THIS MONTH'S HEADLINES:
- GRADUATING SENIORS
- STUDY ABROAD IN TORONTO NEXT SUMMER - APPLICATIONS DUE IN JANUARY
- FIRST TEN COMPLETED BEHREND APPLICATIONS FOR TORONTO GET $500 GRANTS
- FACEBOOK PAGE
- HOLIDAY WISHES
1. GRADUATING SENIORS
If he completes all course requirements, Political Science major Mason Milliard (pictured) is scheduled to graduate this month. Mason is a Schreyer Scholar who wrote his honors thesis on "The Future Legal Status of the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act.” He will be attending Widener University Law School with a scholarship next year.
Cole Troutner
In addition, History major Cole Troutner is scheduled to graduate this month with a Politics and Government minor.
We extend best wishes to all graduating seniors and with their plans for the future!
2. STUDY ABROAD IN TORONTO NEXT SUMMER - APPLICATIONS DUE IN JANUARY
Toronto Skyline
Applications for the North American Politics course and program in Toronto next May and June are now open on the Penn State Global Programs website.
The deadline to apply is January 24, 2024. Interested students should open applications now because they require a faculty recommendation (a recommendation letter is not required; just completion of a brief form).
The course, taught by Dr. Robert Speel, takes place on the Toronto Metropolitan University campus in downtown Toronto between May 12–June 8, 2024, and combines Penn State and Canadian students in one classroom for discussions about the comparative politics of the United States and Canada and on international relations between the two countries.
Among the topics to be discussed will be a comparison of the development of separate political cultures, comparisons of government institutions, election systems, relations between national governments and states and provinces, and comparisons of each country's policy approaches toward the economy, health care, gun control, language, free speech, legal marijuana, abortion, medically assisted suicide, and the role of religion in education. Issues important in international relations between the two countries will also be discussed—this includes trade, border security, prevention of terrorism, and control of the Arctic. Class excursions will visit the Ontario Parliament Buildings and Fort York, the site of an important battle in the War of 1812.
A lot of financial aid is available from Penn State Global Programs for students in the course. All students, including those who are not Pennsylvania residents, pay in-state Pennsylvania summer tuition for the course.
Behrend alumna Barbara Welton has given generous donations to cover the expenses of many cultural and historical excursions while in Toronto.
Students stay for a month in single private rooms with private bathrooms on the Toronto Metropolitan University campus in downtown Toronto.
General information and photos from past years can be found here.
Questions can be directed to Dr. Speel at [email protected].
3. FIRST TEN COMPLETED BEHREND APPLICATIONS FOR TORONTO GET $500 GRANTS
Toronto Trip Group Picture
The Summer Study Abroad Program in Toronto is among the most affordable Summer Study Abroad programs offered to Penn State students, possibly the most affordable of all programs due to low travel costs to get to Toronto and to grant money that will cover a majority of the program fee for ten Behrend students. The program fee pays the full cost for one month’s residence in downtown Toronto on the Toronto Metropolitan University campus.
Tuition costs are 3 credits of in-state Penn State Summer tuition. Penn State offers a lot of financial assistance for eligible students to cover tuition costs. Applications for that assistance are on the same site as applications for the course. Students who are not residents of Pennsylvania pay in-state Pennsylvania tuition for Penn State Summer study abroad courses.
The program fee to pay for a one-month stay in downtown Toronto is $900. However, the first ten Behrend students with completed applications will get $500 grants and will only pay $400 due to funding from the Penn State Behrend Humanities and Social Sciences Endowment Fund. That $400 will pay for a private room with private bathroom in downtown Toronto for a month while the course takes place. The $500 grants will appear as credits on tuition bills for students who are in the course.
The remaining costs of the program are mainly for personal food and travel expenses and will not get billed by Penn State. Travel to Toronto in a variety of ways is not expensive. Students can keep food costs down through use of a kitchen on each floor of the residence, through a supermarket across the street and grocery store down the block, and due to a very large number of food courts, food halls, and takeout restaurants in the downtown Toronto area.
Details about costs can also be found on the application website.
4. FACEBOOK PAGE
All students and alumni are invited to like the Penn State Behrend Political Science Facebook page, get updated news, and find out about events.
5. HOLIDAY WISHES
Best wishes to everyone on final exams and during the entire holiday season!