Study Abroad Information for Faculty and Staff
The Internationalization Council makes available professional development grants for faculty leading approved trips abroad. To find out more details about the grants, please read page 8 of the Faculty-Led Study Abroad Handbook.
There are several ways faculty and staff are part of study abroad here at PSU. Faculty can lead groups of students abroad on a study abroad program. Also faculty may have an advisee who is planning to study abroad on an individual program. Students may ask you as a trusted member of the PSU faculty and staff about study abroad and opportunities here.
This page is designed to help you answer these and other questions. There is information for future and current faculty leaders abroad below. For more information about advising a study abroad student, click here.
Prospective Study Abroad Faculty Leaders
If you want to find out more about planning a PSU Group Study Abroad, read through this section. Then contact the Study Abroad Coordinator to discuss your idea for a program and with any questions.
1. The Faculty led Group Study Abroad Programs Handbook
The Faculty-led Group Study Abroad Programs Handbook was written by members of the PSU Study Abroad Committee to provide guidelines for faculty planning group study abroad programs. It is a good way to get an idea of the work involved in planning and implementing a study abroad program.
Pay close attention to the details that are involved in planning a program, the process to have your program approved, and the timelines explained in the Handbook.
2. Talk with colleagues and the Study Abroad Coordinator
After reviewing the handbook, contact the Study Abroad Coordinator with questions. The coordinator will also be able to tell you how other faculty have planned programs in the past.
There are many members of the faculty that have led and continue to lead programs. They are a great resource for faculty who want to plan a program but have not done it before.
There are many ways to plan a program. Some faculty work with our sister universities abroad in order to plan out a program. Others work through travel companies that specifically work creating group programs for universities. And finally, others work through contacts and connections that they have to create a program on their own.
3. Work with a "veteran" faculty leader to plan and carry out a study abroad program
Take it a step further. Some faculty on campus have taken several groups of students abroad. The study abroad coordinator can help pair you with one of these faculty so you can experience what goes into creating and carrying out a study abroad program before leading a program on your own.
4. Other Resources
Faculty-led 360 General Information about faculty-led study abroad programs
Organizations that have customized programs for PSU faculty members in the past:
ISA API Global Crossroad Proworld
Customized Program Providers Links to organizations that can take care of logistics
EF College Study Tours has several study tours available to choose from.
Current Faculty Leaders
Approval Process
Once you have an idea of your program and have begun the first stages of planning, you must have your Group Program approved by the PSU Study Abroad Committee. You must complete the Faculty Proposal. Submit the proposal to the Study Abroad Coordinator in International Programs and Services.
Your program should be approved at least eight months before the planned departure date. Be sure to include all the items stated on the application including a course syllabus, an itinerary, a budget, and approval from the department chair and dean among other pieces.
After your program has been approved. You can continue with the planning efforts that are outlined in the Handbook.
There are many steps to preparing for a faculty led program after approval. For further explanation of promotion, paperwork, study abroad stipends, orientations and more click here.