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.
Step 1: Study Abroad 101
Attend an in-person Study Abroad 101 session or view the online Study Abroad 101 module to learn about:
- Program options
- Available regions
- Application deadlines
- Scholarships
- Financial aid
- And much more!
Step 2: Meet With a Peer Adviser
Education Abroad Peer Advisers are Penn State study abroad returnees who have enjoyed their experiences so much that they volunteer their time to advise other students on education abroad opportunities at Penn State. Each Peer Adviser can explain program options, give an overview of the study abroad process, as well as provide information about their experience abroad.
You can find the Peer Advisers in the Education Abroad Resource Room, 422 Boucke Building, University Park, weekdays from 11am - 4pm (while classes are in session). No appointment is necessary - you can just walk right in! The Resource Room also has a wealth of information about studying, living and traveling abroad, as well as books and magazines about topics of interest to students going abroad. Feel free to come by and take a look and chat with the Peer Advisers!
You can also email the Peer Advisers at EducationAbroad@psu.edu or call them at 814-865-5195.
For more information on who the Peer Advisers are and where they studied, check out the Peer Adviser detail page.
Step 3: Find a Program
- Search for and compare programs. Visit our program search page.
- Utilize “advanced search” to compare program courses, dates, cost, and more!
Step 4: Talk to Your Academic Adviser
- Your academic adviser can assist you with formulating an academic plan that will integrate study abroad with your academic timeline. Read more about working with your academic adviser.
- You can also search for a Global Programs Representative in your college or department.
- Not at University Park? See your campus’ Global Programs Representative for guidance on finding a study abroad program that fits your academic plan.
Step 5: Meet with Your College or Campus Representative
Find Your University Park College Representative
The Education Abroad Office 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 excellent resources for students, and can help with the following:
- Selecting a program that will fit with the student's academic plan
- Locating programs, if any, that are tailored to the student's major
- Notifying the student of any college- or department-specific policies regarding study abroad
| 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 | Nimisha Thakur | Global Experiences Coordinator | 418 Kern |
| Engineering | Sara Kuhlman | Coordinator of International Experiences | 208 Hammond |
| Health & Human Development | Abigail Diehl | Assistant Dean HHD | 0325 HHD Building |
| Angela K. Miller |
Director, Undergraduate Recruiting & Student Engagement |
E131 Westgate | |
| The Liberal Arts | Chelsea Keen | Global Experiences Coordinator, Career Enrichment Network | 101 Sparks |
| Smeal College of Business | Maureen Desorcie | Assistant Director of International Programs | 202 Business |
| Schreyer Honors College | Richard Stoller | Coord. of Academic Advising/International Programs | 10 Schreyer |
Find Your Commonwealth Campus Representative
Don't wait to learn about Education Abroad! Each of the Penn State campuses has a Global Programs representative that can provide guidance on the study abroad process and help students select a program that fits their academic plan.
| Campus | Name | Title | Office |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abington | Patti Smith | Global Programs Assistant | Conference Center, Room 10 |
| Altoona | Dr. Beth Seymour | Interim Education Abroad Coordinator | 211A Learning Resources Center |
| Beaver | Dr. Robin Bower | Associate Professor of Spanish | 101 Administration Building |
| Berks | Matt Lockaby | Campus Associate for Education Abroad | 311A Gaige Building |
| Dr. Randall Newnham | Associate Professor of Political Science | 309 Gaige Building | |
| Brandywine | Dr. Paul Greene | Assistant Professor of Traditional & Popular Music | 121 Vairo Building |
| DuBois | Dr. Deborah Gill | Assistant Professor of Spanish | 108 Hiller Building |
| Erie (Behrend) | Ruth Pflueger | Director of the Learning Resource Center | 203 Lilley Library |
| Fayette | Dr. Aris Karagiorgakis | Assistant Teaching Professor of Psychology | 206 M Eberly Building |
| Greater Allegheny | Dr. Doug Charles | Professor of History | 109D Main Building |
| Harrisburg | Magdalene Ntonados | Senior Academic Adviser | W-131 Olmstead |
| Marie-Louise Abram | Director of International Programs | C114R Olmstead | |
| Hazleton | Dr. Sherry Robinson | Assistant Professor of Business | A001 Administration Building |
| Lehigh Valley | Dr. Mike Krajsa | Assistant Professor of Psychology | Academic Building |
| Mont Alto | Somjit Barat | Associate Professor, Baccalaureate/Associate Business Programs, Marketing | 201 Goddard House |
| New Kensington | Melba Amador Medina | Instructor, Social Sciences and Education | Administration Building 107A |
| Schuylkill | Judy Lenick | Academic Adviser | 001 Clietti Memorial Library |
| Shenango | Jammie Clark | Assistant Director of Student Affairs | 103 Sharon Hall |
| Wilkes-Barre | Dr. Albert Lozano-Nieto | Director of Academic Affairs | 206H Hayfield House |
| World Campus | Dr. Ashley Adams | Director of Student Affairs - World Campus | 223F Outreach Building, UP |
| Worthington-Scranton | Dr. Beatriz Rivera-Barnes | Assistant Professor of Spanish and Interim Coordinator of International Programs | 213 Dawson |
| York | Dr. Cecilia Heydl-Cortinez | Associate Professor of Spanish & Portuguese | Main Building |
Step 6: Meet with an Education Abroad Adviser
- Make an appointment to discuss your program or country of interest in greater detail.
- Each adviser works with a specific regional portfolio, so be sure to meet with the appropriate adviser!
Step 7: Research Funding
- Funding opportunities are available to study abroad students through scholarships.
- Global Programs, individual college and academic departments, and other resources outside the university all have scholarships available.
Step 8: Submit Your Application!
- Read the instructions on our How to Apply page
- Be sure to complete all requirements by the application deadline for the term you are applying. Best of luck!
