London - Finance Study Tour 2025

March 7-15, 2025
Cost: $2,775
Penn State Harrisburg – Trip ID 218562
FIN 456 or FIN 599 London
     Prerequisite: FIN 301 (for undergraduate students)

The objective of this course is to provide finance students with exposure to the international capital markets, particularly in the U.K. Modern financial markets are complex and global, and due to their rapid integration, it is essential for finance students to have exposure to them. While in London, students will become familiar with the U.K. banking system and financial and derivatives markets.

Course Registration for MBA students

  1. Students that have been invited are eligible to apply.
  2. Contact: WorldStrides | ISA Custom Programs to register and pay the deposit or total cost for the trip and obtain a receipt from the agency. 
  3. E-mail the receipt and invitation letter to Heather Daub ([email protected]) in the School of Business, she will submit the add form to complete enrollment in FIN 599 for London Study Tour MBA elective course for Spring 2025.  

Course Registration - for undergraduate students

  1. Meet with your academic adviser to discuss how this course will impact your educational progress. Have your adviser sign a drop/add form to add this class. Forms are available online at registrar.psu.edu
  2. Contact: WorldStrides | ISA Custom Programs to register and pay the deposit or total cost for the trip and obtain a receipt from the agency. 
  3. Take your signed drop/add form and your travel agency receipt to Stephanie Ponnett in C114R Olmsted to complete enrollment in the course.

Course Requirements

  • Mandatory pre/post-trip meetings, group readings, journals, etc., during spring 2025 semester. 
  • Undergraduate students must have at least fifth semester standing or be an MBA student by the spring 2025 semester or have permission of the program. 
  • Students must be free of any conduct reviews or conduct sanctions. Eligibility will be verified, and each participant grants permission for verification by the Office of Student Conduct. Any violation of the PSU Student Code of Conduct while traveling will result in a class failure. 

Travel Awards

Award funds are available to undergraduate honors students through the Penn State Harrisburg Honors programs. The University also has funds for students traveling internationally. For details, visit Study Abroad Scholarship. A limited number of travel awards are available through the Penn State Harrisburg Office of International Programs for Penn State Harrisburg undergraduate students. The application deadline October 25, 2024. In addition, MBA students who qualify for MBA travel awards will be notified by the MBA office.   

Registration

Registration through WorldStrides | ISA Custom Programs is due by November 26, 2024. After November 27, 2024, space may not be available, and supplements and/or penalties may apply.

Academic Contacts

Stephanie Ponnett
Administrative Assistant, International Programs
717-948-6062
[email protected]. 

Dr. Indrit Hoxha
Professor of Economics
717-948-6344
[email protected] 

Dr. Patrick Cusatis
Associate Professor of Finance
17-948-6162
[email protected] 

Heather Daub
Academic Program Coordinator
717-948-6140
[email protected] 

London Itinerary

Itinerary and visits subject to change without notice.

  • Day 1 • Friday, March 7
    Arrange your own transportation and airfare from the airport of your choice. Plan to arrive in London by noon.
  • Day 2 • Saturday, March 8 – Arrival London
    Upon arrival, you will be met by private coach and assistant for transfer to the St. Giles hotel. Check into the hotel for seven nights. Half-day guided sightseeing tour with a visit to St. Paul’s Cathedral, then travel by tube to Westminster and view the Houses of Parliament, Downing Street, Westminster Abbey (from the outside), and the government ministries. You will be provided with a seven-day tube pass for travel around the city. Return to your hotel. Dinner on your own.
  • Day 3 • Sunday, March 9
    Breakfast at the hotel. Free day to explore the city. Lunch and dinner on your own.
  • Day 4 • Monday, March 10
    Breakfast at the hotel. Corporate visit to Lloyd’s of London. Lunch on your own. Meet your guide at Monument Station for an afternoon walking tour of the financial district. Your guide will take you around the area known as “The City” which is a city within the city of London. Here you will see such sites as the London Stock Exchange, Guildhall, the Bank of England, Rothschild’s and many more. Dinner and evening on your own.
  • Day 5 • Tuesday, March 11
    After breakfast at the hotel, travel to Oxford University. Begin with a two-hour tour guided tour of Oxford. Lunch on your own. Enjoy a lecture by Dr. Martin Holmes, a well-known Oxford academic  specializing in political economies. Return to London. Dinner and evening on your own.  
  • Day 6 • Wednesday, March 12 
    Following breakfast, you will explore finance, investment, and the future of the British Pound as your first corporate visit, followed by lunch on your own. Today’s second corporate visit will explore London’s banking structure, lending policies and emerging investment opportunities. Dinner and evening on your own.  
  • Day 7 • Thursday, March 13
    After breakfast, head out for today’s first corporate visit, which will involve business development strategies and operation management, followed by lunch on your own. An afternoon corporate visit will explore FinTech trends and opportunities. Dinner and evening on your own. 
  • Day 8 • Friday, March 14
    After breakfast, a morning corporate visit addressing risk mitigation in London’s financial sector, followed by lunch on your own. Today’s afternoon corporate visit explores venture capital, angel investment, and other funding channels in London’s startup scene. Dinner and evening on your own. 
  • Day 9 • Saturday, March 15 
    Check out of hotel and transfer to London Heathrow Airport for return flight 

