Pre-Departure Orientation Process

Each pre-departure orientation session will cover the following topics regarding pre-departure preparation and logistics:

General education abroad processes
Health, safety, and wellness
Long-term travel basics
Cultural and social adjustment
Reminders and next steps

After students are approved and committed to an educaton abroad program, they must select and attend one of the mandatory Pre-Departure Orientation sessions. The session options and deadlines will be available in the LionsABROAD portal.

Attendance at a session and completion of a follow-up knowledge check in the LionsABROAD portal are required. Failure to do so will result in withdrawal from the program.

Students unable to make it to any available session due to a significant conflict must notify Penn State of the reason by the deadline stated in their LionsABROAD portal. An alternative Pre-Departure Orientation option will be provided for those with significant conflicts.

Some education abroad programs may have additional orientation sessions specific to their programs depending on program type, location, and duration. Students should keep an eye out for emails from their education abroad adviser, host institution/university, or faculty leaders about additional sessions.

Most students will also receive an orientation upon arrival in their host country. Attendance at the on-site orientation is often mandatory.

Students may also be invited to participate in several orientation workshops the semester prior to study. Those students will be notified via their Penn State email of optional sessions and workshops.

Students participating in an embedded education abroad program will have a different pre-departure orientation process. You will receive more details prior to your program’s departure.