Study Abroad
Through “embedded” courses or numerous study abroad programs at Penn State, students may gain exposure to different situations that help them open their minds, and possibly change their lives. Such experiences prepare students for the global professional environment of the 21st century.
Embedded Programs, Spring 2023
Embedded courses allow students to complement a semester of classroom work with a focused week of study and hands-on work in a foreign country. An embedded course exists in each of our five majors, and those spring semester courses combine a classroom experience on campus with a working spring break trip.
COMM 372 Digital Public Relations
In spring 2023, students in the course will be going to Costa Rica.
The embedded version of COMM 372 enhances your experience with a spring break trip to Costa Rica. For one week you’ll be immersed in the culture, exposed to key industries, and introduced to international business perspectives. You’ll return from Central America with first-hand knowledge on topics such as tourism, sustainability, coffee, and chocolate through the lens of Costa Ricans. Students will attend the in-person course throughout the semester with a full classroom, however only a group of 10 to 15 will be on the spring break trip. You’ll be given alternative assignments in the course to prepare you for the trip and to reflect on the experience. Your travels will be the foundation for a large project building your skills in digital strategy, content creation and evaluation.
Pre-requisite for the course: COMM 271 or 320 or 370
Interested students will need to fill out an online submission form.
COMM 402 International Reporting
This program is designed to give student journalists experience in reporting the news in a foreign country.
In spring 2023, between 12 and 15 students will travel to Estonia. Each student will research, report and produce a significant piece of journalism that touches on some aspect of life in Estonia. We will be based in the capital city of Tallinn, but students could travel to other parts of the country depending on where their story takes them. We are looking for serious students who have mastered the basics of in-depth print reporting, broadcast, photojournalism or multi-media reporting.
In previous years, students in the course have traveled to Brazil, China, Cuba, Greece, Israel, Mexico, Panama, and South Africa.
COMM 419H World Media Systems
In spring 2023, student will travel to South Korea. South Korea is one of the fastest developing economies in the world, and the global popularity of its cultural exports of pop culture, entertainment, music, TV dramas, movies, cosmetics, cuisines, and lifestyles (also known as the Korean Wave or hallyu) makes it an interesting and important subject-matter in both academic and popular discussion about media and creative industries.
The trip to South Korea during the Spring Break 2023 is an intensive travel and learning experience about the media history, microeconomy, creative industries, and popular cultures of South Korea. You will visit historical and cultural sites, walk around Seoul, and learn about local microeconomy, visit media and startup companies, and interact with media professionals, have guest lectures on popular culture and interact with local students.
The travel component is integrated into the three-credit course COMM419 World Media Systems. This course is designed to train you to be a critical thinker with analytical tools to compare and assess media systems in different countries, focus on how political, economic, and socio-cultural environments influence media ownership, news industry, and digital transformation. We use an interdisciplinary analytic framework that intermixes media studies, history, politics, and sociology in this course.
About South Korea
South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea, is an East Asian country located in the southern part of the Korean peninsula. The capital city Seoul is the world’s 5th largest metropolis with a population of 26 million. South Korea has a robust democracy with elections and power rotations. The rise of the Korean Wave as a global phenomenon has significantly contributed to the development of its media and creative industries, tourism, and other cultural exports. South Korea has convenient, safe, and English-friendly transportation systems and public spaces.
Eligibility
This program is open to all Penn State students. Priority will be given to Schreyer Honors Scholars and Bellisario students. Students in the Global and International Studies (GLIS) Minor are welcome to apply. Students who have not taken the prerequisite COMM 410, but are interested in the course, are encouraged to apply, and will be interviewed.
Estimated Costs
The program fee is approximately $2,500-$2,800 which includes, hotel accommodations (double occupancy) in downtown Seoul, daily breakfast, welcome and farewell dinner, airport transfer upon arrival and departure, bus transfer for select site visits, select cultural site visits, and public transportation cards.
Out of pocket expenses include roundtrip airfare to Seoul (approximate $1,200-$1,500), site visits not covered by the program fees, meals, cost of COVID testing, passport, optional travel insurance, and personal expenses.
