Jewish Studies Program

 

Jewish Studies Program Study-Abroad Opportunities

 

An important goal for any undergraduate is to seize the opportunity to spend time living and studying abroad. The personal benefits are extraordinary. For a Jewish Studies student study-abroad is even more essential.  Several types of engagement stand out. Most challenging is to take up the study of Jewish history and culture in a semester-long program at a foreign university.  Improving political circumstances have now opened the door somewhat to allow Penn State undergraduates now to enroll in some programs in Israel. Other study-abroad experiences are more sort term. The ancient historical and religious roots of the Jewish people lie in the lands along the eastern Mediterranean littoral. Numerous archaeological field projects provide the chance for a personal contribution to the production of new knowledge about the experiences that forged Israelite identity in the power politics of ancient Mediterranean and Near Eastern societies. Participation in one of these “digs” carries the extra benefit  of learning about life in the modern state of Israel with its kaleidoscope of Jewish tradition. “Diaspora” is almost synonymous with “Jewish historical experience” so important study-abroad programs can be pursued in various parts of Europe and the Americas.  In recent years the Program has conducted short-term experiences in Berlin and Paris, an initiative that will be expanded in future years. Jewish Studies students should consult with either the Program Director or the Study-Abroad Advisor about both opportunities and funding.

Travel to Israel has been discouraged by the US State Department for a numbeer of years.  Penn State, however, has developed a policy to provide waivers for faculty who would like to create Study Abroad Programs in Israel or for students who would like to participate in programs offered by academic institutions in Israel.    The Penn State Policy, R-7, establishes the procedures that need to be followed to acquire a waiver which can be found at the Penn State Education Abroad web site.  Please contact the Program Director for advice before making application for this exception.

Current Opportunity

Study-Abroad: Israel 2009 -- a multi-week experience of archaeological excavation and travel in Israel during July and August.

Upcoming Opportunities

Study-Abroad: Paris 2010 -- a ten day trip to Paris to examine the history of the Holocaust in France.  This opportunity is connected to a First-Year-Seminar (JSt 083) to be offered in Spring 2010

Study-Abroad: Italy 2010 -- a ten day exploration of Jewish culture and history in the environ of Rome.  This opportunity is connected to a First-Year-Seminar (JSt 083) to be offered in Spring 2010