What is the EPPIC Scholar Member program?
EPPIC’s Scholar Member Program offers academic English language support to international graduate students and J-1 exchange scholars at Penn State University Park. Our award-winning team of experienced language instructors support scholars to enhance their skill and confidence in advanced written and spoken communication skills in English, for increased success and connection during their graduate studies and J-1 program activities at Penn State, and for ongoing professional development.
Who should join the Scholar Member program?
International graduate students and J-1 scholars are invited to enroll in the Scholar Members program. EPPIC encourages all international graduate students and J-1 Scholars who use English as an additional language to enroll in the Scholar Member program to receive structured support for academic and professional communication in English, and to connect with fellow students and scholars from a range of academic disciplines.
Conditional Proficiency graduate students and J-1 scholars are required to enroll in the Scholar Member program. Incoming graduate students and J-1 scholars at University Park who receive a “conditional” English proficiency rating on their Penn State Language Proficiency assessment are required to register as Scholar Members within one month of arrival at Penn State, and to participate actively in EPPIC’s programs each semester in order to improve their English language proficiency.
To comply with U.S. Department of State requirements for J-1 Exchange Scholars, visiting scholars with conditional proficiency must participate in the EPPIC language program an average of 3 hours per week during fall and spring semesters throughout the duration of the first year of their J-1 program. Many EPPIC services are available remotely via Zoom to accommodate participation from scholars across State campus locations.
What do EPPIC Scholar Members receive?
A Membership Kit that includes:
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- Detailed information about EPPIC’s language support services for the current semester
- A hard-copy portfolio for storing materials from EPPIC workshops, speaking groups, consultations
- A special member notebook:
- for note-taking during EPPIC workshops, meetings, and consultations
- for storing learning materials designed specifically for Scholar Members
- for recording vocabulary, idioms, and strategies from immersive language learning experiences
Personalized Advising Sessions:
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- To identify high-priority goals and to create a personalized service plan
- To review and reflect on learning interests and experiences
Advanced English Language Services:
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- Workshops on academic writing & speaking, teaching in the U.S., job interview preparation, and more
- Weekly ‘Speak UP’ speaking group sessions
- Weekly ‘Write-A-Thon’ multilingual writing group sessions in the Penn State Libraries
- EPPIC Individual Consultations (EICs)
- 50 minute sessions with an EPPIC language specialist, either in-person in the Penn State Libraries or on-line via Zoom
- Consultations may include a focus on:
- Academic writing (essays, assignments, abstracts, journal articles, cover letters)
- Research presentations (slide design, delivery, responding to questions)
- Professional interaction/networking in departments, conferences, research group meetings, and in other academic and professional contexts.
- Pronunciation
Workshop Series Certificates:
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- Foundational Academic Skills in the United States
- Research Writing in English
- Effective Research Presentations
- American English Pronunciation
To learn more about certificate topics and options, schedule an appointment with an EPPIC Adviser.
The Scholar Member Program may also include local tours and site visits such as the following:
- behind-the-scenes tours of The Berkey Creamery (with ice cream tasting)
- local trail hikes
- guided tours of Penn State’s All Sports Museum (with an inside look at Beaver Stadium)
- guided tours of Penn State’s beautiful Arboretum gardens, including the H.O. Smith Botanical Garden & Childhood’s Gate Children’s Garden, and the nearby Palmer Museum.
Member fees:
- Fall semester (mid-August through December): $400
- Partial Fall semester (mid-October through December): $200
- Spring semester (January through early May): $400
- Partial Spring semester (mid-March through early May): $200