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This faculty-led, summer-in-Korea program comprises Penn State courses taught at SKKU during the second summer session.  All students participating in this program will take two courses and earn six credits.  Students must enroll in HDFS or PSYCH or SOC 499: Cross-cultural Perspectives on Good Life and Good Death (3 credits) and then will select an additional course offered by SKKU (3 credits). 
 

HDFS/PSYCH/SOC 499: Cross-cultural Perspectives on Good Life and Good Death (3 credits)

This course is intended to contribute to appreciating one’s life through understanding of one’s relationship with death both on personal and societal levels.  Taking comparative perspectives, this required course examines the diversity of death-related encounters, attitudes, and societal interpretations of life and death. Examining the variegated meanings in different social institutional spheres, such as ethics, politics, mass media, and family from a cross-cultural perspective, the course helps students recognize and appreciate that death and bereavement are deeply embedded in social and cultural structures.

The course also examines how we learn about death, the typical ways in which our attitudes and beliefs are shaped, and how death and bereavement affect children, adolescents, adults, and older adults. Even though the overall framework concerns death-related topics, the majority of subjects addressed in the course will provide a unique opportunity to promote an appreciation of life and living, as well as a marvelous diversity of cultural meanings.

 
Students completing the course should be able to:
 

• be aware of universal taboos in death-related language

• recognize the social construction of meaning, both within and among cultures

• become aware of the legal and ethical issues of death and dying in an era of sophisticated technology

• understand the diversity of mourning rituals within the context of ethnic and human diversity

• engage in a constructive process of self-discovery by examining diverse points of view and reflecting upon their own emotions and beliefs regarding death and dying

• begin the process of developing personal philosophies regarding life and death.

This course will be held in Korea, and the mixture of Korean, international, and Penn State students in the same class and space will provide a setting for students to directly exchange cross-cultural global views, including personal values and ideas.  Students will be required to attend each class and complete the experiential learning activities that involve field trips and/or working collaboratively with helping professionals as a way to participate in service- learning activities. This type of hands-on engagement in South Korea is an excellent opportunity for students from any discipline to acquire knowledge about different cultures and enhance their understanding of a complex, problem-filled global community, and thus more readily recognize their global citizenship.
 

Additional SKKU International Summer Semester / ISS course (3 credits)

In addition to a required course, all students participating in the program will select one other course offered by SKKU during the International Summer Semester (ISS). You can view the courses available last summer on the 2017 ISS Course Listing page. Many courses are available for PSU students. Upon completion of an ISS course, students will receive a percentage-based grade, which will count toward their Penn State cumulative GPAs.

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

There are no pre-requisite course requirements for this program.
 

Housing and Meals

All Penn State students participating in the program will be housed in SKKU dormitories where they can intermingle with local Korean students and international students from other parts of the world. 

Program Costs

For more information on program costs, please be sure to review the 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.
 

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 basedon 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.