Eligibility
- 18 years of age or above
- Good academic and disciplinary standing at Penn State
- 2.75 cumulative GPA or better at the time of application review
- Sophomore standing or above at the start of the program
- There are no pre-requisites for this program. Students who have taken ANTH 002, ANTH 009 or other Middle East content courses may be better prepared for the program.
- In the case of limited spaces, applicants from Behrend Campus will have priority over students at other campuses.
Program Description
Petra, Jordan has been registered on the UNESCO World Heritage list since 1985. This unique city was carved into the sheer, striated, rose red sandstone rock face more than 2,000 years ago by the Nabataeans. Excavations have demonstrated that the Nabataeans controlled flash flooding and managed the water supply, creating an artificial oasis and enabling the development and influence of the city. It was an important junction of the caravan routes that linked China, India and southern Arabia with Egypt, Syria, Greece and Rome.
Students will spend three weeks on the archaeological field school at the Petra Garden and Pool Complex excavation, located in the heart of Petra. The large pool has a central pavilion flanking a monumental colonnaded garden adjacent to the "Great Temple" complex, which has been recently restored. During the 2023 season, efforts will focus on processing and documenting artifacts uncovered in previous excavation seasons, surveying in architectural elements that need to be added to the site plan, digitizing drawings, and making 3D scans of select artifacts. Students will assist in all of these endeavors, applying their skills and developing new ones. There will be reading assignments and discussions. Being a smaller group, students will receive a more personalized experience designed around their skills and research interests. New excavation will not be conducted this season.
Students will also learn some basic phrases in Arabic with a guidebook to the language specifically prepared for archaeologists on the site. Students and faculty will live together with a host family and participate in local cultural events. Members of the archaeology community will give guest lectures about their research and work. There will be a few field trips to Neolithic and Nabatean sites, Crusader castles in nearby Wadi Musa, Beidha, and Shobak, and Wadi Rum as time and circumstances allow.
Please refer to the Life Abroad tab for more details on accessibility considerations in Petra.
Dates
Summer: June 20 - July 11, 2023
Program Costs
Summer Costs
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 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. 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
-
Upon Commitment - 90 Days Prior to Departure: 25% Program Fee + EA Admin Fee
-
30 - 89 Days Prior to Departure: 50% Program Fee + EA Admin Fee
-
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.
