass Global Fellows will explore conflict and injustice from various perspectives and the leaders who sought to affect positive change for their communities and their countries. Fellows will return to America with new perspectives on how effective leaders influence positive social change and inspired to be the catalyst for positive change in their communities and in our world.

Learn About the Frederick Douglass Global Fellowship
A museum in London

London Calling: Ordering the World

May 21–30, 2023
An eight-day experience designed for the English and History major curious about British history and culture. Provides students the opportunity to enhance their knowledge and understanding of British literature, history, and culture through visiting key sites in the Greater London area.

  • Available to English and history majors of any class standing.
  • Contact Laura Rotunno at [email protected] or Douglas Page at [email protected].
Learn About London Calling
Monte Cristi, Dominican Republic

Alternative Spring Break: Dominican Republic or Nicaragua (Annually)

Virtual opportunity available for spring 2022. In-person excursion for spring 2023 (TBA).

Outreach360 continues to fulfill its vision to transform the world in which every child is able to pursue a college degree or to be gainfully employed upon reaching adulthood with their Virtual Impact Program opportunities:

  • English Enrichment Volunteer
    Students practice English and gain confidence with small group activities
  • English Teacher
    Gain teaching and leadership skills
  • Lead Teacher
    Gain online international leadership and English as a Foreign Language experience

The opportunities are available to students of any major and class standing seeking an intercultural experience and to release the hero within! For more information, contact Victoria Hesser at [email protected].

Learn About Alternative Spring Break
Rome, Italy

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.
  • Contact Donna Bon at [email protected].
Learn more about the Sheetz Fellows in Europe Program
San Jose, Costa Rica

Hope Partners in Costa Rica (Biennially)

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.
  • Contact Pam Snyder Etters at [email protected].
Learn More About the Hope Partners Program
Ecuador

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.
  • Contact Gail Good at [email protected] or Kitty Mussett at [email protected].
Learn More About Intercultural Studies in Central America
Sungkyunkwan University, South Korea

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
  • Contact Syed Risvi at [email protected]
Learn More about ICSSA
Munich, Germany

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.
  • Contact Jordan Bittner at [email protected].
Learn about the Motorheads program
Havana, Cuba

Nursing Program in Cuba (Annually)

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.
  • Contact  Dede McCreary at [email protected].
Learn About Nursing in Cuba

Study Away

Beth Seymour
Study Away Coordinator
125E Eiche Library
814-949-5335
[email protected]

Victoria Hesser
Program Assistant
125D Eiche Library
814-949-5212
[email protected]

Study Away Grants and Scholarships
Find Out More

Penn State Altoona

3000 Ivyside Park
Altoona, PA 16601
814-949-5000
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