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 review
- Sophomore standing or above at the start of the program
- All applicants are required to interview with program leaders
Program Description
People with disabilities are the largest minority in the world, making up 15% of the world's population. Many people with disabilities often face discrimination, stigma, lower socioeconomic status and decreased life expectancy. Disability not only spans many professional boundaries (such as policy makers, doctors, engineers, human service providers and teachers) but is a human rights issue as well.
Students in this program will learn about different aspects of culture and disability through:
Meeting with various service agencies in Ireland that provide resources for people with disabilities.
Advocacy and assistance to people with many different types of disabilities.
Visits to various sites and guest speakers including experts from Trinity, UCD Dublin, and the University of Galway .
The first three weeks the group will be in Dublin. Students will participate in a variety of activities, which include visiting community service agencies and engaging with individuals with disabilities. At Trinity College, our students will gain an understanding about students enrolled in a unique program for individuals with Intellectual Disabilities, the National Institute of Intellectual Disabilities (NIID).
Throughout the program, students will engage with various service providing agencies (which may include sensory disabilities, intellectual/cognitive disabilities, and physical disabilities). Class time will serve to prepare for engagement and reflection as well as providing background information for understanding global policy and how to make comparisons. The background knowledge is necessary for students to get the most out of the activities in week four.
During the fourth week, the group will attend the 5-day International Disability Summer School at NUI Galway which equips participants with insights and understanding of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD). The UNCRPD was adopted in 2006 to change attitudes toward people with disabilities internationally and ensure people with disabilities have equal human rights and freedoms. Previous participants of the NUI Galway Summer School included individuals from over 39 different countries ranging from people with disabilities, their families, advocates, policy makers as well as many others.
The Culture and Disability program has a strong service component and because these opportunities are cooperative ventures between Penn State and Irish organizations, students are required to maintain professionalism throughout. As a representative of Penn State, it is required of students to do the following:
Abide by the policies, procedures, practices and professional philosophies of our host organizations
Be on time and attend all service requirements and class meetings (including deadlines for class assignments)
Be respectful and show initiative in your involvement with the individuals in the programs we visit
Maintain appropriate confidentiality and always demonstrate ethical behavior
Dress accordingly for service and site visits (instructors will provide further information
Dates
Summer: May 27 - June 22, 2024
Students are advised to arrive on May 26, 2024. The first day of class will be the posted start date of May 27, 2024. The last day of class is June 21, 2024 and students will depart on June 22, 2024.
Program Note
This program may have limited space, so we recommend that you identify an appropriate backup program and complete the Education Abroad Backup Questionnaire in your Penn State Application when applying to this program. Should you not be accepted for your first-choice program, you will automatically be reviewed for your backup choice. For help on choosing an appropriate backup, please contact your education abroad adviser.
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.