COMM 426 International and Intercultural Strategic Communications
This course emphasizes developing a methodology for researching international and intercultural strategic communications problems, and then discussing possible communications-based solutions. Real-life applications are explored during the embedded portion of this course in Costa Rica.
COMM 437A International Documentary Production
Students research and produce a short documentary film to be shot during their abroad experience. Filming locations have included England, Ireland, Iceland, Peru and Hungary.
- In spring 2023, students will travel to Israel to produce a short film. You will be paired with an Israeli film student in Jerusalem or Tel Aviv virtually before spring break to work on pre-production on a short film as a director, director of photography, and/or roducer. When you arrive, you will hit the ground running and film the short! You’ll return from the Middle East with first-hand knowledge of the culture, traditions, history, current events, and/or politics through your collaborative lens with local filmmakers. Students will attend the in-person course throughout the semester with a full classroom, however only a group of 10 to 15 will be on the spring break trip. You’ll be given alternative assignments in the course to prepare you for the trip and to reflect on the experience when you return. The trip will be led by your instructor, Pearl Gluck, who will be joined by two or more additional instructors. Interested students need to fill out an online submission form.
COMM 487 (section varies by semester) Advanced Telecommunications Management Leadership
This course compares the histories, politics and industries of different nations and regions; analyzing telecommunications networks, operations and media content with an international focus; cultural and historical understanding. Previous embedded locations have included Cuba, Hungary, the Czech Republic and Guyana.
COMM 497 (section varies by semester) International Telecommunications
This course compares the histories, politics and industries of different nations and regions; analyzing telecommunications networks and media content with an international focus; cultural and historical understanding. Previous embedded locations have included Cuba, Hungary and the Czech Republic.
Study Abroad
A traditional study abroad program will open your mind and change your life. It will also prepare you for the global professional environment of the 21st century.
CzechMates
Students interested in a media related experience during the summer should consider the CzechMates program, an approved program sponsored by Penn State.
For students interested in a semester-long media related experience that includes internship placement, the CzechMates program also offers many opportunities.
Of course, locations around the world with other program provide many options — and many resources exist to support students.
Ireland: Spring Break 2023
Earn credits while traveling internationally with Brandywine Global. For Spring 2023, we’re offering courses that include travel to Ireland during spring break with stops in Dublin, Belfast and Galway.
Courses are offered through Canvas and are open to Penn State students at any campus. You must enroll in at least one course. Registration procedures are different for education abroad. Contact the instructor of the course for registration assistance.
Study Abroad: Resources
- Office of Global Programs
Lists all programs, options and available financial aid.
- Peer Advisers
Students who have studied abroad will consult on a walk-in basis in 422 Boucke Building.
- Education Abroad Advisers (EAAs)
After talking to a peer adviser, make an appointment with an EAA to discuss: choice of program, the application process and financial aid. EAAs are also located in 422 Boucke Building.
- Bellisario College Academic Advising
Advisers in 204 Carnegie Building and the faculty adviser in your major will help make study abroad courses fit your course of study.
Study Abroad: Need to Know
A traditional study abroad program will open your mind and change your life. It will also prepare you for the global professional environment of the 21st century.
Planning and preparation represent a big part of the process when considering study-abroad opportunities.
- Your degree requirements.
See an adviser to go over your degree audit to ensure your abroad program aligns with your graduation plans. - How your credits abroad will count.
Studying through a Penn State international program or through a non-Penn State international program differ in terms of accreditation and transfer of credits. *World Campus is not affiliated with Global Programs and is not an Education Abroad approved study abroad program - Your financial aid situation.
If you wish to receive financial aid or have received financial aid in the past, discuss your study-abroad plans with the financial aid office to understand how studying abroad works with your financial aid qualifications and obligations. Go to the Financial Aid Office, 314 Shields Building, or call 814-865-6301. - Your internship possibilities and obligations.
If there is a possibility of an internship abroad, it is extremely important for you to understand all the internship obligations before going abroad. You must meet with Assistant Dean for Internships and Career Services Bob Martin (208D Carnegie Building, 814-863-4674) prior to going abroad or your internship will not be approved for credit.