UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State is offering students new study-abroad opportunities in Sweden and Denmark, which will be particularly beneficial to students in the College of Health and Human Development as the program offers coursework directly related to such majors.
Students can now study with DIS, a reputable provider of study-abroad programs, at either its Stockholm or Copenhagen location. DIS Copenhagen offers 24 academic programs and DIS Stockholm offers seven. Both programs are one semester. DIS Copenhagen also offers summer options that vary in duration.
“The DIS Copenhagen and DIS Stockholm programs will greatly expand opportunities for students in many of our majors to take coursework abroad that is directly related to their major,” said Abby Diehl, assistant dean for alumni relations and special projects in the College of Health and Human Development. “Many of the programs offered by DIS have a focus on health or human development.”
For example, the “Child Development and Diversity” program offered at the Copenhagen site may be a draw for students majoring in Human Development and Family Studies and students with an interest in early childhood education.
The “Medical Practice and Policy” program may be a good fit for students in several majors, such as Biobehavioral Health (BBH), Health Policy and Administration (HPA), Nutritional Sciences and Kinesiology, who are pursuing careers in medicine, health policy or allied health. Students in majors such as BBH or HPA may also have an interest in the neuroscience (Copenhagen site only) or public health programs.
Both DIS programs offer an academically rigorous, hands-on curriculum in English that is unique to each student’s needs. Courses are designed to further students’ knowledge within their chosen fields and inspire intercultural awareness. Students will determine their own academic program at DIS based on their core class choice. Core courses include a week-long study tour to a relevant European destination and a core course week, comprised of a two-day seminar in Stockholm and three-day short study tour. Both study tours are faculty-led and integrated into the curriculum.
“DIS offers so many wonderful academic and cultural options for our students,” Diehl said. “Each of DIS’s academic programs has a week-long study tour attached to it, giving students the opportunity to visit another location in Europe to learn more about the topic they are studying.”
Housing will be arranged by DIS. Some housing options include a homestay, co-ed residential building; living and learning communities based on shared common interests; and a residential community in a dorm or apartment with other DIS students.
Most housing options also include most meals or a food stipend, laundry facilities and a transportation pass for students’ daily commute to DIS.
Interested students may apply until Sept. 15 to attend the spring 2018 program. The program is open to all Penn State students through the University Office of Global Programs (UOGP). For more information, contact Diehl at agc105@psu.edu or 814-863-2207.
Over the years, the DIS name has evolved. Previously, the program was known as the Danish Institute for Study Abroad. After adding a new study abroad location in Sweden, the program is known simply as DIS, with locations DIS Copenhagen and DIS Stockholm.