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Dept ENGR: San Sebastian, Tecnun University of Navarra (Exchange Program) (Outgoing Program)

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Fact Sheet:
Fact Sheet:
Click here for a definition of this term Education Abroad Adviser: Brandon McCartney Click here for a definition of this term Housing: Apartment, Dormitory
Click here for a definition of this term Minimum GPA: 3.0 Click here for a definition of this term Class Standing: 3 - Junior
Click here for a definition of this term Graduate/Undergraduate: Undergraduate Type of Program: Exchange
Click here for a definition of this term Language of Instruction: English, Spanish Click here for a definition of this term Language Requirement: 0 semesters
Click here for a definition of this term Internship Available: No Click here for a definition of this term Fields of Study: Aerospace Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering
Program Description:

Overview

Eligibility

  • 18 years of age or above
  • Good academic and disciplinary standing at Penn State
  • 3.0 cumulative GPA or better at the time of application
  • Junior standing or above at the start of the program 
  • This program is only open to students in the College of Engineering
  • Some courses may require advanced Spanish language skills

Program Description 

The University of Navarra is a Catholic University founded in 1952.  Tecnun, the University of Navarra´s School of Engineering, is one of the oldest of engineering schools in Spain. It is located in San Sebastian, a beautiful city on the northern coast of Spain, in the region called the Basque Country. Tecnun has been serving society since 1961 by providing engineering education and degrees to more than 7,000 alumni and conducting applied research for industry. It has also overseen more than 600 doctoral theses in the 55 years of its history as well as 12 spin-off companies.

This institution offers a variety of courses in engineering. Students will enroll in courses with local students at the University. Course registration takes place during the on-site orientation period, so enrollment in particular courses cannot be guaranteed in advance of arrival. Course topics available on this program may include: bioengineering, electrical engineering, engineering science, industrial engineering, and mechanical engineering. Elective courses in the areas of business administration, strategic marketing, and information systems may also be available. The academic structure of the program consists of lectures, design studies, and term reports. Around 40% of courses at the University are taught in English, courses taught in Spanish will require advanced language skills.

Dates

Academic Year: early September - late May
Fall: early September - late December
Spring: late January - late May

Refer to the University of Navarra's website for the specific dates, if available. 

Location

Tecnun, the University of Navarra's School of Engineering, is located in San Sebastian. San Sebastian is a beautiful city on the northern coast of Spain, in the region called as the Basque Country. The Basque Country is a name given to the home of the Basque people in the western Pyrenees which straddles the border between France and Spain on the Atlantic coast. It comprises the Autonomous Communities of the Basque Country and Navarre in Spain and the Northern Basque Country in France. 
 
The Basque Region and its people are well known for their entrepreneurial spirit and the spirit of innovation. This rich and prosperous region has the highest rate of employment and innovation investment within Spain and it always rivals the biggest cities in Spain, Madrid, and Barcelona, in key performance indicators as the Gross Domestic Product (by region).
The Basque Country is home to well-known international companies that design and manufacture rail stock, coaches, automotive components, manufacturing equipment, aeronautical components and wind turbines among other things. The region has a very high level of internationalization, as many of its companies operate in different countries across the globe.

Tecnun shares resources, facilities, and personnel with its associated Research Centre, Ceit-IK4, a renowned multidisciplinary institution with more than 200 researchers that carry out applied research for companies at both the local and international level.

Education Abroad in Countries with a Penn State Restricted Travel Designation

In order to comply with Penn State’s International Travel Policy, students interested in studying abroad in countries that Penn State has designated as “restricted” for travel, a petition for a waiver must be submitted. Once a petition is complete, and if the student is approved for study on the program in question, the student may be asked to meet with the Director of Education Abroad and the petition will be reviewed by the Penn State International Restricted Travel Committee (IRTC). The necessary petition will be included in the online application process for this program. To see if your program is taking place in a restricted travel country, please visit the Penn State Global website.

Academics

Available Fields of Study

Aerospace Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering

Course Listings

To find courses at Tecnun, please review this page on their website under "Undergraduate Courses."

