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*London, United Kingdom: Business in London (Maymester) (Outgoing Program) Featured:

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Fact Sheet:
Fact Sheet:
Click here for a definition of this term Education Abroad Adviser: Casey McClellan Click here for a definition of this term Maymester: Yes
Program Description:

Overview

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
  • Prerequisites: ECON 102 or ECON 104 is recommended. This program is open to all students with an interest in business.
  • If applications are high, admissions will be prioritized by quality of application essays, and academic preparation.

Program Description

A city within a city, the City of London is the beating heart of the financial world. Make it your home for three weeks with this this customized Maymester program offered through the Smeal College of Business. Settle in with an orientation program and a half day sightseeing tour. All students on this program will then begin their business course at the AIFS Global Education Center, located in charming Kensington, one of the most picturesque and safest areas of central London. Within walking distance of half a dozen museums and three Royal parks, Kensington provides easy access to shopping, sports and entertainment. Your time in London will be spent learning both in and out of the classroom! Students will have the opportunity to interact and meet local business leaders through company visits.

Additional cultural activities to be organized include a visit to the Museum of London Docklands, a musical or theatrical performance in the West End and a full-day excursion to Brighton – Londoner’s favorite sea-side resort town! You’ll also have free time to organize your own activities. No trip to London is complete without a visit to Camden Market or to see the Rosetta Stone at the British Museum. Take a day trip to Oxford or ride a river boat down the Thames river to find the historic prime meridian in Greenwich. We’re guessing you’ll even bump in to Smeal alumni living and working in London. A good business student never misses a chance to network!

Dates

Summer: May 8 - May 30, 2024

 

Program Leader

  • Nancy Ross Mahon, PhD, Associate Clinical Professor of Business Communication

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

Course Description

All students will be enrolled in MGMT 399, Intercultural Communication for a Global Economy, for 3 credits. 

We live in a global environment. Technology, logistics, and social media enable us to interact, both personally and professionally, with friends and colleagues located throughout the world. This expansive environment brings enormous opportunities to us in the form of diverse group memberships, expansive cultural experiences, abundant and unique goods and services, and worldwide employment possibilities. Likewise, the global environment brings challenges. How can we understand and join people whose values, beliefs, and lifestyles differ drastically from our own? Ultimately, how can we communicate with people who may speak a different language or whose very style of communicating reflects distinct differences for our own communication patterns?

This course explores these and other issues as well as theories related to interacting, working, and living in a global environment. Mastering intercultural communication provides clear and concrete advantages in our professional and personal lives. Our ability to interact with a variety of people, at work or at home, is improved by strong intercultural communication skills. Professionally, intercultural communication competence makes us more marketable; it improves our abilities to work on and lead teams, negotiate, secure clients, and successfully function in global businesses. Individually, intercultural communication encourages a greater awareness of our own cultural identity, makes us more adaptable, develops our understanding of social and ethical issues, enlarges our social network, and changes each of us on a personal level.

Course Selection

Students are required to take the prescribed course listed above as participants on the program. The Education Abroad Office will register you for this course. To determine how this course will fit into your degree requirements, you will need to work with your academic adviser. Suggested tips:
  • Research courses offered 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

Course Listings

  • You must enroll in 3 credits
  • You cannot take any courses abroad on a Pass/Fail basis
  • 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
  • You must attend the entire length of the program.

Housing and Meals

Housing


Student Dorm
  • Included in the program fee, students will reside in a twin-bedded room in a student dorm. Centrally located in North or West London with either access to a shared kitchen or a kitchenette within the unit and laundry facilities on-site. Linens, weekly cleaning and WiFi are included. Students should bring their own towels. 
Independent housing is not permitted on this program. There will be no exceptions.

Meals 

Students are responsible for providing their own meals. A welcome dinner and farewell afternoon tea will be organized by the program.
 

Costs and Funding

Program Costs

Spring 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

Students interested in participating in his program must 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.
 

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

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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
Summer 2023 02/01/2023
02/11/2023 05/07/2023 05/27/2023
Summer 2024 01/24/2024 02/07/2024 05/08/2024 05/30/2024

Indicates that deadline has passed