Global Experiences Tips & Resources

Global Experiences Tips & Resources

PREPARE TO GO GLOBAL

Get ready for your global experience.

 

Student Information on Global Experiences

Check off these tasks and take advantage of these tips, the earlier the better.

  • Attend informational meetings sponsored by the Hudock Center for Academic Excellence.
  • Meet with your academic advisor to determine if this course meets your educational goals.
  • Meet with faculty leading the course.
  • Check with Financial Aid to determine what costs will be covered.
  • Apply for scholarships. Merit and need-based scholarships are available to students who meet eligibility requirements. Many federal grants and loans may also be an option.
  • U.S. College and University Students: check out USA Study Abroad.
  • Have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher.
  • Be in good financial standing. Contact the Bursar's office to confirm that you have no financial obligations
  • Do not have any disciplinary actions.
  • Be 18 years of age or over.
  • Satisfactorily completed one semester of study at Penn College, including successful completion of FYE101. Student-athletes must follow any additional NCAA guidelines prior to travel.

If at any point prior to travel, a student is no longer in good standing, they may be removed from the course. (per Pennsylvania College of Technology Policy P4-60 Global Experiences and International Travel)

Passport

  • Passports are required to exit and enter countries around the world.
  • Apply for your passport as soon as you register for the course, since it takes approximately 4-6 weeks to process.
  • Use this link to download form DS-11: U.S. passports | USAGov.
  • Must have proof of citizenship (birth certificate).
  • Apply at your local post office, library, or local government office.

Once you receive your passport, send a copy to meg45@pct.edu at Penn College.


ETA/ETIAS

(Electronic Travel Authorization/European Travel Information and Authorization System)

Once you receive your approval, save the email and also forward the email to meg45@pct.edu at Penn College.


Penn College Travel Documents

Once you have registered for your travel course, the Hudock Center for Academic Excellence will send you an email with documents that must be completed before you travel.

  • Sign the Travel Release and Waiver of Liability.
  • Complete the Traveler Medical Form (include all allergies and medicines).
  • Complete the Emergency Contact Form.

Send completed forms to meg45@pct.edu at Penn College.

  • Consider enrolling in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). This is a free service that will send you emails with updates from the local U.S. embassy or consulate. If there's an emergency where you are, you will receive instructions on what to do.
  • Research the country(ies) you are traveling in. Become familiar with their customs.
  • Attend all mandatory meetings. The Hudock Center has two mandatory pre-travel meetings.
  • Contact your doctor or local/state health department regarding immunizations at least 6-8 eight weeks before travel.
  • Add international coverage to your cellular phone plan to stay in touch with family and your faculty members.
  • Guard your passport! Keep your passport with you at all times.
  • If you experience an emergency, immediately seek local assistance. Learn the Emergency '911' number for the country you are visiting. Contact your faculty or call the Penn College police. For more information, visit the U.S. Department of State International Travel site for Emergencies.
  • Share your location with family, friends, and faculty members.

Parents and Family Global Information

Family plays an important role in supporting their student through the global travel experience.

  • Ask your student to share information that has been received from the Hudock Center for Academic Excellence and Global Experiences course faculty.
  • Assist them in staying on top of important deadlines and due dates.
  • Discuss the financial costs of the program.
  • Help your student set expectations for budgeting for personal travel, spending money, and souvenirs while abroad.
  • Encourage your student to self-advocate if they need assistance during the process and while abroad.
  • Students who participate in study abroad programs gain exposure to foreign cultures in a way that can't be accomplished in a classroom.
  • Students gain classroom credit while abroad.
  • Students are able to interact with various organizations and companies which could lead to job opportunities.
  • The Global Experiences programs offered at Penn College vary in cost, depending on the features and duration of the program.
  • Students' accounts are billed through the Bursar's office at Penn College. Fees include the course fee (per credit) and the travel fees.
  • Travel fees include airfare, shuttle (if applicable), insurance, housing, and tour group fees (if applicable).
  • Research funding and scholarship opportunities are available. Students should watch for outreach from the Hudock Center for Academic Excellence. Check with Financial Aid to see if additional funding is available.
  • Additional aid websites include: Find Scholarships for College and Trade School | Fastweb; Find Scholarships for College; and Apply for Grants | My Rotary.

The Hudock Center for Academic Excellence and faculty advisors give support and guidance to your student through all stages of their global experience. Even with this support, it is expected that your student attends all mandatory meetings, completes paperwork, and talks to their advisors and course instructor about any concerns.

How can my student stay safe and healthy abroad? 

Penn College considers the health and safety of our students a top priority. Please review the resources in this section for information about specific topics:

  • Confirm your student has all necessary medications and prescription documentation before traveling.
  • Most global experience trips have insurance included in the course travel fee. Check your insurance provider's policy for global travel coverage.
  • A few useful websites for you and your traveler are: U.S Department of State Travel; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention | CDC; and Smart Enrollment Program | STEP.
  • Your student will be given a business card with contact phone numbers of the faculty leading the trip, Penn College Police, '911' numbers, and the US Embassy of each country they are visiting.