Embedded Global Programs
What is an embedded program?
A Penn State faculty-led embedded program is a short-term education abroad experience that is offered as a component or supplement to an academic course taught in residence on a Penn State campus or online. The international component is typically scheduled during a semester break or early summer, and it generally lasts 7-14 days. Embedded programs are ideal for students who are interested in short-term intercultural learning experiences during the semester breaks.
Fall Semester
Hannover, Germany
ME 399: Sustainable Product Development
Course Fee: $2,600 (estimated)
Travel: Fall Break (Nov 22-29, 2025)
Fall Course: T/Th 9:05 AM - 10:20 AM
This course challenges students to rethink the entire product development process—from material selection to design and manufacturing—through the lens of sustainability. This course explores the trade-offs between product performance, cost, quality, and environmental impact, providing a comprehensive understanding of sustainable engineering practices. Students pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering can use this course to satisfy their Engineering Technical Elective. Other majors may also be accepted. This project-based course is jointly taught by Penn State Mechanical Engineering and Leibniz University Hannover (LUH) faculty. Students from both universities will engage in virtual collaborations throughout the semester, working on innovative design solutions that integrate sustainability principles. In addition to final design work and project presentations at LUH, students will get cultural and professional experiences including company visits such as Volkswagen and Bosch.
Key topics include lifecycle analysis, circular economy, and design for disassembly.
For more information, contact Sachin Gore at sag114@psu.edu.
Spring Semester
Aruba
ME 399: Sustainable Energy Production: Small Island Perspectives
Course fee: approximately $2,100, plus flights
Travel: Spring Break
Small island nations such as Aruba are highly exposed to risks from climate change and high energy prices. At the same time, there is the potential for sustainable production and utilization of energy from solar, wind, and other renewable resources. Solving big problems like providing clean energy and water require working in global teams to understand the opportunities and constraints in different parts of this world. To help you gain this experience, we have developed a collaborative embedded course with the University of Aruba. You will initially learn and work together remotely with students at the University of Aruba to explore the operational principles of different energy-consuming and producing technologies. During spring break, you will travel to Aruba to participate in joint lectures, technical and cultural tours, and to meet with your multi-university project team for the design and analysis of an energy system. Students will spend the remainder of the semester working together on the joint project, concluding in a final report and remote joint presentation.
Penn State students will earn 3 credits of ME 399. This is an approved General Technical Elective for Mechanical Engineering majors. Other majors should work with their academic advising team to assess how counts towards your program. The on-campus portion course is scheduled from 9:00–9:55 a.m. on Wednesday and Friday for spring 2025. Remote, synchronous participation for Commonwealth Campus students is available. More information can be found here, or by emailing Dr. Brian Fronk at bmf141@psu.edu and Dr. Margaret Busse at mmbusse@psu.edu.
Apply by December 1.
Brazil
ENGR 399 / 499: Engineering in the Amazonas
Course fee: TBD
Travel: May 11 – 24 (tentative)
Penn State University’s Mechanical Engineering and Research program in Manaus Brazil, provides students with the opportunity to engage in a technical engineering program while learning about the culture and the engineering challenges of operating in one of the most important regions of the world, the Amazon rainforest. The program takes place in the state of Amazonas (AM) in the northern region of Brazil: Manaus (the capital). Located in the heart of the Amazon Rainforest, it is home to the National Institute of Amazonian Research. Students will have the opportunity to meet with engineering experts and the local community. They will apply their engineering skills in experiential learning activities of data capture techniques, land development design, and STEM communication.
Santiago, Chile
STS 245N: Globalization, Technology, and Ethics
Course fee: approximately $2,900, plus flights
Travel: Spring Break
This spring embedded course prepares students (especially but not limited to engineering, information sciences & technology, and business students) who are headed into the corporate, NGO (non-profit), or government sectors for the challenges and realities of working in a rapidly globalizing world. This course will encourage students to become leaders in a mobile and diverse transnational workplace and help them to become critical citizens of that world. Through team-centered projects and readings from the social sciences and humanities, students will broaden their understanding of engineering, technology, and culture and then be introduced to how one makes ethical decisions about that world. This course is designed to provide skills, theories, and a global experience that will help them develop global competencies for successfully working with technology in multiple cultures and contexts. Students from all majors are encouraged to apply.
