Overview
Eligibility
- 18 years of age or above
- Good academic and disciplinary standing at Penn State
- 2.5 cumulative GPA or better at the time of application
- Sophomore standing or above at the start of the program
- Students should have previously taken HDFS courses (HDFS 129 or 229) or a PSYCH equivalent (PSYCH 212)
Program Description
Session 1: May 16 (leave US on 5/15/21; arrive in Florence on 5/16/2021) to June 11, 2021
Session 2: June 13 (leave US on 6/12/21; arrive in Florence on 6/13/2021) to July 9, 2021
Florence, the birthplace of the Renaissance, is today one of the world's most visited sites. It was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1982 and is considered one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Situated in beautiful Tuscany, Florence contains many museums and art galleries, as well as also being one of the top fifty fashion capitals in the world.
This international program in Human Development and Family Studies offers a unique opportunity for students in HDFS and related fields to explore the sights, sounds, history and culture of contemporary Florence, while taking courses on family and other Italian relationships. With activities that include learning to buy fresh fruit and vegetables in the mercato and exploring how Italians lived during different periods of Italian history, Penn State students will have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience Italian life.
Students will take courses led by Penn State faculty members in conjunction with the International Studies Institute in Florence. Classroom work will be enhanced by trips to places of historical and artistic importance, such as Rome, where they will see the magnificent Coliseum, the Forum, the Vatican, and the Pantheon. Other field trips will include Naples and Pompeii that will allow students to see first-hand the communities that families and children have lived in during the past and live in today.
This program was designed for undergraduate students majoring in Human Development and Family Studies. All the courses being offered can be used as supporting courses for that major. However, students in Early Childhood or Elementary Education would benefit from the program, as would students in Psychology or Sociology, Communication Sciences & Disorders, Biobehavioral Health, Kinesiology, Nursing, and other similar programs.
Although the final deadline for the HDFS program is February 1, 2021, students may be considered by an earlier deadline of December 11, 2020 in order to plan accordingly for the Spring semester. If students apply by the early deadline, they will be notified of acceptance early. Any students who do not apply before December 11, will be considered and will receive notification after the February 1, deadline. Please be aware that the program may fill up by the December 2020 deadline.
Courses are taught by
Ms. Robyn Chotiner, adjunct faculty at Penn State Mont Alto and Penn State New Kensington, is an independent educational consultant with an emphasis on early childhood curriculum and program administration as it relates to licensing and accreditation. She has been a part of the HDFS in Florence summer program for seven years. She is interested in international cultures and practices as they relate to children and family traditions and is counting the days until she returns to Florence!
Dr. Robin Yaure, Professor of Teaching, HDFS, is Program Coordinator of the baccalaureate programs in HDFS and Psychology at Penn State Mont Alto and the Coordinator of the HDFS in Florence 2021 program. She has taught at Penn State for over thirty years. Her teaching has focused on lifespan, child, and family development as well as helping students gain experience in the human services. Her area of research focuses on parenting and infant sleep. She has taught in Italy for ten years and loves to address basic issues of children and their families relating to culture and cognition.
Dates
Summer: Session 1: May 16 (leave US on 5/15/21; arrive in Florence on 5/16/2021) to June 11, 2021
Session 2: June 13 (leave US on 6/12/21; arrive in Florence on 6/13/2021) to July 9, 2021
Program Note
This program may have limited space, so we recommend that you identify an appropriate backup program and complete the Education Abroad Backup Questionnaire in your Penn State Application when applying to this program. Should you not be accepted for your first-choice program, you will automatically be reviewed for your backup choice. For help on choosing an appropriate backup, please contact your education abroad adviser.
Program Costs
[Summer Costs]
Program costs are estimates and subject to change up to the program commitment deadline. If Penn State tuition rates are adjusted for summer 2021, then the education abroad program fee would be scaled accordingly to arrive at the same total billable amount listed on the budget sheet.
For more information on program costs, please be sure to review the budget sheet. These budget sheets include information on costs that are billable to the bursar bill, as well as estimated additional costs. Costs vary by program, so it is important to review this information carefully.
Please note that tuition rates may vary depending on major and class standing.
Scholarships
The Education Abroad Office awards a number of grants and scholarships to students who participate in an education abroad program through Global Programs. The application for the scholarships awarded through the Education Abroad Office is included with your program application. Eligibility is based on academic merit and/or financial need. You must have a current FAFSA on file to be awarded. There are additional scholarship opportunities through our partner universities, Penn State Academic Departments, and other sources. To view a full list of scholarships, eligibility requirements, and deadlines visit Funding Study Abroad.
Student Aid
Penn State students who plan to study on a Penn State approved program can use most forms of financial aid towards the cost of the program. Exceptions include work-study awards and some athletic scholarships. If you have specific questions regarding your aid awards, contact the Penn State Office of Student Aid.
Withdrawal & Refund Policy
Withdrawal and refund details are dependent on the timing and reason for your withdrawal from a Penn State Education Abroad Program. For specific details and steps on how to withdraw, read the Education Abroad Policies.
After Commitment
Once a student has committed to a Penn State Education Abroad program, they are financially responsible for any fees incurred on their behalf. Therefore, if a student plans to withdraw from a program it is their responsibility to immediately notify the Education Abroad office, in writing; email is preferred.
Regardless of the timing or reason for the withdrawal, the student will be responsible for paying the Education Abroad Administrative Fees. For faculty-led freestanding programs, there is a specific withdrawal penalty schedule.
Education Abroad makes every attempt at keeping the program and administrative costs to a minimum. However, when you commit to participating in a program, Education Abroad begins to make financial commitments on your behalf. In case of withdrawal, the following fees will be charged to your Bursar account
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Upon Commitment - 90 Days Prior to Departure: 25% Program Fee + EA Admin Fee
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30 - 89 Days Prior to Departure: 50% Program Fee + EA Admin Fee
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29 Days - Departure Date: 100% Program Fee + EA Admin Fee
Following the start of the summer semester, any adjustment of tuition charges will be made according to the Tuition Adjustment Schedule as determined by the Office of the Bursar. More information can be found on the University Senate Policy on Withdrawal and Leave of Absence.
After the Start of the Program
If a student withdraws after the start of a program, any adjustment of Penn State tuition charges will be made according to the Tuition Adjustment Schedule as determined by the Office of the Bursar. Students may be responsible for up to 100% of program costs. In most cases, partial credit cannot be awarded for leaving a program before its successful completion.
For additional information on withdrawal policies, separate and apart from financial consequences, please consult the University Senate Policy on Withdrawal and Leave of Absence.
