Academics

Learn about study abroad opportunities at the Education Abroad Fair on Oct. 17

Students in the horticulture course -- Walking in the Footsteps of the Irish during the Irish Potato Famine: Examinations of New World Crops in Old World Societies -- traveled across Ireland in May, where they studied the history of Irish Potato Famine of 1845, and how the country and agriculture were affected. Here, they are shown in Doolin, near the Cliffs of Moher.  Credit: Penn State / Penn StateCreative Commons

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State students can learn about a world of opportunity by attending the Education Abroad Fair from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Oct. 17 in Alumni Hall in the HUB-Robeson Center at University Park. 

This event brings exhibitors from all over the world and showcases the many opportunities that are available in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences. For those interested in studying abroad, this is the best time to learn about options and ask education-abroad advisers and international course leaders questions, according to Ketja Lingenfelter, assistant director for student global engagement for the college.

"Those who might be apprehensive should know that studying abroad can be one of the most worthwhile, life-changing and meaningful opportunities you can have during college," she said.

Lingenfelter said that students who are not yet ready to study internationally for a whole semester can participate in a short-term international embedded course. This is a way to ease students into traveling internationally with a class and course leader from Penn State.

Representatives from semester and summer programs, as well as faculty who are offering embedded and summer programs, will be represented at the fair, and Lingenfelter will be available to answer questions at the College of Agricultural Sciences table.

Programs vary based on location, duration and time of year. Among programs to be showcased at the event is the two-week agribusiness course in Paris, France, in May, which focuses on policy and current issues in agriculture.

Also represented will be a community, environment and development course that takes students to Kenya. This program focuses on agricultural development and works continuously with a center for former street children to create an "eco-village" where children can live and thrive.

One concern for some students is travel costs, but Lingenfelter noted that there are many resources for funding support, including scholarships through the University, from the college and from external sources. The more time students take to research and apply for funding, the more funding they typically will receive, she said.

Students who are unable to attend the Education Abroad Fair can obtain information about study abroad opportunities through the College of Agricultural Sciences by contacting Lingenfelter at kmw209@psu.edu or by visiting https://global.psu.edu/node/570.

Last Updated October 15, 2018