Penn State Berks International Data

Penn State Berks Campus Visit:

International Profile As of November 1, 2021

International Student Enrollment at Penn State Berks (AY 2016/17-2021/22)

International Student Enrollment at Penn State Berks: Fall 2016 to Fall 2021 (source: iTwo)

Term

# International Students

Fall 2017

108

Fall 2018

109

Fall 2019

92

Fall 2020

67

Fall 2021

43

Study Abroad at Penn State Berks (AY 2016/17-2021/22) Penn State Berks Student Participation by Term Academic Year

Fall/AY

Fall Embedded

Spr

Spr Embedded

Sum

Sum Embedded

Total

2015-16

1

0

7

11

1

0

20

2016-17

2

0

6

33

1

1

43

2017-18

1

0

3

19

1

10

34

2018-19

1

0

2

21

3

0

27

2019-20

2

0

4

--

--

--

6

2020-21

--

--

--

--

--

--

0

Grand Totals

7

0

22

84

6

11

130

Faculty-Led Programming Faculty-Led Programs often have participants from other campuses. This program information includes all student information, not just specific to Berks. The data available in the participation chart above only includes Berks-based students.

Faculty-Led Embedded Programs Since 2015 Berks has operated 8 faculty-led embedded programs Total program leaders = 18 Total program participants = 91 All programs for Spring 2020 and Summer 2020 were canceled due to COVID-19 Faculty-Led Freestanding Programs Palermo, Italy: Organized Crime in Film & Society (new program running for the first time in 2021)

International Agreements at Penn State Berks Overview of Penn State Berks International Agreements Penn State Berks has two (2) active agreements. In response to the 2021 Annual Report, Berks provided the following feedback.

1. Freiburg University of Education in Germany. MOA signed on February 6, 2020, and due to expire on February 6, 2025.

“Comments Due to COVID restrictions: In 2020, travel to Germany was impossible and the trip with 9 students enrolled was cancelled. The trip to Freiburg in 2021 was also not possible due to COVID; no registrations were taken in 2021. Berks did receive one German student in fall, 2021 despite the concerns surrounding a looming COVID variant.

Meets Expectations: A 2021 Summer I virtual program was created in April, 2021 to generate tuition. Because of last minute nature of creating the course, only 3 Berks students enrolled. We were extremely pleased with Freiburg’s response. Freiburg quickly arranged for 1) our students to participate in a question / answer time with PH German undergraduates, 2) attend an in-person class on Literature for students who are non-native speakers, 3) a presentation on the differences between the American school system, 4) elementary school teachers to video recorded 3 classes of children who individually communicated with our students as a way to practice their English. Our students: 1) responded with a video that answered their questions, 2) evaluated classroom features, 3) child interactions and content, 4) curriculum foci, and 5) differences in curriculum offerings and how that relates to culture and history. In a debriefing during the last Summer class, student feedback was positive and all students noted the value of all the activities, and said they were glad they took the course and would take it again, although they all hope to travel in 2022 to Freiburg with a group from Berks.

One student from Freiburg arrived at the Berks campus in fall 2021. Courses were selected through a collaborative effort with GP and the EECE Program Chair with some challenges regarding what courses the student needed to meet requirements. This required specific attention from the PC as advisor on the Berks campus. The student acclimated extremely well emotionally, and reported to have found everything about the experience inviting and extremely satisfying.

Recommendations: If Berks students are able to resume travel to Freiburg according to the MOA agreement, it is recommended that the MOA should be renewed.

If Berks students are unable to resume travel to Freiburg due to COVID restrictions beyond just the spring 2022 semester, the recommendation is that the exchange be terminated because virtual exchange alone is not ideal to replace the in-person travel experience for Berks students.”

2. Freiburg University of Education in Germany. MOU signed on July 26, 2018, and due to expire on July 26, 2023.

“The relationship with Freiburg remains cordial and administration and faculty remain open to suggestions to make the relationship work virtually despite a global pandemic. For this, we are greatly appreciative.”

Additional Information for Penn State Berks Along with Hazleton, Lehigh Valley, Schuylkill, Scranton, and Wilkes-Barre, the Penn State Berks campus is part of what is considered the Northeast region of the Commonwealth.

Fast Facts Dr. George Grant Jr. is the fifth Chancellor of Penn State Berks. He assumed the role on January 4, 2021, succeeding Dr. Keith Hillkirk, who retired after 15 years in December of 2020.

How many students are enrolled?

There are roughly 2,300 students enrolled at Penn State Berks.

Majors Penn State Berks offers 21 baccalaureate degrees and 4 associate degrees, along with the option of starting one of Penn State's 275 majors which can be completed at University Park. In addition, all degree programs at Berks include an internship component.

Where is it located?

Penn State’s Berks campus is located on 258 acres next to Gring's Mill Recreation Area, near Reading, PA. It is within a short drive to Philadelphia.

Does it have residence halls?

Penn State Berks offers on-campus housing for 800 students in two residence areas.

Penn State Global Contact Information @ Penn State Berks

Penn State Global Contact Information