By: Izeah Bennett, Lion’s Eye Staff Writer, ijb5250@psu.edu  

For almost thirty years, Penn State Brandywine’s Global Programs has offered students educational courses along with short-term worldwide travel. Not only can students benefit from the multitude of coursework, but they can also look forward to taking nearly a week’s worth of international travel.  

Every course provided in each program has both pre-travel and post-travel coursework, which is completed by students on an independent study basis. Students work with their given instructor through distance education technologies, putting the work in their hands and on their schedule.  

Since the 2001-2002 school year, Dr. Susan Fredericks has overseen the Global Programs, along with Dr. Paul Greene, here at Brandywine. “Global Penn State is bigger than embedded programs and studying abroad; it’s about becoming bigger global citizens . . . as citizens of the world, we must better understand other cultures,” said Fredericks.  

One of the main goals for the students, besides completing course work and going on trips, is for them to develop an understanding of what goes on outside of their daily lives. Traveling to international destinations gives students an exciting, eye-opening chance to explore new places and new societies. “Any student of the Penn State system can take any of these embedded courses that we offer . . . faculty and staff can also go on these trips,” said Fredericks. 

Keeping the trips as affordable as possible is another goal that Global Programs and Fredericks work towards. “We try and keep [the trips] as low-cost as possible, so we work with a travel agent, who does a lot of the planning, in finding hotels, airfare, things like that,” said Fredericks. Those who organize the trips do their best to keep costs for hotels, flights, and breakfast under $2,000. 

“Faculty who teach the courses go on the trips with the student. We have to take courses on risk management and emergency preparedness courses. We have to be fully aware of what’s going on. We’ve had students get sick; we have had students who have needed to go home . . . we are hands on during the trip. If there is an issue, we try to resolve it.” 

Faculty and staff going on these trips must also take courses in safety before all trips, ensuring the safety of those along for the trip. The travel component for the courses is six to nine days in length, taking place during breaks and gaps in the University’s academic calendar. 

So, what exactly is happening in the near future for Global Programs? In just the next two months, Global Programs has three trips planned. Most recently, Global Programs embarked on a trip to Lisbon, Portugal during the 2024 spring break. From March first to the eighth, students and staff spent time in Lisbon. In May, students and staff will be traveling to the South of France during the week of the fourth to the 11th. Finally, a Maymester trip to in Seoul, South Korea is planned for students taking part in this section of the Global Programs. From May eighth to the 23rd, the participating staff and students will be spending their time in Asia.  

Not only is the Global Programs fun and exciting for students and staff who are involved, but they all experience the rich culture and beautiful landscapes in places most have never been to. 

Click here. for more information on Global Programs or email Dr. Fredericks at smf17@psu.edu