Question. How different is it to create and implement events and experiences in international locations?
There's one way to find out: participate in, volunteer at, and/or work an international event during Maymester.
Creating Events & Experiences Worldwide.
The aim of the Creating Experiences Worldwide is to explore and examine the social phenomenon (e.g. culture, socio-economic, linguistic, geographical) and management practices (managing people and resources) for events and experiences through a multinational and interdisciplinary lens.
Students from a variety of courses will simultaneously participate in the CEW experience focused on the learning goals and objectives specific to their course or interests. This brings an interesting dynamic and intersectionality to the class experience and discussions.
The CEW program locations will rotate in the future. In 2024 CEW program was in Paris, France leading up to the 2024 Olympics. This year, The Netherlands (Amsterdam and Breda).
Application and Registration
To participate on the CEW: Netherlands Maymester course, students be registered for one of three following courses: RPTM 310, RPTM 415 or RPTM 395A. In addition, students must apply for the program.
Application Process & Application Fee (i.e. Deposit)
The application and fee must be completed and submitted by February 10, 2025 (11:59PM).
The application fee must be turned in to Lissa Neese (lrn3@psu.edu) in the 804 Ford Building in the RPTM Main Office. Lissa is in person Mondays through Wednesdays from 9AM to 5PM (out for lunch from 12pm to 1 PM).
Forms of payment include:
- Money order written to RPTM Penn State University, with a note CEW25 App Fee
- Check written to RPTM Penn State University, with a note CEW25 App Fee
- Neither cash nor credit card will be accepted
Note that checks and money orders will not be deposited immediately. They will be held until after the student has been accepted to the program. If the student has not been accepted to the program the check or money order will be returned to the student.
Spring Course Registration
To participate on the program students must be enrolled in one of the following.
- RPTM 310 - Events Management and Experience Design
- RPTM 415 - Management in Commercial Recreation and Tourism
- or RPTM 395A Meeting and Events Management Internship
If you are not already in one of these courses, please reach out to Dr. Kristin Thomas ASAP.
Notable Dates & Deadlines
Please note the dates and deadlines below.
- February 10: Application Deadline. $250 due at submission (full refund if student not accepted to the program. The $250 is Non-refundable if student is accepted to the program). An application can be started before February 10, but to be considered, $250 must be received by February 10th.
- February 17: Students receive an acceptance or non-acceptance email from the Faculty Program Coordinator
- February 15: (90 days out from travel. 90 days prior to departure students will be billed 25% of the program fee plus the EA administration fee)
- February 24: Student confirms acceptance to the program with the Faculty Program Coordinator. Additional $250 is due along with confirmation.
- March 1: Final list of participants on the program due to the Education Abroad Office. If the program is under-enrolled it will not run; committed students will be refunded 50% of the total deposit (The total deposit was $500 (Application ($250) + Confirmation ($250), thus, the refund (if the program does not run) would be $250.
- March 15: 60 days out from travel. 89-30 days prior to departure students will be billed 50% of the EA Program Fee plus the EA Administration Fee if the student cancels or withdrawals from the class/program.
- April 15: 30 days out from departure. Students will be billed 100% of the program fee plus the EA administration fee.
As with any type of travel there is some financial risk due to voluntary or involuntary cancellations or withdraws. If a student withdraws from an EA Program after the due date for students' commitment forms and deposits it may not be possible to obtain a refund. Penn State (Global Programs or RPTM) cancels or suspends the program for unforeseeable circumstances, the department and university will make reasonable efforts to make alternative enrollment arrangements for the students, although, it may not take place during the current term.
Program Description, Program Costs, and Info about Scholarships below
How Much Will It Cost?
Cost that can be applied to students' bursar accounts are:
- Maymester Tuition: $200 flat tuition fee
- Program Fee: $1950 (based on the exchange rate in December 2024)
Please note that the cost of the program is based on 12-13 students.
Out-of-pocket costs include:
- Transportation from State College (or departing city) to Airport
- Flight from U.S. to Netherlands (estimates are around $1500)
- Personal spending
Inclusive Program Fee
The program fee is $1950. There is a deposit in the form of the $250 application fee and a $250 program confirmation fee (i.e. total deposit $500).
Inclusive fee covers the following. Note items included subject to change.
- Hotel or Hostel: 9 nights (likely breakfast included)
- Transportation from Amsterdam airport to hotel in Amsterdam
- Transportation from Amsterdam to Hotel in Breda.
- All program-related transportation
- All educational programming (speakers, teachers, classrooms
- Two educational or leisure excursions
- Welcome Dinner
- Dedicated Local Educational/Program Coordinator for the week
Airfare
Current prices for airline tickets to Amsterdam are approximately $1500 round trip (tax and fees not included).
RPTM Financial Coordinator will work with Penn State's partner Anthony Travel to find group rates that could be cheaper. Airline tickets or personal travel to an airport are out-of-pocket expenses.
Personal Expenses
Students should budget expected costs for personal purchases (shopping, souvenirs), and meals that are not included in the program fee.
Extra notes about fees:
- Contracts are still being negotiated, cost will be finalized by mid-February 2025
- The program fee is $1950
- The program fee could change depending on the number of students who participate on the program.
- Deposits must be paid by check or money order made out to "The Pennsylvania State University" and given to the RPTM Financial Coordinator.
- Program fees may be billed to the bursar account.
Financial support information below.
check out these funding resources.
- Also, begin looking now at financial resources and funding. Check out The Easy Guide to Study Abroad Scholarships
- Don't forget about the Penn State Student Engagement Network (SEN) Grant Program. Ignite Your Curiosity!
Education Abroad Embedded Programs Scholarship
"Students participating in embedded programs are eligible for the Education Abroad Embedded Programs Scholarship. Starting fall 2023, no additional application is required to be completed by students to be eligible for the award. However, in order for students to be considered, the proposer/program leader MUST submit the final student roster by the appropriate deadline.
Please note: Due to an increasing number of participants in embedded programs, this scholarship is considered highly competitive. Therefore, the likelihood of students obtaining this scholarship has dramatically decreased and students should not have the expectation that they will receive this award. Students need to make realistic financial arrangements with their current economic situation in mind and to research other funding opportunities (i.e. college or departmental awards, external funding, etc)"(Education Abroad Website, 2023)
What Will We Do
The exact program plan is still under development. Information below is subject to change. Faculty and Program Coordinators balancing educational quality and cost.
- The program is 10 days and 9 nights
- Amsterdam May 23-May 26
- Breda May 27-June 1
The program may include:
- Informal lectures and guest speakers covering the events industry, programming, culture and designing experience
- Firsthand experience with Planners of the Breda Jazz Festival
- Vounteer/"work" at the Breda Jazz Festival
- Visit to Breda University of Applied Sciences and experiences with local students from the Leisure and Events Management Program
- Self Guided Exploration
More to come!
Credits: Creating World Wide Events
- Kristin Thomas, Ph.D., Associate Teaching Professor, Recreation, Park and Tourism Management, RPTM Faculty Coordinator for the Meeting and Events Management Certificate
- EduTravel, Ruben Boers and Koos Narold Founders and Operators