Germany, Switzerland & Austria
In GLB 255: Pioneers and Paradigms of Psychology in Europe, you'll enjoy experiencing in person the cultures and regions of Europe that gave birth to the science of the mind and practice of Western-based counseling and therapy.
Explore changing cities in Europe where psychology as a science and practice evolved. Experience firsthand how models of thought and care for others have shifted over time through visits to historic hospitals, asylums, famous homes, and museums in Vienna, Austria; Heidelberg & Wurzburg & Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany, and Zurich & Basel-Bern, Switzerland. Guided sightseeing and lecture tours of popular cultural landmarks, events, and buildings will strengthen the connections you learn between the countries visited and the development of psychological practices and topics of the mind explored.
How does this work?
Students will apply what they are studying regarding the history of psychology over the semester and will accentuate their learning through an immersive experience over spring break, traveling for ten days to Munich, Prague, and Vienna to the birthplace of some of the first psychological laboratories, hospitals, and homes of psychological practitioners. This immersion will allow students to connect more deeply with understanding historical, psychological, and cultural forces that have influenced helping practices and the science of the psyche today.
Costs include tuition, flight, hotel accommodations, and tours.
May 17-30, 2027
Successful completion of the course will satisfy the following electives: psychology minor, social science perspective, historical perspective, human service application (200 level), open elective, and cultural diversity perspective elective.
Total: $7,399 (approximate)
*estimated costs, final costs coming soon*
Total: $600 (approximate)
Grand Total: $7999
All billable expenses appear on a student’s semester bill as: Tuition/Fees (credit hours) and International Travel Fee (program and travel costs). Some costs and expenses are estimates. Payment overages will be refunded to students after all trip costs are reconciled on June 30.
Most financial aid you would receive on campus can be applied toward the cost of this program. All financial aid eligibility is determined by Financial Aid.
The Spring-Summer 2027 application deadline is October 2027. Apply by submitting your interest to Global Experiences at global@pct.edu.
Good standing - A status indicating that a student is not under any disciplinary sanctions, has no unsatisfied financial obligation to the College, and is not on academic probation or suspension.
All students register for their program during the normal advising period in the semester prior to the program start. Registration in the course constitutes commitment to the payment terms. Semester bills will include the associated billable expenses of tuition/fees and the International Travel Fee.
Students will be subject to the Termination, Drops, and Withdrawals Policy (P4.31) and the Refunds Policy (P5.23) for the tuition/fees and International Travel Fees associated with the course. Travel-related costs may be refunded to the student to the extent those costs have not already been contractually committed by the College to outside parties. Note that contractually committed costs increase closer to the travel date. In cases where program costs are divided evenly among all participants, the student’s portion of costs will be considered contractually committed and non-recoverable. If at any point prior to travel, a student is no longer in good standing, they may be removed from the course and prohibited from traveling. Those students may receive refunds minus all non-recoverable costs.
Faculty
Professor, Anthropology/Environmental Science
Faculty
Associate Professor, Psychology
“I am very much a ‘put it in perspective’ kind of learner,” said human services & restorative justice student Madison E. Beasley, of Jersey Shore. “Seeing everything we’ve been talking about was a very good way to gain an understanding.”
Walking Darwin’s “thinking path” and seeing the way the theorists set up their homes and offices shed light on their personalities.
“You really get the backstory on these theorists that you never would if you just read about them in books,” Koons Slamka said.
Cooley recalled a student’s observation that the U.S. has “some catching up to do” in mental health care: “Travel has influenced this student to make things better here in the U.S.,” Cooley said. “To me, that’s what it’s all about.”
For more information about this course, contact Rob Cooley and Susan Slamka, your Faculty Guides for this Global Experience.
For general questions about Global Experiences, such as study-away programs and student exchanges at Penn College, contact Daniel Clasby, Assistant Dean of Academic Operations.