By The Keystone Newspaper Study abroad programs occur during the fall, winter, spring and summer.
By Katie Shank
In preparation for an upcoming series about faculty-led study abroad opportunities at KU, the Keystone Newspaper Student Publishing Group has prepared a quick introduction to all of the different study abroad opportunities being offered to students this year.
There are four different types of study abroad programs students can pick from at KU. These programs include KU-led, third-party, exchange partnerships, and studying abroad through other U.S. universities.
KU-Led
KU faculty-led programs are led by KU professors. These programs are often held outside the traditional classroom setting; students learn and work on projects as they travel around the country. During the trips, students will have the opportunity to fully immerse themselves in another culture through organized trips and community-driven service projects. Faculty-led programs typically occur during the winter or summer breaks, but this upcoming spring, KU will also be offering a study abroad program during spring break. The specific programs being offered change every year. This spring, KU will be offering a trip to Mexico. In the winter, KU students have the opportunity to travel to London. During the summer, faculty will be taking students to study abroad in Ireland, Germany & the Alps, Japan, Greece, Spain, and Zambia.
Third-Party
Third-party providers are independent organizations that run their own study abroad programs. They offer study abroad opportunities to a wide array of places around the globe during all semesters. Students enroll and take classes at an international university through a third-party provider. Third-party providers also offer internship opportunities, which can be taken on in addition to classes or done alone. Third-party study abroad programs often provide students with support services, orientations, cultural activities and field trips. KU is currently affiliated with four third-party providers: AIFS, API, ISA, and TEAN.
Exchange Partners
For exchange programs, KU partners directly with specific international universities. For a semester to a full to a year, students from KU study abroad in one of these universities, while students from those universities study abroad here. There are eight universities that KU partners with based in seven different locations including Denmark, Taiwan, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Germany, Greece, and the Netherlands. These universities offer classes in business, professional writing/English, German language, Spanish language, ecology, and music.
Other Universities
Some other U.S. universities offer study abroad that KU students can apply to, including Temple University, Arcadia University College for Global Studies, and programs offered by PASSHE universities. Some U.S. universities, such as Temple University, have a campus directly located within the country of travel.
Students wishing to find out more about studying abroad programs and financial aid can visit My Global KU or email Dr. Kinney, kinney@kutztown.edu.