Summer Programs
Look for a program that meets your learning goals, academic and personal interests and allows you to experience a new adventure!
Summer study abroad can be a great opportunity for students who are heavily involved in student organizations, pursuing additional majors or minors outside of Smeal or who otherwise don't feel like a full semester abroad will be a good fit.
Considerations for choosing a program include:
- Programs offered during the summer term vary in length from as short as 10 days to as long as 12 weeks.
- There are faculty-led programs, taught by Penn State professors, as well as direct enroll or partner institution programs.
- Course topics can range from business, to language and culture and other topics. Smeal students typically earn general education, elective or IB Minor credits from these programs. Students will submit a Smeal Study Abroad Course Approval (SACA) Agreement prior to departure to confirm how their credits will count. All programs do not offer every type of credit possible. Meet with a Smeal International Programs adviser to review academic fit before applying.
- International Internship programs are available during the summer term and more information can be found in the International Internships page. Internship credits do not satisfy any Smeal degree requirements.
Summer 2026 Application Deadline: January 22, 2026
Applications must be submitted through Penn State Global on the LionsABROAD portal. Students may only apply to one program at a time.
Search Penn State Global to view all PSU study abroad programs offered in the summer term.
International Business Minor Approved Programs for Global Immersion Credits
Credits may be earned towards the International Business Minor through the study abroad programs below - how they apply can vary from one program to another. We strongly recommend a meeting with one of our advisers before applying to a program.
Programs |
Dates |
Approved for IB Minor? |
| Argentina | ||
| IES: Buenos Aires, Culture & Language (Summer) | June 22 - Aug 2, 2026 | Yes 6 credits of IB Minor Global Immersion |
| China | ||
| CIEE: Shanghai (Summer) -- Business + Culture track offered in three different sessions, 3-4 credits per session |
Session 1: May 18 - June 15, 2026 Session 2: June 15 - July 13, 2026 Session 3: July 13 - August 8, 2026 |
Yes, up to 9 credits - Must attend at least two sessions for Global Immersion credits - IB minor supporting course possible |
| CIEE: Shanghai (Summer) -- Accelerated Chinese Language Program |
June 21 - Aug 15, 2026 | Yes, up to 9 credits - IB Minor Global Immersion - IB minor supporting course possible |
| Czech Republic | ||
|
*Brno, Czech Republic: Business in Central Europe This program will not run in Summer 2026, but Smeal students are encouraged to attend the CzechMates Summer program in Brno directly: |
3 credits IB Minor supporting course possible | |
| Denmark/Sweden | ||
| Must attend two sessions in one summer for the IB Minor Global Immersion Track. Must attend all three sessions for the Global Immersion Track if doing the Entrepreneurship Practicum. | Session 1: May 26 - June 17, 2026 Session 2: June 22 - July 10, 2025 Session 3: July 13 - August 1, 2026 |
Yes, up to 9 credits - Must attend at least two sessions for Global Immersion credits. - Must attend all three sessions if doing Entrepreneurship Practicum - IB minor supporting course possible |
| France | ||
| *Besançon: Intensive French Language and Cultural Immersion (Summer) | May 29 - July 31, 2026 | Yes 6 credits of IB Minor Global Immersion |
| IAU College: Aix-en-Provence, Summer in Aix (Summer) | May 30 - July 11, 2026 | Yes 6 credits of IB Minor Global Immersion |
| Germany | ||
| IES: Berlin, Language and Culture (Summer) | June 2 - July 18, 2026 | Yes 6 credits of IB Minor Global Immersion |
| Greece | ||
| Thessaloniki, Greece: Perrotis College (Summer) -- cost effective! | Late May - Mid July (Last year: May 30 - July 12, 2025) | Yes 6 credits of IB Minor Global Immersion |
| CIEE: Athens (Summer) | Session 1: May 18 - June 27, 2026 Session 2: June 29 - August 8, 2026 |
Yes 6 credits of IB Minor Global Immersion |
| Italy | ||
|
*Florence, Italy: The World of Business and Italian Culture (Summer) **Smeal Faculty-Led Program** This program will not run in Summer 2026, but Smeal students are encouraged to attend the ISI Florence Summer program directly (see below). |
Not running in 2026 | Yes 6 credits of IB Minor Global Immersion |
| ISI Abroad: Florence (Summer) | May 14 - June 26, 2026 | Yes 6 credits of IB Minor Global Immersion |
| *Salerno, Italy: Language and Culture (Summer) | May 17 - June 27, 2026 | Yes 6 credits of IB Minor Global Immersion |
| *Todi: Italian Language, Art History, Culture (Summer) |
May 15 - June 25, 2026 | Yes, up to 9 credits - IB Minor Global Immersion - IB minor supporting course may be possible |
| Japan | ||
| May 30 - August 1, 2026 | Yes 6 credits of IB Minor Global Immersion |
|
| IES: Tokyo (Summer) | May 21 - July 4, 2026 | Yes 6 credits of IB Minor Global Immersion |
| Mexico | ||
| *Puebla, Mexico: Spanish Language and Mexican Culture (Summer) | May 12 - June 21, 2026 | Yes 6 credits of IB Minor Global Immersion |
| South Korea | ||
| CIEE: Seoul, Yonsei University (Summer) | June 25 - August 6, 2026 | Yes 6 credits of IB Minor Global Immersion |
| Singapore | ||
|
Session 1: May 18 - June 27, 2026 |
Yes 6 credits of IB Minor Global Immersion |
|
| Spain | ||
| CIEE: Seville, Language + Culture (Summer) **Course options in English or Spanish |
Session 1: May 18 - June 15, 2026 Session 2: June 15 - July 13, 2026 Session 3: July 13 - August 8, 2026 |
Yes - Must attend at least two sessions for 6 credits of IB Minor Global Immersion |
| IES: Madrid, Language and Cultural Studies (Summer) | May 18 - June 30, 2026 | Yes 6 credits of IB Minor Global Immersion |
| *Ronda, Spain: Spanish Language and Culture (Summer) | May 17 - June 27, 2026 | Yes 6 credits of IB Minor Global Immersion |
| United Kingdom | ||
| Brighton: University of Sussex (Summer) | Session One: June 29 - July 17, 2026 Session Two: July 20 - August 7, 2026 |
Yes - Must attend both sessions for 6 credits of IB Minor Global Immersion |
Other programs are available to Penn State students for non-IB Minor credit. Search Penn State Global to view all PSU study abroad programs offered in the summer term.
Applications must be submitted through Penn State Global on the LionsABROAD portal. Students may only apply to one program at a time. Some programs may be competitive and it is a good idea to have a back-up in mind.