Program Overview
Africa’s cultural, political, and economic importance should not be underestimated. As the continent’s population and economy grow, so does its influence. AFR/PLSC 297 examines how African states and non-state actors formulate and pursue their interests in continental and global arenas.
Of particular concern are efforts to create institutions and norms to guide trans-border relations between African countries, as well as the interactions with non-African actors like China, France, Russia, the United States, the United Kingdom, the United Nations, and the International Financial Institutions. Key areas of concern include the environment, sustainable development, human rights, and human security.
An embedded option for AFR/PLSC 297 allows students to spend two weeks in Arusha, Tanzania, home to the East African community and arguably Africa’s most successful effort at regional integration. Located at the foot of Mount Meru and close to Mount Kilimanjaro, Arusha is Tanzania’s wildlife capital bringing together people from all over East Africa. Through an immersion in East African culture, students will gain a deeper understanding of the economic, environmental, political, and religious drivers of East African foreign policies. Planned activities include field visits to analyze the problems facing pastoralist communities, like the Maasai, and meeting with entrepreneurs to hear their take on economic integration. To gain a deeper appreciation of the grandeur of East Africa’s natural resources, short excursions will be taken Tarangire and Arusha national parks.
Dates
Program Quicklinks
Eligibility
Housing and Meals
Program Costs
Financial Aid & Scholarships
More Information
How to Apply
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Any pre-requisite courses are established by the faculty leader or department hosting the course. The following have been listed as pre-requisites for consideration to enroll in this course and travel on the embedded education abroad program:
- This program is open to all majors at Penn State University Park.
- Admission in the course and permission to travel with the group are at the discretion of the faculty leader and/or academic department hosting the course. Academic standing and disciplinary or conduct issues may impact eligibility.
Housing and Meals
During the embedded travel component, housing will consist of hotel/hostel accommodations.
Program Costs
Students pay regular Penn State tuition (either in-state or out-of-state) for the credits associated with the embedded course. Travel costs, lodging, meals, excursions, and other fees are determined by the program budget which is set by the program leader. Please consult the program leader for additional information.
Financial Aid & Scholarships
The Embedded Programs Scholarship is issued through Penn State Global Education Abroad for students studying on approved Penn State embedded programs. There is no application required to be considered for this scholarship. The Education Abroad scholarship selection team will utilize course rosters submitted by the embedded course leaders and will determine eligible scholarship recipients based on financial need.
Because of the volume of eligible candidates, awards usually go to students with the highest level of financial need as determined by the Office of Student Aid. Among those with the highest need, preference may be given to students with higher cumulative grade point averages and/or to those with no prior Penn State education abroad experience.
For More Information
For more information about this course, please contact the program leader: Bruce Heilman by emailing beh157@psu.edu.
How to Apply
The process for enrolling in an embedded course varies according to the instructor and/or department. The program leader has indicated that in order to enroll in the course and travel component, students must submit an interest form and submit an official financial commitment form by February 1, 2024.
Studying Abroad with a Disability
Many students with disabilities successfully study abroad each year. Please note that other cultures may have different attitudes and available accommodations regarding disabilities. While we cannot guarantee the accessibility of all program sites and locations, specific accommodations may be arranged in consultation with our office, the Student Disability Resources office, and our partners abroad. To prepare for success, students are strongly encouraged to research the country and program location to consider if and how they will manage their disabilities abroad in advance of selecting a program. Students with disabilities and other diverse backgrounds can begin their research on our Diversity Awareness Abroad page.
