• Home
• Partner
  Institutions
• Advising
  Info
• Course
  Equivalency
• Scholarships
• Web Links
• Work
  Abroad
• FAQ
• Career Education
• Contact

FAQ

• Where can I study?
• Science students have great options for studying abroad. The Eberly College of Science has committed a significant amount of time to selecting the institutions identified as exchange "partners," and their science curricula are all very sound and well ranked. Partner institutions are located in Canada (in French-speaking Quebec), England, New Zealand and Singapore as well as France, and Germany. Visit the institutions' web sites to get a feel for their course offerings, the characteristics making them special locations for learning more about the culture of their countries, and the length of the study abroad options available.
  
  
• Can I study at other places besides the science "partner" institutions?
• EA offers nearly 150 study abroad options in more than 49 countries. Science students may choose from the complete range of options, but not all locations will provide the science courses required to make similar degree progress as the partner exchanges. Research on the institution of choice should be carefully completed to ensure the courses of interest will be available to you. Science students pursuing a language minor or a minor in another content area may select their study abroad location to complete courses for their minor, rather than concentrating on science courses while abroad.
  
  
• Which semesters should I consider studying abroad?
• Many students will apply during their sophomore years of study and actually go abroad to complete the junior year of their academic programs. Science students also have the option of studying at one of the partner institutions during their sophomore year, and some students will opt to study abroad during their senior year. Basically, study abroad is possible at almost any time during your academic career, with the appropriate planning. See the Advising Information section of this site for a step-by-step guide!
  
  
• How much does it cost?
• Studying at one of the science partner institutions will cost the same in tuition as if you were attending Penn State. These relationships are exchanges, which means while you are studying at the partner institution, one of their students is studying here at PSU. This type of arrangement allows students to pay the tuition at their home institutions, making study abroad more affordable for many students. Visit the EA for a cost estimate sheet for other expenses while abroad, including airfare, books, etc.
  
  
• Why should I study at one of the science "partner" institutions?
• The partner institutions have been selected very carefully for their academic strength, specifically in science. While programs and majors of study vary, all of the institutions have a wide sampling of science courses available. In addition, the partner institutions are located in interesting geographic areas, allowing science students to work on foreign language skills, if they choose (i.e, Strasbourg, France; Marburg, Germany; Montreal, Canada), or allowing them to remain in an English-speaking country, but in a more urban environment than Penn State provides (i.e., Leeds, England; Montreal, Canada; Wellington, New Zealand; Singapore), or in a locale representative of the culture of the country frequently near to significant historical or geographical points of interest (i.e., Bath, England; Lancaster, England; Brighton, England). In short, the sample of partner insitutions offers something for every interest or taste!
  
  
• Who should I contact for more information?
• All advising and applications for study abroad are coordinated through the Office of Education Abroad (EA) in 410 Boucke. Visit them for general program information, to meet with an International Programs advisor, or to review their library of information on the various study abroad locations. If you have a science-related query, feel free to contact Susan Knell in 108 Whitmore Lab.
  
  
• How do I figure out which courses to take?
• You first need to decide what you would like to accomplish while abroad. Do you want to make similar degree progress in your science courses, as if you were still here in Happy Valley, or do you want to focus on fulfilling General Education course requirements or course requirements toward a minor? Once that has been decided, you need to think about location - where do you want to study? After you've narrowed your choices down to a few options (the world is a big place!), then you should start looking at the degree programs and course offerings at the locations that interest you. A meeting with your academic advisor will help you to determine which types of courses you want to seek out. Once you know what you're looking for, it makes the search a lot easier!
  
  Course equivalency information for the partner institutions is under development, so please refer back to this list periodically. It will continue to be updated as the academic year progresses, but should not take the place of individual meetings with your academic advisor to discuss your academic plan for studying abroad.
  
  The library in 410 Boucke will be an invaluable resource, and you will find many institutions have their course offerings on-line, just like Penn State. Use the Course Equivalency Information section of this site, the Course Accreditation List on the EA web site, and the partner institutions' course information to get started with your search.
  
  
• Will my grades transfer?
• When you study abroad at a partner institution, or any Penn State program, your grades will be transferred and will appear on your Penn State transcript. If you study abroad through a non-Penn State program (an opportunity you seek out on your own), you will need to work with the Office of Admissions to transfer your credits, but not your grades, to your Penn State transcript.
  
  
• When are the application deadlines?
• Application deadlines vary depending on the program. However, many academic year or Fall programs have a late January/early February deadline, and many Spring programs have a September deadline. Summer program deadlines are usually in February or March. Please visit www.international.psu.edu for complete program information including deadlines.