Faculty-led, world-focused

Penn State faculty-led programs offer students the guidance of trusted faculty, with the freedom to explore the world. Our faculty will create the ideal itinerary for you.

This program is an in-depth exploration of the process of European integration. The students will have the opportunity to learn about the history, institutions, and policies of the European Union (EU). They will also explore contemporary issues such as the eastward expansion of the EU and the question of European identity. In this intensive course the students will be immersed in the subject matter through readings, lectures, independent research, and class discussions. During the study tour part of the program the students will have the opportunity to visit a number of the institutions they will study during the course work part of the program held in Maastricht. The stops on last year's study tour included Geneva, Strasbourg, Paris, Frankfurt, Reims, and Brussels.

Maastricht, with a population of 125,000, provides a mix of small-town charm and urban sophistication. Originally situated at a shallow ford on the Maas River, Maastricht was used by the Romans as a crossing point to reach their base in Aachen, Germany. In medieval times Charlemagne incorporated the city into the Holy Roman Empire. In subsequent ages a number of European powers fought for control of Maastricht, due to its strategic location and formidable system of fortifications (still standing in many parts of the city). Today the city is best known for the Maastricht Treaty, which accelerated the process of European integration.

Maastricht is located in the southernmost part of The Netherlands, with easy access to many major points of interest in Europe. Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and The Hague are three hours to the north. The city is only sixty-four miles from Brussels and a mere thirty miles from Cologne. The Maastricht Central train station provides easy access to all of Europe. In the past, students have used free time on the weekends to take advantage of these opportunities.