To see what Penn State students have previously taken on this program, see the Historical Course List, which is meant to be a guide as to what courses might be available and how they might transfer to Penn State. Courses listed here may not be offered during the semester you attend the program and the credit amount or course title may have changed. 

Note: You are not limited to choosing classes on the program Historical Course List. You should consult the full list of courses on Tecnun's website linked above before choosing a program.

Course Selection

To find appropriate courses that will fit into your degree requirements, you will need to work with your academic adviser. Suggested tips:
  • Research courses available on your program
  • Meet with your academic adviser to discuss potential courses abroad and your degree requirements 
  • Keep in mind that courses abroad may change or may be unavailable for your selected term, so you will need to discuss possible back-up course options
  • To register for courses on this program you will work with Tecnun

Academic Policies

  • Students will register for a minimum of 12 U.S. credits/24 ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System)
  • Students can register for a maximum of 15 U.S. credits/30 ECTS
  • You cannot take any courses abroad on a Pass/Fail basis
  • World Campus courses should not be taken in addition to or as a substitute for courses offered abroad
  • You may not take sport or physical activity courses (e.g. sailing, bowling, yoga, etc.) abroad
  • If you are studying abroad in your final semester at Penn State, please note that Penn State may not receive your grades in time for graduation 

Course Equivalency Process

In order for courses from abroad to appear on your Penn State transcript, each course must be given a course equivalency. Please visit the Academics section of the Penn State Global website for information on the course equivalency process.  

Courses can be submitted for course equivalency before, during, or after the education abroad program, however, you should begin this process as soon as possible as it can take on average 2-4 months or more for courses to receive a Penn State course number. In some cases, it can be difficult to obtain syllabi from abroad before the start of the term, but when possible, courses can be submitted for review before departure. Talk to your Education Abroad Adviser about requesting syllabi.

Grade and Credit Conversion Scale

Grades and credit conversions from your host institution cannot be changed. They will be converted to Penn State credits and grades based on the following scales:
 
Grade Conversion Scale
Tecnun Grade Penn State Grade
9.5 - 10 A
9.0 - 9.4  A-
8.0 - 8.9  B+
7.0 - 7.9  B
6.0 - 6.9  B-
5.5 - 5.9  C+
4.5 - 5.4  C
3.6 - 4.4  D
1.0 - 3.5  F
 
Credit Conversion Scale
Tecnun/ECTS Credit Penn State Credit
2 credits per course 1 credit per course 
4.5 - 6 credits per course 3 credits per course

Housing and Meals

Housing

Tecnun's Accommodation Office provides information about the different kinds of housing and helps all students find the option that best suits their needs. Ultimately, students are responsible for finding their own housing and will pay upon arrival in San Sebastian (accommodation is not included in fees billed by Penn State). Please review Tecnun's accommodation website for additional information.
 

Meals

Depending on the housing option chosen, meals may or may not be included in the accommodation fee(s) paid to Tecnun.

Students should contact Tecnun directly for additional information/questions regarding housing and meals.

Costs and Funding

Program Costs

Fall Costs
Spring Costs

The cost of a program is based on Penn State tuition rates and partner institution fees. Due to the variety of locations and partner institutions, costs will vary depending on the program. Education Abroad works closely with our partners to ensure the most accurate cost estimates, however, fees can change quickly and without prior notice. Consult the cost sheets for your chosen program often and if you have any questions please contact your Education Abroad Adviser. 

Scholarships 

The Education Abroad Office awards a number of grants and scholarships to students who participate in an education abroad program through Penn State Global. 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. Additional fees from the partner institution will be assessed according to their withdrawal and refund policies at the date of the withdrawal notice.

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.

Life Abroad

General Information 

Studying abroad can be one of the most exciting and transformative experiences of your college career. It is an opportunity to develop independence, build cross-cultural competencies, grow as a person, and enhance your academic program. Entering a new culture can be challenging for everyone. You may ask yourself: is this the right country for me? What are their cultural norms? How will my identity be perceived there? What can I do to prepare for this experience? What will my daily life be like? Below are resources to help you answer these questions.

