Study abroad with Penn State—in Turkey
Spring 2024
Turkey, a secular state with a Muslim majority, ranks 11th in global purchasing power. The tech sector expanded 36% in 2020-2021, hitting $30 billion. Coupled with a booming $1.05 billion medical tourism industry, it's an ideal venue for An Introduction to Internet of Things (loT), a healthcare-centric course on loT.
The nation's history includes the Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman empires, and landmarks like Saint Mary’s Tomb in Selcuk, Izmir. Despite travel advisories, our 2022 visit confirms Turkey's tourist safety. In 2022, Reuters highlighted 6.7 million visitors in July. Pre-pandemic, it was the world's 6th top destination with 51.2 million visitors.
During the embedded component of this course, taking in place of spring 2024, you will partner with Yasar University's Software Engineering peers this spring. To enhance collaboration, we're initiating pre-trip exchanges. These teams will undertake IoT projects, benefit from dual-university guidance, and present their results. A day with Bogazici University and an engagement with a Turkish healthcare IoT firm are also planned.
This program is designed to bolster our students’ technical capabilities, enhancing their workforce readiness, while deepening their global cultural appreciation.
Travel Itinerary (subject to change)
- Day 1 Depart Newark for Istanbul
- Prep with readings on Turkey’s history and culture.
- Day 2 Evening arrival in Istanbul
- Dinner and city exploration, including Sultanahmet.
- Day 3 Istanbul – Visit Borda Tech University
- Day 4 Guided Istanbul tour: Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace.
- Day 5 Istanbul sightseeing: Besiktas, Ortakoy, Bosphorus tour.
- Day 6 Visit Borda, a healthcare IoT firm
- Travel to Izmir.
- Day 7 Visit Yasar University in Izmir
- Meet faculty and students; Start joint IoT project
- Day 8 Continue IoT project at Yasar University; progress review
- Day 9 Prep for project presentations; present and demonstrate to faculty
- Day 10 Explore Ephesus: Temple of Artemis, House of Virgin Mary, Isa Bey Mosque, and Byzantine Castle.
- Day 11: Depart Izmir, via Istanbul, to Newark.
Expenses
International program costs, estimated at $2,500–$3,500 (subject to change), will be applied to your bursar account upon enrollment in the course, and are charged in addition to tuition paid. Grants and scholarship monies may be retroactively available through Penn State. Underwriting for each program is provided by Penn State Abington to maximize opportunities for our students to study abroad. Program costs include round-trip airfare, local ground transportation, all lodging, and some meals.
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 Embedded Courses
Traditionally, “study abroad” meant that students spent a semester in another country and attended classes at an accredited university. Short-term, faculty-led courses with an international travel component are viable alternatives as they offer solid academic international experiences at a reasonable cost with a reduced time commitment.
Students who are enrolled in a course within a faculty-led embedded course are taking an internationally focused class that includes a ten-day travel component. These study abroad programs are anchored on Penn State Abington’s campus with travel occurring over fall or spring break. Course material and lectures prepare students both academically and culturally for the short international excursion to the country of focus in the program.
Penn State Abington is committed to providing meaningful opportunities to study abroad. Exposure to other cultures is a vital step toward becoming a global citizen.
The goal of the courses with an international travel component is to embed the students into the life and culture of the university and the country they visit. Therefore, including international faculty and students at the host institution in academic and cultural activities is a highly regarded and critical component of all of Abington’s faculty-led programs.