Strickler Office of International Programs
Marketing Your Study Abroad Experience: Inside the Minds of Recruiters
Blog post by Alessandra Auster, Marketing '20, who studied abroad in Seville, Spain in Spring 2019
Study Abroad
Smeal strongly encourages students to participate in education abroad and about one fourth of our graduates have this experience. Discover how study abroad will fit with your personal and academic goals. You may choose a summer or semester program and perhaps consider earning an International Business Minor. Start your journey now by navigating the timing and eligibility requirements and exploring the many diverse Penn State programs offered all around the world.
International Internships
International internship and service learning opportunities allow students to create meaning between their academic coursework, their future careers, and the world around them. Globalization is an increasingly important aspect of any business. Thus, many employers today are reported to value intercultural communication skills, global perspectives, and demonstrated adaptability that often are gained from an international work experience.
Faculty/Staff
Instructors interested in teaching a summer, Maymester or embedded study abroad program or those already scheduled to do so, may find relevant information here.
International Students
For students studying here at Penn State from another country, the International Student web page links you to many resources which may help you find answers to your questions about housing, academic concerns, jobs, or ways to meet other students. Explore the resources that can help you best take advantage of all that Penn State life has to offer.
Upcoming Events and Deadlines
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Fall 2025 |
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Applications Open for Summer 2026 and Fall 2026 Study Abroad
Students must apply through LionsABROAD for Summer 2026 and Fall 2026 programs.
Deadline for Summer 2026: January 22, 2026 Deadline for Fall 2026: March 2, 2026 |
Early October |
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2025 Penn State Education Abroad Fair
Penn State Global Education Abroad hosts a fair each fall semester with the objective of helping students discover the wealth of study, intern, and research abroad options available to them at Penn State. International partner institutions, Penn State colleagues who lead programs abroad, and various offices across campus hold an exhibition to display programs they offer! Learn about scholarships, grants, and program discounts available to Penn State students. Students will visit the fair throughout the day as their schedule allows. Attendees enter and exit the fair as they please; no pre-registration required. Click HERE for more information. |
Wednesday, October 22, 2025 11:00 am - 4:00 pm Alumni Hall, HUB Robeson Center |
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CzechMates Information Sessions
Join CzechMates program director Michael Elavsky and Penn State student alumni from this program for an info session to learn more about the summer and semester study abroad program to Brno, Czech Republic. Participate in an internship experience abroad and discover this gem of a city in Central Europe. Earn credits towards the International Business minor.
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Wednesday October 22 and/or Thursday October 23, 2025 5:30 pm 224 Willard Building (Bellisario Media Center) |
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ISI Florence Study Abroad Info Session Students interested in summer study abroad through ISI Florence can join ISI Florence Admissions Representative Amanda Fontana to learn more about this Penn State-approved study abroad program. Earn 6 credits in summer that can be used toward the International Business Minor. Come to learn about summer gen ed courses and business electives such as Family Business in Italy, Digital Marketing: Contemporary Strategies of Italian Brands, Sustainability in the Fashion Industry, Social Media Social Food, and much more! |
Thursday, October 23, 2025 4:35 pm 004 Business Building |
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Panama Embedded Info Session Students interested in learning more about the SCM 497 Global Logistics Course with Spring Break travel to Panama are invited to join Profs Johanna Amaya and Andy Lukoff to learn more about this one of a kind course and spring break experience. Students will participate in a full itinerary of company visits, cultural events and visit to the iconic Panama Canal. Visit the program page for more details and to apply. Application Deadline: November 17, 2025 |
Monday, October 27, 2025 5:30 pm 102 Animal, Veterinary, and Biomedical Science Building |
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CET Brazil Info Session Students interested in a semester study abroad program to Brazil are invited to join CET representative Tim Baird who is on campus today. Learn more about the Socially Sustainable Business Track program where students take a CET core course and enroll in courses at a local business school in Sao Paulo. Get more information about the travelling seminar to Bahia and start to dream about adventures in Brazil! Visit the program page for more details. |
