Steps to Study Abroad

The planning stages outlined below will help you have the best study abroad experience possible. We recommend that you begin this process at least one year prior to the semester you plan on studying abroad.

Make an Academic Plan

  • Education Abroad Course Planning Tool: Use this tool to put together a list of primary and alternate courses that fit into your 4-year academic plan. 

  • Working with your academic adviser: Bring the completed Education Abroad Course Planning Tool to your academic adviser to discuss how the courses you plan to take abroad will fit into your degree requirements. 

  • College Representatives:  Many Penn State colleges have advisers that can help you choose a program that matches your personal and academic goals. These advisers can also help 2+2 students planning to transfer to University Park.  

Find Your University Park College Representative

Education Abroad encourages all students to contact the international programs/study abroad coordinator in their respective college on the University Park campus while planning a study abroad program. These coordinators are an excellent resource for students and can help with the following:

  • Selecting a program that will fit with the student's academic plan
  • Identifying programs that are tailored to the student's major
  • Notifying the student of any college- or department-specific policies regarding study abroad
Global Programs University Park College Representatives
College Name Title Office
Agricultural Sciences Ketja Lingenfelter Assistant Director for Student Global Engagement 135 Ag. Admin
Arts & Architecture Kyrie Harding Academic Advising Manager 104 Borland
Bellisario College of Communications Mary Sergeant Academic Adviser 204 Carnegie
Division of Undergraduate Studies (DUS) Patricia Schempp Academic Adviser 121 Grange
Education Leila Bradaschia Director of International Programs 233 Chambers
Earth & Mineral Sciences Michael Gordon Academic Adviser 014 Deike
Eberly College of Science Joel Waters Coordinator of Education Abroad and International Programs 418 Kern
Engineering Sara Kuhlman Coordinator of International Experiences  208 Hammond
Health & Human Development Dennis Shea Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies and Outreach 345 HHD Building
Information Science & Technology Angela K. Miller Director, Undergraduate Recruiting & Student Engagement E131 Westgate
The Liberal Arts Brandon McCartney Global Experiences Coordinator 101 Sparks
Smeal College of Business Elizabeth Labrin International Programs Coordinator (Academic Adviser) 202 Business
Schreyer Honors College Richard Stoller Coord. of Academic Advising/International Programs 10 Schreyer