Eligibility
- 18 years of age or above
- Good academic and disciplinary standing at Penn State
- 3.4 cumulative GPA or better at the time of application review
- Junior standing or above at the start of the program
- Students opting for Research Project in Natural Sciences, including practical laboratory work, need to have ample laboratory experience
Program Description
The EuroScholars program is designed for advanced undergraduate students, looking for an international research experience. The objectives of this program are to give students the challenge of conducting original research at the cutting edge of human knowledge and promote interactions with scholars through an immersion in the research environment. The following are participating institutions in the EuroScholars program:
- Leiden University - Leiden, The Netherlands
- University of Geneva - Geneva, Switzerland
- KU Leuven University - Leuven, Belgium
In this program, students undertake one course in the classroom and then work under the direct supervision of professors and other academic staff on a specific academic research project chosen by both the student and the faculty. There is an abundance of academic research projects in a variety of fields to choose from within the participating universities.
The objectives of this program are to give students the challenge of conducting original research and promote interactions with scholars through immersion in the research environment. Students will learn about scientific reasoning, research methods, theoretical principles related to the research area, and scholarly communication. By finalizing the results of their research project into a paper of publishable quality, students will also improve their writing and presentation skills.
Dates
Refer to the program website for the specific dates, if available.
Location
EuroScholars research abroad program takes place at one of the 5 internationally renowned European Research Universities in:
Education Abroad in Countries with a Penn State Restricted Travel Designation
In order to comply with Penn State’s International Travel Policy, students interested in studying abroad in countries that Penn State has designated as “restricted” for travel, a petition for a waiver must be submitted. Once a petition is complete, and if the student is approved for study on the program in question, the student may be asked to meet with the Director of Education Abroad and the petition will be reviewed by the Penn State International Restricted Travel Committee (IRTC). The necessary petition will be included in the online application process for this program. To see if your program is taking place in a restricted travel country, please visit the Penn State Global website.
Available Fields of Study
The EuroScholars Program offers a broad range of research projects in almost all fields of interest.
Accounting, Agriculture, Advertising, Anthropology, Archeology, Astronomy, Astrophysics, Biochemistry, Biology, Business, Chemistry, Computer Science, Cultural Studies, Earth and Mineral Sciences, Economics, Education, Engineering, English, Environmental Studies, Film Studies, Finance, French, Geography, Health and Welfare, History, Information Systems, Law, Linguistics, Literature, Management, Marketing, Mathematics, Media Studies, Philology, Philosophy, Physics, Political Science, Psychology, Religious Studies, Science, Sociology, Spanish, Statistics, Theatre, Veterinary.
Course Listings
You will receive credit for all academic courses taken at a EuroScholar institution, and all of your grades from abroad will count toward your Penn State cumulative GPA. You may not take any courses overseas on a Pass/Fail basis. Students may not take sport or physical activity courses (e.g. sailing, bowling, yoga, etc.) abroad. These courses will not be credited at Penn State.
Students will enroll in 15 credits, the equivalent of 30 ECTS.
Students learn about scientific reasoning, research methods, theoretical principles related to the research area, and scholarly communication. They will be part of an international research group and conduct research under supervision of a professor. Projects are available in Arts and Humanities, Performing Arts, Biology, Chemistry, Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, Astronomy, Computer Science, Medicine, Biomedical Sciences, Law, Economics, Management, Politics and Social Studies. By finalizing the results of their research project in an independent study paper of publishable quality, students will also have improved their writing and presentation skills. Students also take a course in language and culture during a European orientation program.
More information on program specifics can be found at the EuroScholars website. For a database of available research projects, examine the Research Project Searchable Database.
To see what kind of credit students in past semesters have received for courses taken on this program, visit the EuroScholars Course Equivalency List. Keep in mind you will need to complete the course equivalency process once you have been accepted to your program and after you have completed your registration abroad. To obtain specific instructions on this process visit our Course Equivalencies page. To learn how the courses on this program can work into your individual degree audit, meet with your academic adviser.
To see what Penn State students have previously taken on this program, see the Historical Course List, which is meant to be a guide as to what courses might be available and how they might transfer to Penn State. Courses listed here may not be offered during the semester you attend the program and the credit amount or course title may have changed.
Note: You are not limited to choosing classes on the program Historical Course List. You should consult the full list of courses on the host institution page before choosing a program.
