“International Field Experience in Education”
EDUC 497 (SU20)
Professor Jayne M. Leh, Special Education/Elementary and Early Childhood Education
May 11-30, 2020
$ 2,900 (approximate)
Prerequisites: EDUC 297
Eligibility: Acceptance by application process only, which includes application form, letter of recommendation, 2 references, essay, faculty approval, at least 2.8 GPA.
Program Website: https://berks.psu.edu/international-field-experience-3
Registration Instructions: Please refer to website for application and submission instructions
Course Description
The International Field Experience course encourages students primarily enrolled in the field of Education (e.g., Elementary, Secondary, Special Education) to consider the foundations, methods, and purpose of education in the U.S. by visiting German classrooms as a context for comparison. The intent of the field experience is to build a deeper understanding of the student’s philosophy of education by using the U.S. and German foundations as building blocks to frame their personal pedagogical beliefs for classroom practices. Students are asked to reflect on their personal pedagogical foundations, beliefs, and origins as they explore the cultural underpinnings as roots for each country’s educational practices. Such reflection is critical as future teachers develop their personal philosophies of teaching and the reasoning behind their perspectives. School visits include various grade levels (e.g., Kindergarten, elementary, secondary) across two geographic locations for students to gain a greater understanding of the German classroom culture and education system. Visiting multiple sites offers students an opportunity to compare and contrast differences in cultural practices, which stimulates perspective into the student’s personal beliefs regarding the purpose of education. The trip typically spans 18-21 days. One week is spent in central Germany and one week is dedicated to schools in southern Germany, in the Freiburg area. While in German classrooms, Penn State students are encouraged to interact with teachers, children, and administrators, and often times participate by coteaching or tutoring in the classrooms. While in the Freiburg area, students sit in on classes at the Freiburg University of Education in the afternoon after visiting schools in the morning. Penn State students interact with their university peers while in Freiburg and discuss educational practices, instructional methods, and classroom environments by comparing practices in each country. Students are required to journal and reflect on similarities and differences in instructional practices, culture, classroom climate and environment while traveling and write a paper upon return.
Included: Airfare and ground transportation (e.g., train, taxi, bus), hotels, entrance fees to cultural events.
Not Included: Meals, passport fees.
Itinerary
(Subject to change)
May 11 (Monday) Depart U.S.
May 12 (Tuesday): Arrive in Frankfurt, train travel to Munich (Munich: 3 nights).
May 13 (Wednesday): Munich: Day trip to Salzburg. Tour Hohensalzburg Castle, Hellbrunn Palace, Mozart Museum, Salzburg Residenz, St Peter’s Abbey.
May 14 (Thursday): Munich: (e.g., Dachau Concentration Camp, Residenzmuseum, Fraunhofer).
May 15 (Friday): Train travel Munich to Fussen (Fussen: 2 nights).
May 16 (Saturday): Fussen: Garmisch-Partenkirchen; Tour Hohenschwangau / Neuschwanstein castles.
May 17 (Sunday) Train travel Fussen to Melsungen (Melsungen: 7 nights). Dinner: Melsungen Rathaus.
May 18 (Monday) Melsungen: Elementary school visit: Christian-Bitter Schule, visit classrooms.
May 19 (Tuesday): Melsungen: Elementary school visit: Christian-Bitter Schule, visit classrooms.
May 20 (Wednesday): Melsungen: Elementary school visit: Christian-Bitter Schule, visit classrooms.
May 21 (Thursday): Melsungen: (Himmelfahrt Holiday) Day trip to Rothenburg ob der Tauber.
May 22: (Friday): Melsungen: Day trip to Weimar, tour Buchenwald Concentration Camp.
May 23 (Saturday): Melsungen: Day trip to Eisenach, tour Wartburg Castle.
May 24 (Sunday): Travel to Freiburg (6 nights in Freiburg)
May 25 (Monday): Elementary school visit in morning (Freiburg University afternoon and evening).
May 26 (Tuesday): Elementary school visit in morning (Freiburg University afternoon and evening).
May 27 (Wednesday): Elementary school visit in morning (Freiburg University afternoon and evening).
May 28 (Thursday): Elementary school visit in morning (Freiburg University afternoon and evening).
May 29 (Friday) Elementary school visit in morning (Freiburg University afternoon and evening).
May 30 (Saturday): Return to U.S. from Frankfurt Airport.
Program Leaders
Professor Jayne M. Leh, Special Education
Cost & Payment
Payment for the program happens in installments according to the deadlines set below. Withdrawal from the program before departure does not guarantee a refund. Please refer to the payment instructions and withdrawal policy for more information.
|
Payment |
Amount |
Due Date |
|
Non-refundable fee |
$200 |
December 15, 2019 |
|
Payment 1 |
$1,000 |
January 15, 2020 |
|
Payment 2 |
$1,000 |
March 15, 2020 |
|
Final Payment |
$800 |
April 1, 2020 |
|
Total: |
$3,000 |
|
Questions?
We’d love to help!
For questions about this program, please contact Jayne M. Leh, ([email protected])
For general questions about education abroad, please contact Matt Lockaby.