Plus3 Education

 

Plus3 is your first chance to study abroad at Pitt. This two-week, three-credit interdisciplinary experience is a partnership between the School of Nursing and Education. Your travels to Birmingham, United Kingdom will give you a firsthand glimpse of comparative education and healthcare through guest lectures, visits to schools and hospitals, Q&A sessions, and academic sessions that provide cultural and political perspective.

 

United Kingdom: Comparative Education and Healthcare

The academic focus of this program is an introduction to public health nursing and early childhood education contextualized by intersectionality. Built upon a comparative, multidisciplinary framework, this course addresses education, health services, and social services for children, young people, families within the context of race, gender, ethnicity, and sexuality while providing students with a broad perspective on the distinctive healthcare and education systems operating in the United Kingdom and the United States.

  • Site visits may include: Both public and private hospitals and schools, Birmingham City University, NGOs 
  • Cultural activites may include: Hop-on hop-off tour in London, Day trip to Stratford-upon-Avon, Pub Quiz, Karaoke Nights, Day trip to Oxford University 
  • Locations will include Birmingham City with day trips with other locations, including London 

 

Student Blogs

Want to learn more? Check out the Pitt Plus3 Education blog for past participant experiences.

Birmingham, located in the heart of England, is the second-largest city in the UK. Packed with history, arts and culture, this vibrant city was a global manufacturing powerhouse, the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution, and was known in the Victorian era as the ‘Workshop of the World’.

Where You'll Live: 

Students will be housed in shared hotel rooms within Birmingham. This area is close to major attractions of the city and near many shops, banks, restaurants, and more. Each room will be equipped with TV, air conditioning, internet connection (wireless included), and cleaning services.

 

What You'll Study: 

You will receive three academic-credits for Plus3. For Pre-Education students, you should check with your department advisors for confirmation on what Plus3 could fulfill towards your degree.

Plus3 Academics
Plus3 is a 3-part program that occurs during the spring term with international travel the first two-weeks in May.

  • Pre-Departure Orientations and Workshops – Three-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 lectures, and a reflection blog comprise the academic portion of your two weeks in-country.
  • Post-Program Project – You will complete a project (details determined by the faculty member) that acts as a summary for your experience. 
Education & Healthcare: Intersections in Birmingham (IL1711)

For this program, we partner with Birmingham City University (BCU). You will be supported in-country by your Pitt faculty, Pitt program assistant and the staff/faculty at BCU. 

Your Pitt Study Abroad Contacts: 

Lynnea Lombardi

Hi! I’m Lynnea, a proud two-time Pitt alumna and an international education enthusiast. When I was a student at Pitt, I studied abroad in South Korea and also visited China as a student leader. I previously lived in South Korea, where I taught English in a beautiful coastal town. I’m always excited to support Nursing students in their journey to study abroad. Please email me or make an appointment so I can get to know you and your goals.

 

E-mail: 
LEL164@pitt.edu

Schedule an appointment

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  • Log in to Pathways or use the Navigate app.
  • Select Appointments > Schedule an Appointment
  • Select Pitt Global as the Care Unit.
  • Select Study Abroad Virtual Advising as the Location
  • Select Study Abroad Program Specific Questions as the service
  • Select my name and find a time that works for you!

Having trouble or don't see a time that works for you? Just email me!

Your In-Country Contacts: 

Melissa J. Marks, EdD

Melissa J. Marks, EdD, is the Director of the Education Program at Pitt Greensburg and an advisor for the SPSEA chapter on campus. Although she will not be on site for the upcoming semester, Dr. Marks has traveled to this location and is very enthusiastic!  She teaches a wide variety of courses, including strategies, diversity, social studies methods, and general teacher education courses. Dr. Marks co-authored a book with Dr. Diane Marsh entitled How to Talk to Families About Child and Adolescent Mental Illness. Dr. Marks co-created the "Early College Experience" program for college-bound high school students with disabilities. She was awarded the 2009 PGAA Outstanding Faculty Award, the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg President's Medal in 2010, the Pennsylvania Teacher Educator of the Year Award from PAC-Te in 2014 and the Pitt-Greensburg Distinguished Professor Award. Areas of research include teacher supervision, multicultural education and diversity, and social studies education.

Items Billed by Pitt
Program Fee & Tuition $5,400 $5,600
Study Abroad Fee $300 $300
Total Billed by Pitt $5,700 $5,900

Estimated Additional Out-of-Pocket Costs
Additional Spending Money ~$400-$600

 

What's Included: 
  • Lodging for orientation in Pittsburgh and time abroad
  • Tuition for three credits
  • Round-trip international airfare
  • In-country transportation
  • Excursions
  • Most meals
  • Visa (where applicable)
  • International Health Insurance

While your program fee will cover most of your expenses, keep in mind that you are also responsible for the following:

  • Study Abroad Fee ($300)
  • Additional spending money**

**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.
 

Scholarships 

For scholarship opportunities, be sure to check out the scholarship page.

 

When You'll Go: 

Typically, this program runs during the second and third week of May.

What Else You Need to Know: 

 
Admission Requirements: 

  • First year, first semester students from the Greensburg and Oakland campuses in either the School of Nursing or Pre-Education programs *School of Education includes Oakland undergraduate students who are anticipating entry into the School of Education 
  • 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 prior to the 6 month mark post program.  Need to apply? We suggest you apply during Thanksgiving break or apply in Pittsburgh by reviewing the instructions here.
  • Must have a clean judicial record
  • Minimum of a 2.75 GPA at the end of the first semester

 
Passports
If you don't have a passport or need to renew yours, get started right away. Applications will not be accepted without a passport that is valid at least six months past the program end date.

  • You can apply at the Allegheny County of Dept. of Court Records
    City County Building
    414 Grant Street
    Monday-Friday from 8:30 am to 4pm, Wednesdays until 7pm. 
    Application: www.us-passport-service-guide.com
  • ​​​Check out our helpful Passport Guide for more information.

You're seeing student-submitted photos from United Kingdom. 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!