Short-Term Study Abroad with Penn State in Poland
May 14-23, 2026
The Study of Extreme Violence and Altruism in Poland
Explore Poland’s contrasts from the modern capital of Warsaw to the historic and cultural heart of Krakow and their rich and complex history steeped in cruelty and compassion.
Led by faculty, your small group will spend nine days learning about this Central European country’s pivotal role in 20th-century history—from the Nazi invasion that sparked World War II to the Soviet occupation throughout the Cold War.
In Krakow, you’ll study the Holocaust at the Auschwitz concentration camp and the factory owned by Oskar Schindler, who saved more than 1,000 of his Jewish employees.
Auschwitz
Through university and company visits along with historical and cultural tours, you’ll gain the context to analyze today's global challenges, from rising global authoritarianism or the refugee crisis arising from Russia's invasion of the Ukraine.
Who Can Enroll?
Any Penn State Abington student can register for the course, which meets on campus during the spring 2026 semester and features travel from May 14 to 23 (after the spring 2026 semester ends). The course, PSYCH 499, can count toward the general education IL requirement.
Apply Now! Deadline: Nov. 15, 2025. Seats often fill by Nov. 1.
Aerial view Warsaw, Poland
Expenses
The cost is approximately $3,500 ($3,000 for Pell Grant recipients) including all ground transportation, airfare, hotels, tours, and breakfasts. Charges will be applied to your bursar account upon enrollment in the course in addition to your tuition.
Contact Melanie Boston, Embedded Programs Liaison, at [email protected] for information about scholarships, grants, and financial support from Penn State and other sources.
Additional costs: Passport* and visa* fees, lunches, dinners, and free time activities.
*A valid passport is required for international travel. Non-U.S. citizens may require a visa in addition to their passport. Non-U.S. citizens should consult their embassy for information and may ask the Office of Global Programs for guidance.
About Short-Term Study Abroad (Embedded) Courses
Penn State Abington offers short-term, faculty-led courses with international travel components as a viable alternative to traditional semester-long study abroad. The courses offer academic travel experiences with reduced costs and time commitments.
These internationally focused courses include up to 10 days of travel during semester breaks. Course material and lectures prepare students both academically and culturally for the international excursion.
The goal is to embed students into the life and culture of the country they visit. Therefore, including international faculty and students at a host institution in academic and cultural activities is a highly regarded and critical component of all of Abington’s faculty-led programs.
Questions?
Melanie Boston
Embedded Programs Liaison
[email protected]