Plus3: SSOE Transfer Plus

 

Note--This program is still in development. Items will be updated by mid September.
 
 
This program is open to all Pitt SSOE sophomores, juniors, and  seniors. Priority acceptance is given to students who have transferred into SSOE.  (If you transferred into SSOE during your college career after your first year, you are eligible for this program. )
 
Engineering at the Crossroads of Europe will look at how the field of engineering and a variety of industries have shaped, and been shaped by, political and cultural developments throughout the Czech Republic's history. What industries have been constant over the years, and what is new and innovative? 
Students will also have an opportunity to learn about the many connections between the Czech Republic and Pittsburgh. 
 
May 2023 is the inaugural year for this program!   
 
Student Blogs + More Information
Want to learn more?  Check out the Pitt Plus3 Blogs for past participant experiences.
 
INFO SESSION:
Wednesday, November 9
4-5pm
102 Benedum
Where You'll Live: 

Students will stay in housing with 2-3 roommates.

What You'll Study: 
Students will receive three academic-credits for this program. 
 
Plus 3 Transfer Plus Academics:
 
Plus3 Transfer Plus is a summer semester course with 3 parts: 
 
Pre-Departure Orientations and Workshops – Three to five cohort meetings with your faculty leader and program assistant in the spring term will help to prepare you for your time abroad.
Field Study – Company visits, guest lectures, cultural visits comprise the academic portion of your time in-country.
 
View the course syllabus here.

 

Engineering students can view how these courses will fulfill degree requirements here:

Your Pitt Study Abroad Contacts: 

Jodi Suckle

Bonjour, Shalom, Sawadee-ka! I'm Jodi, a Global Programs Manager in the Swanson School of Engineering. My study abroad experiences to France and Turkey fueled my passion for travel and international education. I have helped students travel to, and participate in programs on 6 continents, and love enabling students to experience and learn about the world. I grew up in New York and have lived in Israel, Thailand, and Guatemala. Every time I go somewhere new my favorite thing is learning about the history, cultures, and traditions of the place, and trying new food of course. Come talk to me about engineering Panther Programs and Plus3, or if you're an international exchange student new to Swanson and Pitt. 

E-mail: 
j.suckle@pitt.edu

Schedule an appointment

SSOE students: schedule an appointment with me using Pathways via this link!
non-SSOE students-- send me an email and we'll set up a time to meet!

Your In-Country Contacts: 

Dr. Mary Besterfield-Sacre

Dr. Mary Besterfield-Sacre is the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Professor in Industrial Engineering. She serves as the founding Director for the Engineering Education Research Center (EERC). Dr. Sacre has over 30 years of experience in industry and academia with a research focus on Engineering Education, and she has had numerous grants and publications in the area including on how different international experiences impact engineering students' global competency. She even developed one of the first engineering international technical elective courses for the Swanson School. Dr. Sacre has traveled to China, Australia, England, Scotland, Germany, France, Belgium, Switzerland, Netherlands, Italy, Austria, and Brazil. She lived in Taiwan as a college student and backpacked through Europe. 

Christopher Kirchhof

Chris Kirchhof is the Director for Undergraduate Recruitment & Transfer Student Services in the Swanson School f Engineering at Pitt. Among his duties at Pitt Chris teaches the Engineering Transfer Seminar course for new transfer students and serves as a liaison to students and staff at the Sichuan University - Pittsburgh Institute in Chengdu, China. 2023 will be Chris's fourth Plus3 experience as a Program Assistant, previously traveling with students to Chile, China, and Cyprus. 

 

Items Billed by Pitt
  In-state Out-of-state
Program Cost $5400 $5600
Study Abroad Fee $300 $300
Total Billed by Pitt $5700 $5900

Estimated Additional Out-of-Pocket Costs
Additional Spending Money ~$300-$500
Visa costs if applicable- If you are not a U.S. Citizen there might be costs associated with applying for a visa
 ~TBD

 

For global scholarship opportunities, check out:

  • the Pitt GEO scholarship page for links to national, provider and private scholarship samples
  • PittFund$Me  for Pitt sponsored funding including Pitt wide global scholarships, Nationality Rooms, VIH, etc.
  • PittFund$Me  for the SSOE Global Experience Scholarships!

 

What's Included: 
  • Lodging for orientation in Pittsburgh and time abroad
  • Tuition for three credits 
  • Round-trip international airfare*
  • In-country transportation
  • Excursions
  • Many meals
  • International Health Insurance

*Round trip airfare consists of departure from Pittsburgh and return to Pittsburgh or to a hub. (A list will be provided to students after acceptance.)

**Note that Pitt Global Experience Office courses/programs such as this one, operate outside of normal tuition and fee schedules and cannot be combined nor included in full-term tuition pricing. 

***Remember that your lifestyle and spending choices can greatly affect the amount of money you'll need while abroad. Visit our budgeting page for more information.

When You'll Go: 

Dates for Plus3 2023 are May 5 - 19, 2023.  Students will be required to report to the University of Pittsburgh on May 5th (details to be provided in the Spring Semester).  

What Else You Need to Know: 

Application Requirements

  • Transfer students or upper class students enrolled full-time in SSOE
  • Students must complete 24 credits earned at Pitt before the program start date 
  • Students must have a clean judicial record
  • Minimum of a 2.75 GPA at the end of the first semester

Passports

Students must have applied for a passport or already hold a valid passport by the application deadline. A valid passport means that it will not expire within 6 months after the program ends (by November 20). If a student has a new or renewal passport processing, they must upload documentation that they've expedited that process and are waiting for a new passport to arrive.
 
Need to apply? We suggest you apply NOW as passport wait times are longer than normal at present.
 
Students can apply at the Allegheny County of Dept. of Court Records or at your local post office (check your post office's website for more details).
414 Grant Street
Monday-Friday from 8:30 am to 4pm, Wednesdays until 7pm. 
​​​​​​Check out our helpful Passport Guide for more information.
 

Disciplinary Record

  • One or more disciplinary violations on a student's record will trigger an additional review.  
  • Students with any drugs and alcohol-related violations will not be eligible to participate in Plus3. 
  • Students under active disciplinary sanction at the time of application and/or during the program are not eligible to study abroad.  

Agreement Meeting

  • Accepted students must attend a mandatory agreement meeting. The dates for this meeting will be announced in the Fall semester.  Details will be sent with acceptance letters.

 

You're seeing student-submitted photos from Prague. There may be photos that do not necessarily represent this program or it's inclusions, but we hope you enjoy seeing what Panthers around the world are doing!