This Interdomain course satisfies IL, GH, and GS
For more information, contact Dr. Angela Rothrock, arb184@psu.edu.
Sydney, Australia
STS 425: Globalization, Technology, and Ethics
Course fee: approximately $3,450, plus flights
Travel: Winter Break (Dec 27-Jan 10)
This spring-embedded program travels to Sydney, Australia, for an immersive experience during Penn State's winter break, then moves to an asynchronous web format for the remainder of the semester. While abroad, students will tour built and natural environments to learn about the social and environmental complexities of redevelopment in an urban context. Course participants will broaden their understanding of ethical and sustainable redevleopment through team-centered projects and readings from the social sciences and humanities.
Students from all majors and campuses are welcome to participate.
This 3-credit interdomain course fulfills GS, GH, and IL knowledge domains.
For more information, contact Dr. Angela Rothrock (arb184@psu.edu).
Apply by October 15.
Taipei, Taiwan
ENGR411 Entrepreneurship Business Fundamentals, 3 credits (ENGR 499, 1 credit)
Course Fee: $1,000, plus flights
Travel: Spring Break 2025
The Product Innovation Cluster of the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Minor presents an action-packed spring break program in Taipei, Taiwan, offering students a unique opportunity to explore the vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem of this dynamic city. Participants will engage with local entrepreneurs, gaining insights into their journeys and experiences. The program includes visits to large-scale Asian manufacturing facilities, providing a firsthand look at production processes in the region. Students will also interact with Taiwanese university peers, comparing marketing and entrepreneurship practices between Taiwan and the US. Beyond business insights, the trip encompasses cultural exploration, including visits to historic sites and immersion in Taiwanese culture. This embedded experience is open to students enrolled in Spring ‘25 ENGR 411, Entrepreneurship Business Fundamentals, as well as those who have completed the course previously. Priority consideration is given to students pursuing the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Minor. With only 12 slots available, interested students are encouraged to apply promptly for this immersive and educational spring break adventure in Taipei.
Questions: eship@engr.psu.edu
Apply by November 1.
May
Kenya
Humanitarian Engineering and Social Entrepreneurship (HESE)
Travel: TBD
During the HESE field experience, you will live, work, and play in a community in Kenya for the month of May while you collaborate on ventures and technologies that impact the world. The HESE field experience is open to all majors who are prepared to test the results of the previous HESE course. If you are interested in this field experience, please contact hese@psu.edu to join the HESE program at least one semester ahead of time.
For more information contact, hese@psu.edu.
Switzerland
ENGR 422: International Leadership of Virtual Engineering Teams
Travel: TBD
This course focuses on leading international virtual cross-cultural, interdisciplinary teams in developing engineering solutions relevant to today’s global economy. Students will have opportunities to work with students from other countries on a semester-long project. This course is only offered in the spring semester, and students are offered the option of traveling to visit their international partner team during Spring Break (South Africa) or Maymester (Switzerland).
Prerequisites: Enrolled in the Engineering Leadership Development Minor (ELD).
For more information contact, engrleadership@engr.psu.edu.
Apply by April 1.
Education Abroad Embedded Programs Scholarship
Penn State Global offers one $1,000 scholarship for embedded programs. This competitive scholarship supports Penn State undergraduate students participating in officially recognized faculty-led embedded programs.
The main factor for consideration is an applicant’s financial need. All applicants must have a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on file with the Office of Student Aid at Penn State.
Please note there is no application required to be considered for this scholarship, The Penn State Global team will utilize course rosters to determine eligible scholarship recipients.
Apply for Penn State Global's Scholarship
We encourage students to look for other funding opportunities on our website.
