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.

• See Europe and earn credits in international business.
• Experience other cultures and meet students from around the globe.
• Gain lasting memories and friendships.
• See historic sites that you've only read about.

The European Union (EU) is the world's largest economic market, exporter, and recipient of foreign investment. Among its twenty-seven member countries, Denmark stands out as one of its most international in orientation. The country has been renowned since the Viking period, more than a thousand years ago, for its external orientation and, more recently, as home to the "happiest people in the world." For such a small country, Denmark is home to many well-known companies, including the toy-maker LEGO, the Carlsberg Brewery, the Danske Bank in finance, the porcelain-maker Royal Copenhagen, Maersk in shipping, and Scandinavian Airlines. Bordering Germany and only ten miles from Sweden, Denmark is an excellent location from which to explore Scandinavia and northern Europe.

Institutionally, the program will be based at the Copenhagen Business School (CBS). The global perspective of this highly rated, world-class institution is immediately apparent from the diversity of its student enrollment, its close relationship with affiliate businesses that have a global presence, and the diversity of the faculty. The program will consist of two courses of three credits each. Students will select one course from several CBS course options. In the CBS course and in housing, the Penn State students will be mixed with students from across Europe and around the world. This program is available to students in any major with an interest in international business and is accepted for Smeal majors seeking an international business minor.

The required course, I B 399 Europe and the Global Economy, will be taught by a Penn State Smeal College of Business instructor Terrence Guay. The course will introduce the European Union as an organization of governments that was created for the purpose of improving cooperation in both economic and political matters within Europe for the benefit of its member states. How does this Union represent its members and unite them with common goals? How do these goals relate to the supply chain function and the world of finance? After studying the basic structure of the European Union and developing an understanding of its advantages and disadvantages, students will use case studies and site visits to analyze these objectives in more detail. Students are expected to think critically, ask questions, and seek answers using available research to supplement the class material and business visitations.

The program will be based in Copenhagen, but throughout the program the students will visit a variety of cultural sites in Denmark and the Nordic region. Past excursions have included curriculum-relevant sites such as Kronborg Castle, the site of inspiration for Shakespeare's Hamlet (providing a rich history of trade-related issues in the Nordic region); Roskilde (a key site of a Danish Viking community that explored and transacted with the global economy in the first millennium); several excellent museums; and company visits.

Courses Offered

B A 499 (3 credits) Foreign Study: Business Administration

I B 399 (3 credits) Foreign Study: Europe and the Global Economy

Terrence Guay (International Business) will teach I B 399. Instructors at the Copenhagen Business School will teach B A 499.

For B A 499, students will select from several options. The summer 2012 course offerings are the following:

• HA HU4B Entrepreneurship and Small Business Formation 
• HA HU1H Cross Cultural and Global Marketing
• HA HU02 International Finance 
• HAI Danish for Beginners 
• HA HU8L Leading and Managing Organizations 
• HA HU8D International Business Negotiation

Both I B 399 (3 credits) and B A 499 (3 credits) are required courses. All students take 6 credits.

Course Description

I B 399 Europe and the Global Economy

This course provides an overview of Europe's role in the global economy, with particular attention given to the Scandinavian region. Given the unique setting for this course, it is appropriate to first gain a deeper understanding of the business environment of Scandinavia and the Nordic region, and that will be the primary focus of our first two weeks. Second, the course will examine the business, economic, and regulatory environment in Europe at the European Union (EU) level, with a focus on the EU's impact on international business. Third, we will study European companies that are successful in the global economy throughout the six-week period, but especially during the final week. The approach taken in this course is a multidisciplinary one, with the assumption that business executives must understand the political, cultural, institutional, historical, and geographic aspects of Europe if they are to be successful navigating the business environment of Europe. In addition to classroom lectures and discussions, the course will include field trips to companies and cultural and historical sites.

Eligibility

The program is open to all Penn State students and students from other institutions who have a minimum 2.75 grade-point average. Applicants are considered on a first-come, first-served basis. Students are encouraged to apply early, as enrollment is limited.