Course Selection
To find appropriate courses that will fit into your degree requirements, you will need to work with your academic adviser. Suggested tips:
- Research courses available on your program
- Meet with your academic adviser to discuss potential courses abroad and your degree requirements
- Keep in mind that courses abroad may change or may be unavailable for your selected term, so you will need to discuss possible back-up course options
- To register for courses on this program you will work with your host institution
Academic Policies
- Depending on a program you chose, as well as the field of your study you will enroll in one course and work on a research project; take multiple courses; or work only on a research project.
- The minimum and maximum number of credits is 15.
- You cannot take any courses abroad on a Pass/Fail basis.
- You may not take sport or physical activity courses (e.g. sailing, bowling, yoga, etc.) abroad.
- If you are studying abroad in your final semester at Penn State, please note that Penn State may not receive your grades in time for graduation.
Course Equivalency Process
In order for courses from abroad to appear on your Penn State transcript, each course must be given a course equivalency. Please visit the Academics section of the Penn State Global website for information on the course equivalency process.
Courses can be submitted for course equivalency before, during, or after the education abroad program, however, you should begin this process as soon as possible as it can take on average 2-4 months or more for courses to receive a Penn State course number. In some cases, it can be difficult to obtain syllabi from abroad before the start of the term, but when possible, courses can be submitted for review before departure. Talk to your Education Abroad Adviser about requesting syllabi.
Grade and Credit Conversion Scale
Grades and credit conversions from your host institution cannot be changed. They will be converted to Penn State credits and grades based on the following scales:
Grade Conversion Scale
|
ETH Zurich and Universite de Geneva |
Penn State Grade |
|
6.0-5.75 |
A |
|
|
A- |
|
|
B+ |
|
5.5 - 5.25 |
B |
|
|
B- |
|
|
C+ |
|
5.0 - 4.75 |
C |
|
4.0 |
D |
|
3.5 - 2.00 |
F |
Instructions and Terminology
ECTS is a credit system designed to make it easier for students in Europe to move between different countries. Since they are based on the learning achievements and workload of a course, a student can transfer their ECTS credits from one European university to another so they are added up to contribute to an individual's degree program or training.
The rough equivalent of 5 ECTS credits is 2.5 American credits, Therefore we advise to transfer credits along this 2:1 ratio.
Program Costs
The information provided applies to all European institutions.
Fall Costs
Spring Costs*
The cost of a program is based on Penn State tuition rates and partner institution fees. Due to the variety of locations and partner institutions, costs will vary depending on the program. Education Abroad works closely with our partners to ensure the most accurate cost estimates, however, fees can change quickly and without prior notice. Consult the cost sheets for your chosen program often and if you have any questions please contact your Education Abroad Adviser.
Scholarships
The Education Abroad Office awards a number of grants and scholarships to students who participate in an education abroad program through Penn State Global. The application for the scholarships awarded through the Education Abroad Office is included with your program application. Eligibility is based on academic merit and/or financial need. You must have a current FAFSA on file to be awarded. There are additional scholarship opportunities through our partner universities, Penn State Academic Departments, and other sources. To view a full list of scholarships, eligibility requirements, and deadlines visit Funding Study Abroad.
Program Specific Scholarships
EuroScholars Grants and other scholarship opportunities specific for this program are available.
Student Aid
Penn State students who plan to study on a Penn State approved program can use most forms of financial aid towards the cost of the program. Exceptions include work-study awards and some athletic scholarships. If you have specific questions regarding your aid awards, contact the Penn State Office of Student Aid.
Withdrawal & Refund Policy
Withdrawal and refund details are dependent on the timing and reason for your withdrawal from a Penn State Education Abroad Program. For specific details and steps on how to withdraw, read the Education Abroad Policies.
After Commitment
Once a student has committed to a Penn State Education Abroad program, they are financially responsible for any fees incurred on their behalf. Therefore, if a student plans to withdraw from a program it is their responsibility to immediately notify the Education Abroad office, in writing; email is preferred.
Regardless of the timing or reason for the withdrawal, the student will be responsible for paying the Education Abroad Administrative Fees. Additional fees from the partner institution will be assessed according to their withdrawal and refund policies at the date of the withdrawal notice.
After the Start of the Program
If a student withdraws after the start of a program, any adjustment of Penn State tuition charges will be made according to the Tuition Adjustment Schedule as determined by the Office of the Bursar. Students may be responsible for up to 100% of program costs. In most cases, partial credit cannot be awarded for leaving a program before its successful completion.
For additional information on withdrawal policies, separate and apart from financial consequences, please consult the University Senate Policy on Withdrawal and Leave of Absence.