Aniya Childers, a senior majoring in health policy and administration with a minor in sociology at Penn State Harrisburg, participated in an Alternative Spring Break trip to Hawaii in a campus partnership with GIVE Volunteers. “This experience has not only pushed me out of my comfort zone but it allowed me to immerse myself in a new culture while reminding me of the importance of humility and global responsibility," Childers said. "Through introspection and community service, I've discovered that, although we are only a small part of a larger globe where every choice we make has an influence, we can occasionally be incredibly self-centered and only consider our roles in our local communities.”
Asher Talty, a first-year student studying political science and philosophy at University Park, traveled to Egypt as part of his ARAB 099/499 course offered through the College of the Liberal Arts. “Not only did I have the chance to use my language skills in the real world, but I gained a new appreciation for the Arab world’s culture, history, traditions and people," Talty said. "This trip was an unforgettable experience that has brought my Arabic studies to life in a way I never imagined.”
Alyssa Brown, a first-year student studying accounting and finance at Penn State Berks, joined other University students from the Berks and Abington campuses on a service trip to Puerto Rico. The students volunteered at two different farms, one at which they planted kidney beans and the other at which they learned about the history of coffee beans in the region; learned about the island’s history and immersed themselves in its culture; and assisted at a nonprofit animal shelter and volunteered as Flight Angels to bring 10 adopted dogs — which have an overpopulation in Puerto Rico — to the United States. “To experience Puerto Rico through the intentionally chosen rhythms of local life was heart-awakening. Every moment — every meal, every smile, every act of care — felt purposeful," Brown said. "In the States, some days the only smile I see is the one I give myself in the mirror before leaving the house. But in Puerto Rico, I never once felt that loneliness. The culture breathes togetherness. Strangers greet you like family. Love is loud and ever-present.” Read more about the trip on Penn State News.
Anwi Tadzong, a sophomore majoring in biomedical engineering at University Park, participated in a Penn State Alternative Breaks trip to Ashville, North Carolina, to provide relief following Hurricane Helene, which devastated the area in September 2024. Tadzong and other volunteers collaborated with Community Organized Relief Effort (CORE) to rebuild destroyed homes; planted more than 140 tree saplings to help restore the 40% of the area’s trees that were destroyed by the hurricane; prepared hot meals local veterans; and packaged approximately 700 food bags for local schoolchildren. “This service trip reinforced and strengthened my desire and passion for service. The lessons I learned from pulling out nails and staples for eight hours straight were far greater than I could have imagined," Tadzong said. "Regardless of my degree and career, what drives me is the hope that because of something I did, tomorrow will be better than today. It is in our hands to create the future we want to see. I am truly honored to have taken part in such life-changing service, and I know this is just the one of many more to come.”
A group of Penn State Scranton students traveled to Luquillo, Puerto Rico, where they took part in community service efforts as part of the campus' Alternative Spring Break program. The students worked in multiple communities restoring community centers, fixing sidewalks, working on future schoolhouses for children, cleaning up trash on the beach and digging trenches alongside hiking trails. Read more about the trip at scranton.psu.edu.
Yeyya Wane, a fourth-year student double majoring in broadcast journalism and political science, traveled to Almaty, Kazakhstan, as part of the COMM 402: International Reporting course in the Bellisario College of Communications. She is pictured here with Steve Kraycik, associate teaching professor of journalism and director of student television, who participated in the trip. Students gained hands-on experience in reporting, through anchoring, filming and talking to local experts. They learned about kokpar, one of the oldest nomadic games; interviewed sources about Uighur culture in Almaty; and investigated geopolitical forces shaping politics in Kazakhstan and the region. "Being an international reporter is my dream job," said Wane. "This experience taught me how to report on stories with cultural sensitivity." The trip to Kazakhstan was one of three experiential learning opportunities offered as part of embedded courses in the Bellisario College of Communications this spring. Learn more about students’ experiences in Kazakhstan, Bulgaria and Mexico City on Penn State News and on Facebook.
