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
- Second Semester Sophomore standing or above at the start of the program
- Open to all Penn State undergraduates
- Open to students in the School of International Affairs who have at least two semesters of Spanish or its equivalent.
Program Description
Colombia is the most populous Spanish-speaking country in South America, and the second-largest in the world after Mexico. (Yes, more than Spain and Argentina!) Over the last 15 years Colombia has moved from an ostensibly “failed state” to something more positive, although Colombians vehemently disagree about how much and at what cost. This program will look at several interconnected topics that are prominent in Colombia’s past and present while travelling through four very different regions of Colombia.
The program starts in the colonial town of Villa de Leyva. It then moves on to Ibague, a mid-sized city where students will spend several days working with students and faculty at Universidad de Ibague. Next, students will experience rural life in Murillo, where you can still ride horses through the streets instead of cars. The program then travels to Bogota, the vibrant capital city which has been the hub of business and power in Colombia for the past century. Finally, the program ends in Cartagena, a center of colonial art and architecture and the number-one tourist destination in the country. Over the course of the program, students will visit museums, farms, traditional markets, schools, a conservatory, a botanical garden, a waterfall, and more.
Students will learn to understand Colombian current concerns as Colombians do with class discussions and field visits tying back to central themes, including:
• Economic development: models, winners, and losers
• Violence, peacemaking, and democracy
• Migration, education, and opportunity
• Urban problems and planning
• Gender, race, and ethnicity
By the end of the course, students should be able to relate a wide range of current Colombian issues to Colombian history, to broader Latin American, United States, and global contexts, and to social science concepts introduced in the course.
Please visit the Contemporary Colombia page for more information.
Dates
Summer: May 9 - May 30, 2022
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.
Schreyer Scholars will receive a $500.00 scholarship towards the program fee.
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.