Tuesday, October 28, 2026 12:00 pm 410 Boucke Building |
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Summer & Maymester Study Abroad Information Session Join us to learn more about the many summer study abroad opportunities available at Penn State. We will talk about the different types of programs available, including Smeal faculty-led business programs, other Penn State programs and language and culture programs offered via partner institutions. Students can learn more about how credits from these programs can count towards degree requirements, what the application process looks like and ask any questions they might have. What are you waiting for? Grab a friend and start planning for your summer adventures today! |
Wednesday October 29, 2025 4:30 pm 106 Business Building |
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London Maymester Information Session Interested in the Smeal Maymester program to London? Attend this info session with Marketing professor Dr Keisha Liggett Nichols who will be teaching in London in May 2026 to learn more about the course and program itinerary. Visit the program page for more details. |
Tuesday, November 4, 2025 4:30 pm 004 Business Building |
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International Internship Information Session This info session will cover both summer full-time international internship programs as well as discuss part-time international internships available during semester study abroad programs. We will feature a panel of students who have participated on these programs to talk about what the experience was like, from the placement process pre-departure to the actual work they did abroad. |
Tuesday, November 4, 2025 5:00 pm Zoom |
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Semester Study Abroad Information Session Students interested in a full semester study abroad program for Fall 2026 or Spring 2027 should start planning now. This session will give an in-depth overview of steps students can be taking now to explore program opportunities and review academic planning. |
Wednesday, November 5, 2025 5:00 pm Zoom |
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Costa Rica Maymester Information Session Students interested in the Costa Rica Sustainability in Business Maymester program are invited to join Profs Scott Collins and Nancy McClure to learn more about the course and program itinerary. Spend three weeks in Costa Rica learning about sustainable business practices in an interactive seminar-style course. Explore how ESG (Environment, Social, Governance) principles impact people, profits and the planet - all while immersing yourself in Costa Rica’s vibrant culture and natural beauty. Pura vida! Visit the program page for more details. |
Thursday, November 6, 2025 4:30pm 214 Business Building |
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Croatia Maymester Information Session
Spend three weeks exploring innovation in an international context! Learn how entrepreneurs navigate the complexities of international markets within Croatia and the European Union. Discover three different cities in Croatia, from small town Varaždin, to the capital city Zagreb to the Adriatic Coast and historic city of Dubrovnik. Open to all PSU students interested in business and entrepreneurship. Visit the program page for more details. |
Monday, November 10, 2025 5:30 pm 105 Business Building |
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Panama Embedded Info Session
Students interested in learning more about the SCM 497 Global Logistics Course with Spring Break travel to Panama are invited to join Profs Johanna Amaya and Andy Lukoff to learn more about this one of a kind course and spring break experience. Students will participate in a full itinerary of company visits, cultural events and visit to the iconic Panama Canal. Visit the program page for more details and to apply. Application Deadline: November 17, 2025 |
Monday, November 10, 2025 5:30 pm 102 Animal, Veterinary, and Biomedical Science Building |
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Smeal Global Representative Panel
Hear from a panel of returned Smeal Study Abroad students. They will talk about their experiences abroad, the courses, the housing, the travel and more. Come and ask any questions you have and hear their advice as you embark on your own study abroad journeys.
See all our Smeal Global Reps.
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Thursday, November 13, 2025 6:00 pm 214 Business Building |
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Costa Rica Maymester Information Session Students interested in the Costa Rica Sustainability in Business Maymester program are invited to join Profs Scott Collins and Nancy McClure to learn more about the course and program itinerary. Spend three weeks in Costa Rica learning about sustainable business practices in an interactive seminar-style course. Explore how ESG (Environment, Social, Governance) principles impact people, profits and the planet - all while immersing yourself in Costa Rica’s vibrant culture and natural beauty. Pura vida! Visit the program page for more details. |
Tuesday, December 2, 2025 4:30 pm 009 Business Building |
- International Program Photos