DUS News - November 18, 2019

News: 
International Education Week

Did you know that Penn State recognizes students from more than 100 countries around the world? Or that we are ranked 19th nationally for the number of students studying abroad? Help Penn State celebrate our global community by taking part in International Education Week. International Education Week is a world-wide, federally recognized week of celebrating international education and exchange. Take the time to broaden your perspective, and learn about a culture different than your own. Events will be hosted by colleges, campuses, units, and centers all around Penn State during the week of November 18–22, so be sure to check them out! 

How To Get Started with Study Abroad

Are you interested in completing a portion of your education while abroad? Need more information? The Global - Penn State website is a great place to start. You will find information for students, parents and families as well as a page with details for each of the campuses. Concerned about the costs associated with study abroad? Learn about cost, funding and scholarships on the Global Penn State website. 

Important Dates: 

More events at dus.psu.edu/calendar.

Resource Spotlight: 
Global Penn State

Are you an international student? Interested in education abroad? Wanting to make a global impact? Visit the Global Penn State website to learn more about how you can think, act, and contribute globally from your campus. 

Events and Announcements: 
Explore Another Culture and Win a Prize
All Campuses

International Education Week (IEW) is next week, November 18–22. DUS invites students at all campus locations to find a fellow student who grew up in a different country than you. Have a meal together, hang out, play a game, do whatever you want to do while learning about each other's culture and country. When you're done, take a few moments and write down the most interesting thing you learned and reflect on the differences and similarities in your lives. Submit your thoughts using this online form by 12:00 p.m. on Monday, November 25, and enter to win an international food prize!

Learn more about events for International Education Week on the Global Penn State website or their online flyer. 

Internships Abroad Fair
University Park

Interested in pursuing an internship abroad? Come to the Internships Abroad Fair on Tuesday, November 19 from 4:00–7:00 p.m. in Kunkle Lounge, Hammond Building. Education Abroad will promote all the available internships abroad programs that are approved for Summer 2020. The event starts at 4:00 p.m. with a presentation on academic internships abroad and a student panel where returned student interns will talk about their own experiences—their life and work abroad. The panel will also take place in the Kunkle Lounge—for 45 minutes to 1 hour— depending on students questions. Our partners will have their tables there from 4:00 p.m. as well.

Study Abroad in New Zealand and Australia
All Campuses

Interested in a great study abroad opportunity? Join Penn State’s faculty-led summer study abroad program, Indigenous Culture and the Visual Arts, and earn 3 credits in 3 weeks! This course is open to all PSU students in any major. Past participants have used these credits for general education requirements (e.g., GA, GH, BA and/or IL). Course highlights include visiting a living Maori village, taking a Hobbiton movie set tour, meeting with carving and traditional tattoo artists, visiting arts communities in the Australian Outback, and attending the annual Sydney Vivid Festival.

Come to the information session on Wednesday, November 20 at 4:00 p.m. in 210 Patterson Building to learn more! You can also visit the SOVA Down Under website: www.sovadownunder.org or contact the lead faculty, Dr. Angela Rothrock (arb184@psu.edu), for more information.

Nominate an Excellent Adviser
All Campuses

Now through Friday, December 6, students may nominate advisers for the 2020 Penn State Excellence in Academic Advising Award. Sponsored by the University Advising Council and the Office of Undergraduate Education, the award recognizes and rewards advising excellence.

One award is given annually to a faculty member and one to a professional academic adviser. All current full-time University employees with advising responsibilities and two years of advising experience at Penn State are eligible.

Students who wish to honor an adviser who has helped them navigate the University’s academic system, plan a fulfilling program of study, consider co-curricular experiences, and learn to manage their own educational journey at Penn State are welcome to complete a short, online nomination form.

Advisers selected for the 2020 Excellence in Advising Award will be recognized by the University in the spring.

Join the New Student Orientation OTeam
University Park

Interested in helping the Class of 2024 to join Penn State? Join the Orientation Team! We are seeking diverse, dedicated, enthusiastic, resourceful, and motivated students to join our 2020 Orientation Team (OTeam). New Student Orientation (NSO) begins the transition to Penn State, and the OTeam makes the difference for new students and their families. Members of the OTeam will serve as group facilitators, resource persons, role models, and ambassadors for Penn State during NSO. You can learn more about the Orientation Team by visiting oteam.psu.edu.

Try Out the Relaxation Room
University Park

Looking for a quiet place to study? The Relaxation Room, in 20 IM Building, is the perfect location! The space is open Monday–Friday from 8:00–5:00 p.m. In addition to being a quiet study space, you'll find coloring books, a zen sand garden, puzzles, and a comfortable space to take a break, relax, or study. You can use the biofeedback software programs to learn breathing exercises designed to reduce your stress level. We also have a variety of relaxation, stress reduction, mindfulness, and brain massage audio tracks. From November through March, we have light therapy boxes that you can use in the space.

The staff and students from Health Promotion and Wellness hope to see you there!

Group Advising Sessions
University Park

DUS will be holding Group Advising Sessions throughout the fall semester as a way to discuss popular advising topics with groups of students. These sessions are open to all DUS students and will help you to learn more about the topic and to ask questions in a friendly, open environment. For more information on each session, including dates and times, visit the DUS Group Advising page on our website. All sessions are held in the Grange Building Lobby, unless otherwise listed on the website. Some sessions have multiple dates and locations available.

Sessions include:

  • Exploration Workshop 
  • Interested in Smeal? 
  • Standing Out: Choosing Minors & Involvement Opportunities
  • Improve Your Study Skills
  • What Gen Eds Do I Need?
  • Afraid of Choosing the Wrong Major? 
  • Major and Career Planning
  • Scheduling Tools
  • DUS Students and Study Abroad
Alternative Breaks
All Campuses

In a few weeks, some Penn State students will spend fall break engaged in projects that connect their learning to real life. Are you interested in a unique and meaningful experience over a break? If so, check out Penn State Alternative Breaks. The deadline for applications for Spring break programs is January 19, 2020.