*Examples of past corporate visits: JP Morgan Chase, Goldman Sachs, and London Stock Exchange

Hotel Accommodations

St. Giles Hotel 
Central London, Bedford Avenue
London WC1B 3GH
+(44)0 20 7300 3000
 

Airline Schedule 

You are responsible for securing your own flight.

Transfers

We request that you plan your arrival at London Heathrow by noon on Saturday, March 8, 2025. All transfers to and from the hotel in London are included in your package.


Prices Included

  • Hotels accommodations as per itinerary (Hotels in London are only available as double rooms. Single supplement of $660 is available).
  • Buffet breakfast daily 
  • Gratuities for drivers and guides
  • All transfers and sightseeing with entrance fees as per itinerary

Price does not included

  • Tuition
  • Single room supplement + $660
  • Excess luggage
  • Meals other than breakfast
  • Personal expenses
  • Passport fees - Passport should be valid until six months after return from study tour (September 16, 2025).

Visas are not required for United States citizens traveling to the United Kingdom. All international students are responsible for determining if a visa is required and should immediately apply for the visa. Please check British Consulate General New York site for visa requirements. Trip fees cannot be refunded if a visa is denied. Also, alert the International Programs office if you are applying for a visa.

Transfers Campus/Airport/Campus

You will be responsible for transportation, or a supplement may be added from the Office of International Programs for charter bus service to and from the airport. You will be notified if a charter service is planned and what the supplement will be.

Terms and Conditions

WorldStrides | ISA Custom Programs terms are based on contracts with hotels and other suppliers. The terms and stipulations noted below are bound by these contracts and will be strictly enforced. A passport valid until six months after return of study tour is required (September 16, 2025).

Online Registration Instructions

To register,

  • visit WorldStrides site
  • Click “Register To Travel” 
  • When promoted, enter the Penn State Harrisburg Trip ID: 218562
  • Enter the requested security characters, and click on “Register Now”
  • Review the summary page and click “Register” to enter your information

Contacts

Travel arrangements

WorldStrides | ISA Custom Programs Account Manager: Laura Gentry/ Suite 400, 
218 West Water Street/ Charlottesville, VA 22902 
Phone: 1-434-284-9693 (direct)
Phone: 1-844-277-2130 (toll free)
Internal Extension: 29693
E-mail: [email protected] 

Program information

Stephanie Ponnett
International Programs
C114R Olmsted Building
Phone: 717-948-6062 E-mail: [email protected] 

Trip Registration

Deposit: $500 (Non-refundable) due by November 26, 2024

Your deposit will assure your reservation with the hotel and other suppliers. Your deposit can be paid online by credit card or electronic check. If you are paying by regular check, payment must be sent with a copy of your passport as soon as your registration has been made online.

Payments

Final payment of $2,275 or remaining balance due January 6, 2025. Credit card, debit card, or electronic check payments will be accepted by WorldStrides | ISA Custom Programs.

Late Fees

A late fee of $40 per person will be assessed if payments are not received within seven days of their respective due dates unless advance arrangements have been made. These arrangements and requests must be made in writing to WorldStrides | ISA Custom Programs.

Cancellation penalties

  • All cancellations must be sent in writing via e-mail or fax to WorldStrides | ISA Custom Programs.
  • Cancellations are effective on the date they are received by WorldStrides | ISA Custom Programs. 

Cancelation Received  31 to 60 Days Prior to Departure: For any cancellations received between January 1, 2025, and January 30, 2025, WorldStrides | ISA Custom Programs will retain 50 percent of the Ground Services portion of the program ($1,387.50).

Cancelation within 30 Days of Departure (or no show): Cancellations received January 31, 2025, and after are subject to a cancellation fee equal to 100 percent of the Ground Services fee ($2,775). Course registration is separate from trip registration. Upon receiving your deposit, WorldStrides | ISA Custom Programs will send you a receipt that you will need to register for the course.