Penn State’s fall 2025 Human Development and Family Studies (HDFS) embedded program includes the opportunity to study in Florence, one of the most artistic and culturally important cities in the world.
This program is open to all Penn State students, no matter which campus they attend. HDFS 499, Understanding the Italian Family: Historical and Cultural Contexts is a three-credit class which includes weekly Zoom class meetings and a 10-day trip to Florence, Italy, from November 20-30, 2025. Successful completion of the course includes both the coursework and the embedded travel. For more information on the course, see the course schedule (select Fall 2025, Mont Alto Campus, HDFS 499).
How do I enroll?
To participate in this embedded course, you must apply for inclusion. Once approved, a $500 deposit is required to register for the course. The deposit will only be refunded if the travel portion of the program is canceled by the university.
Students are responsible for arranging and paying for their air travel to Italy with the expectation of arrival in Florence by November 21 (leaving on November 20 with an overnight flight) and departure from Italy on November 30.
The program fee balance will need to be paid in full to Penn State Mont Alto by October 1, 2025. Complete instructions for deposit and balance will be supplied by the program coordinator, Robin Yaure. Official university travel approval will be determined in September 2025.
Once the program has received university approval in September, you become financially committed to Penn State. The deposit is non-refundable–even if you drop the class or cannot participate in the program–unless the travel portion of the program is canceled by the university.
Embedded Course Fee and Tuition
The estimated cost per student is $3120 with 10-14 participants; the price will be reduced with 15 or more participants.
The costs and services covered by the embedded program fee include:
- All overnight accommodations (which includes breakfast)
- Transportation in Florence related to academic programming
- Transportation from Florence to Rome
- Fees related to academic experiences and visits
- Two group dinners.
- Pre-departure information; 24/7 emergency support
The fee does not cover:
- Airfare to/from Italy
- Meals (unless otherwise indicated on the itinerary)
- Personal expenses
- Transportation to/from the domestic airport and return trip to airport in Rome
- Passport/visa costs
- International phone plan (required)
- Immunizations (if applicable)
- Course tuition
- Transportation to hotel in Florence on arrival day
Please be aware that enrollment in HDFS 499 for the fall 2025 semester may or may not add to a student’s cost of tuition depending on their part-time versus full-time status. If you are a full-time student enrolled in twelve to nineteen credits in the fall semester, this three-credit course will not add additional cost to your tuition as it will be part of your full-time semester tuition. If you have more than nineteen credits, the tuition surcharge will be added. View tuition costs. Tuition costs are not included in the embedded program fee.
Funding Opportunities
An embedded-specific grant is available at Embedded Programs Scholarship. The Student Engagement program provides another opportunity for funding. Students should explore funding opportunities through the Undergraduate Research and Fellowship Mentoring office. Check with your dean, chancellor, or your financial aid offices for additional opportunities. Each funding and scholarship opportunity has different deadlines, and competition may be significant.
Official Application
By submitting the application, you are requesting consideration for approval of this course and participation in the embedded travel experience to Florence, Italy. You understand and agree that, if accepted, you will be asked to pay a $500 deposit. You are also committing to paying the full program fee by the deadline when prompted to do so.
Please note that after you have paid, you become financially committed to Penn State. The fee is non-refundable, even if you drop the class or cannot participate in the program. Any grant award received will also be returned.
Please complete the application by 11:59 p.m., August 15, 2025 for priority acceptance. Questions can be directed to Robin Yaure Ph.D., program coordinator and professor of teaching, HDFS.