Students interested in the study abroad program in Dubrovnik, Croatia, must meet the following requirements at the time of participating in the program:

• Be enrolled at the Penn State University Park campus
• Have a minimum 3.0 cumulative grade point average
• At the time of travel, be one of the following:
  • A student intending to major in IST: Design and Development with either sophomore or junior standing
  • A student in any major or college with at least sophomore standing for non-IST related programs

This program is available to any Penn State student regardless of major or college who meets the listed eligibility requirements.

Academic courses are similar to the programming and design courses offered in the Design and Development option in the Information Sciences and Technology major. With careful planning, courses at the RIT campus in Croatia can count toward some degree requirements — most often as Support of Option courses for the major. The program also includes general education courses for non-IST students to meet Penn State general education requirements.

Participating students will earn between 12-17 credits. Each course is either three or four credits, so students can expect to take four to five classes while abroad. Depending on their level of academic standing, some courses may require the completion of prerequisite courses for enrollment. Students should consult with their academic adviser to confirm eligibility and determine an appropriate schedule.

All classes are taught in English by American and international faculty. Available courses focus on the skills necessary for success in today’s global work environment, such as critical thinking, decision-making, communication, and leadership. The teaching methods promote interaction and active participation among students and faculty.

Dubrovnik, also known as “the pearl of the Adriatic,” combines the natural beauty of the pristine Adriatic Sea and mountainous Croatian landscape with medieval architecture and old-world city planning.

Its marble streets are lined with baroque buildings and Renaissance fountains, which neighbor pebble beaches and feature vibrant nightlife. Named a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1979, Dubrovnik is the current filming location for the popular TV show, Game of Thrones.

Out of the classroom, students can continue learning by visiting the ancient Roman salt flats that are still in production today, attend numerous cultural festivals, or simply sit at one of the many sidewalk cafes to embrace the surrounding culture.