International Programs

Students experience study abroad. Image of students with leaning tower of Pizza.

'Advancing a Global Penn State' Award for Outstanding Program

Penn State School of Hospitality Management received the Advancing a Global Penn State award for Outstanding Program from the Office of Penn State Global Programs. The award recognizes Global Programs’ partners within the University community who have been integral in advancing Penn State’s global engagement strategy.
"We are committed to supporting the advancement of Global Programs," Daniel Mount, Professor in Charge of International Studies & Students,
Hospitality Management.

The School of Hospitality Management (SHM) has the goal of educating students who will become socially aware hospitality industry professionals with the potential to be highly competitive in the global business arena. SHM has created a network of international academic partnerships and opportunities for students.

There are five ways in which students can study abroad:

SHM offers semester-long programs in Italy, Croatia, Hong Kong, and Australia. Programs offered through SHM allow the student to complete both major and general education credits.
SHM offers a month-long, six-credit Summer Studies in Europe program.
SHM offers embedded programs offered as a travel component during resident instruction at Penn State.
The University Office of Global Programs offers a number of programs that allow students to complete general education credits.
Study abroad credits will only be accepted toward HM degree requirements if they are taken through a Penn State approved program.Credits earned in non-Penn State programs may qualify toward General Education requirements, but not to HM degree requirements.
Please make an appointment with the International Programs advisor if you have an interest in any of these opportunities.

For general information about School of Hospitality Management study abroad programs, contact Nada Madrid, Academic Advisor for the School of Hospitality Management.

Semester-Long Programs

Students may apply for all of these programs through Education Abroad:

Bond University - Gold Coast, Australia: SHM has established a direct enrollment program with Bond University in Gold Coast, Australia (www.bond.edu.au). Bond University is one of the leading business and hospitality management schools in Australia. Their academic calendar is similar to Penn State. All instruction is in English and students take four 4-credit courses that will transfer into the hospitality curriculum at Penn State.

Rochester Institute of Technology – Dubrovnik, Croatia: SHM has established a direct enrollment program with the Rochester Institute of Technology’s Dubrovnik, Croatia campus. RIT-Croatia offers hospitality management courses that can substitute for SHM core courses, HM electives and Penn State general education requirements. Their academic calendar is similar to Penn State. All instruction is in English and students generally take five 3-credit courses.

Hong Kong Polytechnic University (HKPU) – Hong Kong, China: SHM has established an exchange program with Hong Kong Polytechnic University in Hong Kong, China. HKPU offers hospitality management courses that can substitute for SHM core courses, HM electives and Penn State general education requirements. Their academic calendar is similar to Penn State. All instruction is in English and students generally take five 3-credit courses.

Florence University of the Arts/Apicius International School of Hospitality: SHM has established a direct enrollment program with Florence University of the Arts (FUA) which includes the Apicius International School of Hospitality (www.fua.it). FUA offers a wide selection of courses. Students must take courses from the hospitality management curriculum at Apicius and are allowed to take one course (general education) at FUA. Their academic calendar is similar to Penn State. All instruction is in English and students take five 3-credit courses that will transfer into the hospitality curriculum at Penn State.

Faculty-led Short Programs

Summer Studies in Europe: This is a four-week summer program in Europe, usually offered from mid-May to mid-June. Students will take two courses (International Cuisine and International Hospitality Management) earning six HM elective credits. Courses are taught in English by faculty from Penn State. In the current program, course time is spent in Florence (Italy) and Maastricht (The Netherlands). There are several weekend breaks that will allow students to take short trips to other areas of interest. Students apply for this program at the Global Programs website. The HM lead faculty contact for this program is Jeff Heim.

International Hospitality Management – Spring Break travel to Europe: HM 299 (International Hospitality Management) is a one-credit offering for travel during spring break. Students must sign up for this course in 201 Mateer during Fall semester. The deadline date for signing up for the course is November 1. A deposit is required. Students are registered into the class once the deposit is received.

A full pre-payment of the course “program fee” is usually collected the first week of spring semester. This program fee may range from $1,700-$2,000 depending on the number of students on each trip. For questions on course sign-up, selection and deposits, contact Nada Madrid.

Note: Programs are run based on enrollment numbers.

Scholarships for Study Abroad

Travel grants are available through SHM. Students may receive approximately $300 to $500; however, some students have also received full airfare. Scholarships or stipends are not guaranteed. Awards are based on a combination of high academic achievement and financial need. Please contact faculty in charge of your preferred SHM study abroad program for more information.

Additional funding may be available through Penn State Global Programs.