Jose Armando Murphy, who earned a bachelor’s degree in business from Penn State Lehigh Valley in 2020 and completed his MBA at Penn State Harrisburg in May 2025, participated in a finance study tour in London with classmates and faculty members over spring break. The trip included meetings at financial institutions such as Barclays, ICE (Intercontinental Exchange), London Metal Exchange and Lloyd's of London; tours of the city’s financial district; and excursions to Oxford University and Mersea Island. “As a first-generation student this entire experience was eye opening, and it’s something that I will cherish forever," Murphy said. "I have a true appreciation and grasp of what finance and insurance companies do from a business standpoint and what that entails.”
A group of online learners from Penn State World Campus and students from Penn State Schuylkill took an immersive trip to Copenhagen, Denmark, as part of their "MGMT 345: Cultural Intelligence in Leadership and Management" course this spring. In the course, students learned the concepts of how national culture can influence the workplace, leadership styles, operations and communication of businesses in different countries. They used Hydro, a leading aluminum and renewable energy company with 32,000 employees in 40 countries, as a case study of how a multinational corporation can adapt to local customs while maintaining a global identity. The students toured a Hydro plant in Pennsylvania in February and visited Hydro facilities in Denmark and experienced Danish culture over spring break. Read more about their experience in Denmark on Penn State News.
Kaelonnah Darlich, a sophomore studying biology in the Eberly College of Science and a Millennium Scholar, traveled to the Florida Keys as part of BIOL 483, where she conducted hands-on research and gained invaluable fieldwork experience at the Key Largo Marine Research Laboratory. “Before the trip, I participated in several lab sessions focused on molecular biology and sequencing techniques, which laid a strong foundation for our field work in Key Largo. As part of the course, our class was divided into research teams to explore diverse topics. My group focused on analyzing environmental DNA (eDNA) to investigate the bacterial communities associated with the upside-down jellyfish (Cassiopea xamachana)," Darlich said. "This was a valuable hands-on research experience through which I gained practical skills, lasting friendships, and a deeper understanding of marine science. The course reaffirmed my goal of pursuing a PhD in marine biology, fostering a greater appreciation for the ecosystems I hope to study and protect.”
Grace Bonnell, a sophomore studying industrial engineering at University Park, traveled to Taipei, Taiwan, for the Entrepreneurship Business Fundamentals embedded global program at Penn State. “I loved experiencing the culture of the vibrant city of Taiwan firsthand and learning a small part of its history as we visited museums and toured the city of Taipei," Bonnell said. "We went on educational excursions at various companies located in Taiwan, including the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) — which is the largest company in Taiwan — ViewSonic, Taiwan Electronic System Design Automation (TESDA), and OnLogic. We also got a tour of Taiwan Tech Arena, which is Taiwan’s flagship startup ecosystem building program.”
Forty members of the Dairy Science Club in the College of Agricultural Sciences traveled to the Netherlands to learn about global agriculture and explore a new culture. During the trip, the club members visited small family-owned farms and larger facilities. All the site visits highlighted the Dutch dairy industry’s commitment to cow comfort, profitability and environmental awareness. The club's annual spring break trip alternates between domestic and international locations, giving members the opportunity to combine their interest in dairy science with the development of skills and knowledge on a global level. Read more about the trip on Penn State News.
Bhagawat Dulal, a senior studying computer science at Penn State Harrisburg, traveled to Germany as part of a faculty-led embedded course. The tour, which focused on World War II history, included exploring Nuremberg; seeing the Dachau concentration camp site; viewing exhibits at the Obersalzberg Documentation Center; viewing art at Neues Schloss Schleibheim; and standing atop Zugspitze, the tallest peak in Germany. “The trip to Germany through study abroad was an amazing experience," Dulal said. "Seeing the history and culture up close taught me so much, and it’s something I’ll always remember."
Penn State Altoona students traveled to Loíza, Puerto Rico through the campus’ Alternative Spring Break program. In this picture, they take a break for a quick pose during clean-up efforts at a local Boys & Girls Club. Soon after, the youth participants arrived on site for their after-school program, during which the Penn State students engaged with them by playing Bingo, shooting hoops, playing soccer and simply being in the moment with them.
During spring break, many Penn State students spent time enriching their education in faraway places or making an impact in communities around the world through a variety of experiential learning opportunities offered through the University — from providing hurricane relief in North Carolina, to gaining hands-on international reporting experience in Kazakhstan, to practicing speaking Arabic in Egypt. This photo gallery highlights a variety of experiences in which students from campuses across the commonwealth participated this spring.
