Program Overview
Eastern Central Europe is rich with a diverse set of ethnic cultures, economic developments, and political experiments. Students participating in this program will have the opportunity to visit various Eastern and Central European countries while learning about their sustainability practices, accounting standards, and software advances.
In this intensive program, students will be immersed in the subject matter through site visits, readings, lectures, independent research, and class discussions.
During Part I of the program, students will visit transitional European countries such as:
- Berlin, Germany
- Prague, Czech Republic
- Krakow, Poland
- Budapest, Hungary
- Vienna, Austria
During Part II of the program, students will relate the business visits, lectures, and cultural experiences to the course content taught by Penn State instructor, Suzy Wright, at Maastricht University in Maastricht, The Netherlands.
Maastricht, with a population of 125,000, provides a mix of small-town charm and urban sophistication. Today the city is best known as the signing location of the Maastricht Treaty, which accelerated the process of European integration.
Maastricht is located in the southernmost part of The Netherlands, with easy access to many major points of interest in Europe. Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and The Hague are three hours to the north. The city is only sixty-four miles from Cologne and only 78 miles from Brussels. The Maastricht Aachen Airport and the central train station provide easy access to all of Europe. In the past, students have used free time on some weekends to take advantage of these opportunities.
To view a list of other programs available in this region, visit our Education Abroad Regional Program Brochures.
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The academic program taught in English consists of six weeks -- four weeks of instruction and a study tour to East Central European countries. Students must come prepared to think and discuss what they are learning. They will complete and submit assignments in each study tour destination, in addition to their course work while based in Maastricht.
Students must enroll in the following 6 credits:
IB 399 (STU2002) - Study Tour: East Central Europe (3 credits)
By participating in a two and half week traveling seminar, students will experience firsthand the differences between the cultures and economies of Central and Eastern Europe. Students will be required to think critically about these differences through various lenses and write about what they learn and their experiences.
Pre- requisites: ECON 104 required; ACCTG 211 or other intro to Accounting Management strongly recommended.
ACCTG 499 - Accounting Practices in Eastern Europe: Sustainability, Standards, and Technology (3 credits)
Instructor: Suzanne Wright
Modern day businesses are experiencing three mega-trends: an increasingly global economy, scarce and inequitable distribution of resources, and the massive emergence of technology. Students interested in business must possess skills to navigate this complex global environment. This course will explore various aspects of these mega-trends with emphasis on:
- Corporate Sustainability Strategies and Reporting
- Comparison of International reporting standards to those generally acceptable in the United States
- Enterprise Resource Planning Using SAP software
Pre- requisites: ECON 104 required; ACCTG 211 or Intro to Accounting Management strongly recommended.
You will receive credit for all academic courses taken at this 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.
Pre-requisites
Successful applicants will satisfy the pre-requisites established by the program leader.
- ECON 104 required; ACCTG 211 or other intro to Accounting Management strongly recommended
- Minimum 2.75 grade-point average
- Sophomore class standing or higher at time of study
Students from all majors are welcome to apply.
Housing and Meals
In Maastricht, all students will stay in shared apartments located a short walk from the city center. Cooking facilities are available in the apartments. On the study tour, students will stay in modest hotels. Students will be responsible for paying for all meals.
Program Costs
For more information on program costs, please be sure to review the Summer budget sheet. These budget sheets include information on costs that are billable to the bursar bill, as well as estimated additional costs. Costs vary by program, so it is important to review this information carefully.
Please note that tuition rates may vary depending on major and class standing.
Financial Aid & Scholarships
Penn State students studying through Education Abroad can use most components of their existing financial aid packages toward the cost of study abroad. This may include federal and state grants, VA educational benefits, federal student loans, and University scholarships and grants. Notable exceptions include work-study awards and some athletic scholarships.
The University Office of Global Programs also administers a number of grants and scholarships. Eligibility is based on academic excellence and/or financial need. There is also funding available for study abroad programs in diverse locations and for students from diverse backgrounds. In most cases, applicants should have a current year FAFSA on file with the Office of Student Aid. Funding opportunities may also be available through Penn State academic departments. For detailed information on financial aid and scholarship opportunities and application procedures, please visit the Funding Study Abroad section of the Global Penn State website.
For More Information
For more information about programs and education abroad at Penn State, we encourage you to meet with or contact our Peer Advisers. These study abroad returnees can explain program options, give an overview of the education abroad process, as well as provide information about his/her program. If you are not at University Park, contact your Campus Global Representative.
For more information regarding this program, please contact Elizabeth Labrin in the Smeal Office of International Programs. You may also schedule an appointment with the education abroad adviser for this program.
For the inside scoop on life in a foreign country, be sure to check out the Student Spotlights of Penn State students currently studying abroad.
How to Apply
If you would like to participate on this study abroad program, you will need to apply to Penn State Education Abroad by clicking the "Apply Now" button on this page.
You must complete the following materials in your application:
- Education Abroad Questionnaire
- One academic recommendation
- Signature Documents
Visit the How to Apply section of our website for more information.
Application deadline: February 1, 2018
Studying Abroad with a Disability
Many students with disabilities successfully study abroad each year. Please note that other cultures may have different attitudes and available accommodations regarding disabilities. While we cannot guarantee the accessibility of all program sites and locations, specific accommodations may be arranged in consultation with our office, the Student Disability Resources office, and our partners abroad. To prepare for success, students are strongly encouraged to research the country and program location to consider if and how they will manage their disabilities abroad in advance of selecting a program. Students with disabilities and other diverse backgrounds can begin their research on our Diversity Awareness Abroad page.
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