Posted By: Career Enrichment Network

The Classics and Ancient Mediterranean Studies (CAMS) Department at Penn State offers a variety of faculty led study abroad programs.  One of these programs is the Rome, Italy: Study Tour of Roman History and Archaeology. Eligible students must have already completed one  year of study at Penn State and have a 2.5 minimum GPA.

Content contributed by Rachael Knodel, majoring in Anthropology and Classics and Ancient Mediterranean Studies.

This summer I participated in the Study Tour of Roman History and Archaeology. It was important for me that the location was in Italy because I am a CAMS major and I wanted some experience in the Mediterranean. This program was a great way for me to see the sites that I learn about in my classes and made it all so much more real for me. I knew when I was looking for programs that I wanted to be in the Mediterranean area and that I wanted a summer program, and this one just happened to be in my major as well. I was pretty lucky that all of these things worked out and that it was a faculty led program.

I chose the summer abroad because a lot of the classes I need for my majors are only offered certain semesters and I didn’t want to risk missing one. Also, the summer programs are nice because you get to go abroad but you don’t miss any of the events that happen during the regular school year, like THON. Another great benefit of the summer abroad programs is that as an out-of-state student, I paid the same amount as in-state students.  I am involved in the CAMS club, Archaeology club, and I am on a committee for THON this year.

I hope to one day become a professor of Classics, so I will be heading to graduate studies after graduating from Penn State. One day, I would love to lead my own study abroad trip and having my own experience of being on one I can draw from that. Also, just having the opportunity to go and see the places that I’ve been learning about for all this time is a great and irreplaceable opportunity that I’m incredibly grateful for. My advisers were both very helpful in communicating how studying abroad at different times (Fall, Spring, or Summer) would impact my graduation time. I also was lucky and received scholarships from the CAMS Department, the Anthropology Department, and through the Enrichment Funds.

If you can afford it, absolutely do it. Whether you go for a semester, a week, or a year, studying abroad changes your life. I have never encountered anyone who came back from studying abroad and regretted their decision to go abroad. While abroad you learn so much and you meet so many great people. It’s a wonderful opportunity and if you can find a way to fit it in and make it benefit you in some way, go for it. Studying abroad has been one of the greatest experiences of my life.

Applications are open for this Summer 2016 and are due on February 1, 2016. All Liberal Arts students studying abroad are eligible for Enrichment Funding. To learn more, please schedule an appointment viaNetwork Symplicity or email Jackie Smith, Global Experiences Coordinator (jds54@psu.edu).