UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State Global’s Education Abroad office is starting a new initiative called “Back to the World.” Students are encouraged to get back out into the world by taking advantage of funding opportunities available through the program. As vaccines become more widely available and international travel resumes, the hope is that the University can return to and even exceed pre-pandemic numbers in student mobility.

This is the crux of the idea behind Back to the World — to get back to the level of participation pre-pandemic. Academic year 2019-20 would have seen the highest number of education abroad participants ever in a single year at Penn State. In March 2020, the pandemic hit, forcing students to rush to return to the United States or keeping them from participating at all. For the next 15 months, everyone would stay in lockdown and international travel would be severely restricted. While students were still able to complete some experiences digitally, such as EDGE programs or virtual internship programs, physical study abroad could not take place.

With the return of in-person instruction and the possibility of international travel, the Education Abroad office felt inspired to try to recapture some of the pre-pandemic travel energy.

“Brian [Brubaker, assistant vice provost for global learning] came to our team and asked, ‘What could we do with more funding for study abroad?’” Briana Casey, academic services manager in Education Abroad, recalled. “He challenged our group to come up with creative ideas to help reach more students through increased funding opportunities.”

The Education Abroad team worked together to create a proposal, which was ultimately accepted, and the “Back to the World” initiative was born. The initiative will last through academic year 2022-23, providing funding in different ways — and for different purposes — for students studying abroad.

“Most of these scholarships are planning scholarships,” says Sara Paliga, education abroad adviser — meaning that students are selected for awards now that they can use in future education abroad programs. “They’re available to anyone, on any campus, going on any type of program.”

The initiative has six major funding opportunities, with more in the works. For the majority of these awards, no additional application is needed beyond the initial application for the education abroad program.

The funding opportunities are:

Back to the World Customized Program Award: Students participating on a Penn State approved faculty-led freestanding or faculty-led embedded program will have the opportunity to earn a $500 scholarship toward their experience. This award will be based on both financial need and academic merit. Students will be selected by the Education Abroad scholarship committee.

Back to the World General Award: Students participating on any Penn State approved education abroad program (including embedded programs, internship programs and research abroad programs) will have the opportunity to earn a $1,000 scholarship toward their experience. This award will be based on both financial need and academic merit. Students will be selected by the Education Abroad scholarship committee.

Back to the World Passport Award: Students applying for any Penn State approved education abroad program (does not include virtual programs or embedded programs) will have the opportunity to opt-in to a chance to receive a free passport. Students will be selected on a first come, first served basis and will be notified via email if they have been selected. Those selected will receive $150 towards a passport and will be invited to join information sessions where they will be guided through the process.

Give Back to the World Sustainability Scholars Program: Students interested in sustainable practices and advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals are encouraged to apply to this scholars program, which includes funding towards an approved Penn State education abroad experience. Students will need to apply to this program outside of their education abroad application, indicating how they plan to implement sustainable practices while abroad and upon returning "home." Those selected will participate in a series of sustainability related events, in partnership with Penn State's Sustainability Institute, including a symposium where they will present on their education abroad experience upon returning.

Back to the World Writing and Video Contest Award: Penn State Education Abroad will be hosting a writing and video contest for students interested in studying abroad in any future term. Students will be selected and notified by the contest committee via email. The scholarship will be applied at the time of the student's education abroad program. First place will receive $1,500 and second place will receive $1,000. Please note: Students do not need to have an open application to an education abroad program at the time of the contest.

Additionally, students who attended the 2021 Education Abroad Fair in October were automatically entered to a chance to win $500 towards a future Penn State approved Education Abroad experience. This applies to students who attended any of the online or virtual events, University Park in-person fair, and the Penn State Altoona or Penn State Abington Education Abroad Fairs.

Thirty-five (35) students were selected for this award, with nearly a third of them coming from campuses other than University Park. Overall, five campuses were represented in the selections. Education Abroad is planning to offer the same incentive for next year’s Education Abroad Fair.

“We’re excited about the opportunities Back to the World funding provides on several fronts,” said Brian Brubaker, assistant vice provost for global learning. “First and foremost, it offers vital scholarship money for students committed studying abroad.  However, it also gives Penn State a chance to support learning abroad that intersects with interdisciplinary learning and our core values.  For example, the Back to the World funding campaign will include special support for students who need to apply for a passport for the first time as well as special scholarships aimed at the sustainability-focused learning abroad.”

For students who are interested in participating in the video and writing contest, the deadline is Nov. 15. Students who are interested in the passport award for Summer 2022 need to opt-in on their education abroad application by Dec. 10.

For more information, visit the Back to the World website or contact Briana Casey at bkc5202@psu.edu or Sara Paliga at spp5879@psu.edu.