Faculty

Professor Terrence Guay joined the Smeal College of Business in 2004. At Smeal, he teaches International Business and National Policies, Business Environment of Europe, and Contemporary Issues in International Business at the undergraduate level, and Global Perspectives in the MBA program. In 2011, Professor Guay received the Fred Brand, Jr. Outstanding Teacher Award, the college's highest honor for teaching. He currently serves as a Resource Board Member at the Center for International Relations in Arlington, Virginia, and as a Regional Advisory Board Member for the European Union Center and the Center for West European Studies at the University of Pittsburgh. Prior to joining Smeal, Professor Guay was a faculty member in the School of International Service at American University and the Maxwell School of Syracuse University. He served for six years as the Graduate Director of the Maxwell School's International Relations Program. He also was a Regional Visiting Fellow at Cornell University's Institute for European Studies. He holds a bachelor's degree from Clarkson University, an MBA from The Ohio State University, and MA and PhD degrees from Syracuse University. Prior to earning his PhD, Professor Guay completed the National Bank of Detroit's Commercial Loan Officer Training Program and worked as an Assistant Loan Officer.

Expenses

The total program fee includes two components: tuition (6 credits) and a class fee (based on activities and location). All the students will pay the in-state tuition rate for 2012 Summer Abroad programs.

Expenses NOT covered are: (American dollars; estimated)

• passport and visa
• personal expenses
• optional excursions
• round-trip airfare (approximately $1,500 plus tax)
• most meals
• textbooks and supplies

Estimated Tuition (6 credits)

Out-of-state students will be charged the out-of-state tuition rate until the first day of the program. At that time, the students' bursar account will be adjusted to reflect the in-state tuition rate of $681 per credit.

In-state students will pay tuition according to their standing and the Penn State tuition schedule.

$4,086 in-state/out-of-state

The University reserves the right to revise the schedule of tuition and charges without further notice. For more information on tuition, visit http://tuition.psu.edu.

Published rates are effective for fall 2011 and spring 2012.

Class Fee

The class fee of  $2,895 includes housing, insurance, field trips, and administrative costs. Students will stay in a rented house in Copenhagen.

Estimated Total Program Fee

The estimated program fee of $6,981 ($1,000 nonrefundable deposit) includes tuition as well as the class fee.

Financial Aid

For alternative grant, loan, and minority scholarship information, visit the Education Abroad Financial Aid and Scholarships web page.

Refunds

All cancellations must be received by the planner in writing, by mail or fax. Do not use eLion; it does not remove you from the course, and you will be held responsible for all fees. Full refunds minus the nonrefundable $1,000 application fee will be made for cancellations received at least thirty days prior to the first day of the program. Refund requests made after that time will not be honored, and the participant or sponsoring organization will be responsible for the fees.

Information Technology Fee: 1 to 4.5 credits, $82; 5 to 8.5 credits, $180; 9 or more credits, $240

For passport information, visit www.travel.state.gov/passport.

How to Apply

Students are limited to one application in the Summer Education Abroad database; however, if dates allow, applicants may participate in more than one program.

If you are interested in having your application ‘copied’ to additional programs, please email summerabroad@outreach.psu.edu. The $1,000 nonrefundable deposit must be submitted for each program in order for the applications to be complete. The deposits are later credited to the class fee or refunded if the student is not accepted. Please email summerabroad@outreach.psu.edu if you have any questions.

Submit your online application through Penn State Education Abroad. 

APPLICATION DEADLINE: February 17, 2012

Deposit: The $1,000 nonrefundable deposit must be submitted to complete an application. If the student is not accepted, the deposit is refunded. Otherwise, the deposit is applied to the class fee.

Cancellation: The University may cancel or postpone any course or activity because of insufficient enrollment or other unforeseen circumstances. If a program is canceled or postponed, the University will refund registration fees but cannot be held responsible for any other related costs, charges, or expenses, including cancellation/change charges assessed by airlines or travel agencies.

Access: Penn State encourages persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing special accommodations or have questions about the physical access provided, please contact the planner, Lisa Clapper, at lrc139@psu.edu or 814-863-5144.

Space may be available after the application deadline. Please contact the planner to determine availability and/or to be added to the waiting list.

 

Contact Us

Regarding program content:
Terrence Guay
The Pennsylvania State University
324 Business Building
University Park PA 16802
Phone: 814-865-8490
Email: trg12@psu.edu

Regarding application process:
Lisa Clapper, Program Planner
The Pennsylvania State University
240 Outreach Building
University Park PA 16802
Phone: 800-252-3592
Fax: 814-865-3749
Email: SummerAbroad@outreach.psu.edu

Regarding financial aid:
Office of Student Aid
The Pennsylvania State University
314 Shields Building
University Park PA 16802
Phone: 814-865-6301

For alternative grant, loan, and minority scholarship information, visit the Education Abroad Financial Aid and Scholarships web page.