ISA (International Studies Abroad)

Granada is such an incredible city with vibrant student life and opportunities to connect with others! There are so many restaurants to check out that offer some amazing, typical Spanish dishes all within easy walking distance of the university and housing! Granada connected me with some of my closest friends, really becoming my home and opportunity to travel and see new places I could have never imagined! The program includes several trips covered in the overall cost to cities such as Madrid, Toledo, Sevilla, and Cordoba with visits to attractions like the Real Alcazar (used during filming of Game of Thrones) and the Alhambra, the crown jewel of Granada! There are so many great opportunities to have in the city, and it's very affordable too! See Granada for yourself and have the best semester!

Studying abroad in Australia during university had always been a dream of mine and I am so happy I was able to go with a TEAN/ISA program! This program was extremely helpful and supportive throughout my application process, once I arrived in Sydney, all the way until it was time to head back home to the US. The staff are always available to answer any and all questions applying students may have and provide thorough instructions on how to complete the application process. Once you arrive in Australia, all students attend a 5-day orientation packed with so many fun activities where you get to know your peers and how to best assimilate to the Aussie lifestyle. Throughout the semester, the program hosts multiple different cultural experiences and events. The program provides many resources and point of contacts students can utilize throughout their stay to make their stay as enjoyable as possible. I would highly recommend for everyone to study abroad during their time in university, and if you choose to do so, go with a TEAN/ISA program! You will not regret it, the memories will last a lifetime!

For four months, I studied and lived in Milan, Italy. I arrived in January, and adapted to the Milanese way of life and embraced the culture entirely. I have entirely fell in love with Milan, grown significantly more comfortable in my Italian language skills, and met so many wonderful people. Most weeks, I traveled on the weekends to other European nations; during the week, I made sure to visit a new museum or place of cultural significance. I am constantly learning and am in awe of something new each day. As an Italian major, this experience has allowed me to finally be immersed in the subject that I have been studying for years. Although I have been fortunate to study Italian prior to my time as a student at Penn State University, I believe that being put in real-life situations has challenged me to develop my Italian skills significantly. At the doctor's office or the hair salon, I surprised myself finding the correct Italian words, when under pressure to describe an ailment or hair color shade. Being in an Italian-speaking environment has allowed me to utilize my textbook education towards real-world application.

Going abroad with ISA was one of the best decisions of my life, even though it tragically got cut short by COVID. I went abroad in Spring of 2020 and I had the most amazing 6 weeks of my life. I loved the university, Le Catho, where I studied French language and culture. My French skills grew exponentially in that short period of time. I chose to live in a homestay which was really special because I developed a beautiful relationship with my host mother. I also loved the excursions they took us on, such as Normandy and Mont Michel! The on-site staff were also amazing people, allowing for a seamless transition from arrival to daily life. Getting sent home from COVID was very jarring, and hard for both myself and ISA. They were able to do the best they could in the circumstances and I was appreciative of their support during those hard times.

Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, my study abroad program was canceled. Despite this, the Gilman Scholarship offered options to use our award for virtual learning opportunities. I decided to look for programs through International Studies Abroad (ISA), which had many virtual learning choices. I was excited to find a program that aligned with my major in San Jose, Costa Rica that focused on health psychology.

Through virtual learning, I engaged with a diverse team from different nations including my Costa Rican professor which broadened my general understanding of health psychology, social context, influence, health, and illness from a cultural perspective. Ultimately, what I valued most about this experience was learning the differences in cultures between two countries. As a future psychologist, it is important to recognize the differences in cultures since it plays in important roles in influencing human behavior. I believe that studying abroad is crucial for education because it allows you to gain a cultural perspective that you can apply to your professional journey, no matter your field. I especially appreciate that the ISA, despite COVID-19, managed to help me find virtual learning options because they recognize the importance of studying abroad, even though a computer screen. Although, I would prefer to study in Costa Rica in person, it was certainly a cultural exchange and a great opportunity to meet individual from different nations who are interested in the same issues I am.