Accessibility 

Penn State Education Abroad works closely with campus resources and our partner institutions around the world to ensure that students of all abilities reach their goal of studying abroad. While we cannot guarantee the accessibility of all program sites and locations, specific accommodations may be arranged on an individual basis. If you have accommodation needs or further questions please consult with the Student Disability Resources office and your Education Abroad Adviser. Additional resources are available through the Penn State Global Website. Disability information will not be used during the admissions process, but rather is meant to provide students with resources to help in planning a successful experience abroad.

Gender and LGBTQA

There are dramatic and subtle differences in how gender, identity, sexual expression, and sexual health are perceived in different countries. Before going abroad, it is important that you research the specific country or countries you will be visiting and have a full understanding of their cultural norms. Below are some resources to help you with that research and provide guidance for your life abroad.

Race, Ethnicity, and Faith

When choosing a study abroad location and preparing for your travels, you will want to be mindful of how your experience will be different than what you are used to in the United States. Your racial, ethnic, and spiritual identities may be interacted with and labeled by others differently than what you expect. Here are resources to help you prepare for these differences.

Non-U.S. Citizens

It is possible for non-U.S. Citizens to study abroad through Penn State. To do so successfully, you must plan early because this process may involve obtaining visas and other governmental procedures. Check with your DISSA Adviser prior to committing to a study abroad program and speak with your Education Abroad Adviser for specific information on the host country. If you plan on traveling to other countries during your study abroad experience, you will need to research and make plans to adhere to immigration policies for all of the countries that you plan to travel to and through. You are responsible for applying for visas for all applicable countries on your own. Advisers in the Education Abroad office cannot apply for your visa for you. Additional information may be available through your country's embassy and the consulate for your study abroad country.

Next Steps

Steps to Study Abroad

The planning stages outlined on the Penn State Global website 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. Visit the Steps to Study Abroad section of the Penn State Global website. 

How to Apply

Click the “Apply Now” button on this page to get started!

Application procedures can vary by program. Students should consult the application instructions available within each application. For more information, see the Application Process section of the Penn State Global website. 

Deadlines

You must apply to this program by the Penn State deadline. For a list of deadlines visit the Application Process page of the Penn State Global website.

Contact Education Abroad 

If you have general questions about Education Abroad opportunities at Penn State, please email EducationAbroad@psu.edu.

Peer Advisers

Education Abroad Peer Advisers are Penn State study abroad returnees who advise 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. Peer Advisers have walk-in hours in Boucke Building during the fall and spring semester when classes are in session. For more information, visit the Education Abroad Peer Adviser website. 

Education Abroad Advisers 

Education Abroad Advisers can provide information about courses, support services, application processes, housing details, program costs, cultural expectations, pre-departure requirements, and much more. Education Abroad Advisers have two types of meetings - scheduled appointments and walk-ins. For more information about how to meet with an Education Abroad Adviser, please visit the Penn State Global website. 

Social Media

Facebook for Penn State Education Abroad    Instagram for Penn State Education Abroad    Twitter for Penn State Global Programs   YouTube for Penn State Global Programs


For information about upcoming events, scholarship opportunities, deadlines, and much more visit the Penn State Global Events Calendar and follow us on social media!
 


Dates / Deadlines:
Dates / Deadlines:
Term Year App Deadline Decision Date Start Date End Date
Spring 2023 09/10/2022
** 		Rolling Admission 01/19/2023 05/31/2023
NOTE: Start date marks arrival in host country. End date marks departure from program housing.
Fall 2023 03/01/2023
03/11/2023 TBA TBA
Academic Year 2023-2024 03/01/2023
03/11/2023 TBA TBA
Spring 2024 07/15/2023 ** Rolling Admission TBA TBA

** Indicates rolling admission application process. Students will be immediately notified of acceptance into this program and be able to complete post-decision materials prior to the term's application deadline.

Indicates that deadline has passed