John Paul II International Fellowship
Become the Saints of the
New Millennium
Spend a summer in Poland and experience the adventure of a lifetime! Join our semester abroad program, walk in the footsteps of St. John Paul II, and be formed personally, intellectually, and spiritually.
Welcome to the John Paul II Project’s capstone program. Our International Fellowship is your opportunity to spend a summer in Kraków, Poland (and other places in Europe), and—together with your new-found friends—to study, explore, go on adventures, and get to know the Church better through the lens of St. John Paul II.
In the classroom, you will dive deep into the highest truths about God and the human person. But this education extends beyond the classroom as learning is intentionally integrated with cultural activities and the spiritual life. The story and thought of St. John Paul II guide us in this journey. You will engage with the arts in churches, museums, and castles, encounter the saints on pilgrimage, dialogue with locals and thought leaders, and embark on adventures in the great outdoors. The semester is grounded in a strong community life where students mature in life skills, friendship, and virtue through communal work, prayer, and fellowship.
The goal is very simple: to become holier, in both fun and challenging ways, through serious study, fellowship, and adventure.
Embark on an Adventure of Faith
“Do not be afraid. Do not be satisfied with mediocrity. Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” - Saint John Paul II
5 Reasons to Come ...
#1 Study JP2 in His Home with Full Accreditation
Take classes at The Pontifical University of John Paul II in the heart of Kraków, growing in your understanding of the Catholic faith. Study JP2’s personalist philosophy and European history—and it’s all fully accredited!
#2 Grow in Your Spiritual Life
Deepening your personal relationship with Jesus through an interior life is at the heart of our program. Every day starts with prayer, and every week is marked by communal Holy Hour and private Mass. Discovering the saints’ consecration to Our Lady is woven throughout the semester. Chaplains are available to support you.
#3 Go on Adventures
On the fellowship you will have experiences that tie together the content from the classroom, the particular richness of the location, and the adventure of the spiritual life. These opportunities range from retreats in nature to educational pilgrimages to historic cities. There are also free weekends for students to explore more of Poland and other places in Europe.
#4 Build Lifelong Friendships in Faith
Cultivating a family environment among the students is a distinguishing feature of our programs. You are invited to deep friendships and into growing in virtue and maturity through intentional community life. You also have the opportunity to experience Poland’s living culture by meeting local Polish families. By doing this Fellowship, you will join the extensive JP2 Project family.
#5 Seek the Challenge Instead of Comfort
You’re not a customer, you’re a saint in the making, and we hope that this fellowship will help you grow in holiness. This not only occurs in prayer and in class. It happens in community life. It happens by joining service projects. And it happens by abandoning yourself to God’s providence and becoming fully available for the present moment (this includes, scary but scarily exciting, having device-free meals).
5 Reasons Not to Come ...
#1 You Need to Use a Pen
With the rise of AI, developing the capacity to think for yourself is more important now than ever. Oral exams, presentations, and in-class essays await you in tech-free classrooms. Experiencing the culture is part of international fellowship, but you’ll have to do real intellectual work, too.
#2 Your Instagram Will Suffer
We emphasize minimal digital connection for maximum personal engagement — with God and others. With some experiences, such as retreats, meal time, and orientation days being device-free, you might miss “capturing” some beautiful experiences because you’re simply too busy living them.
#3 You Will Need to Welcome Risks
Signing up for this program means you’re signing up for an adventure. While you’re expected to be an adult and take responsibility for your own needs and your attitude, you will not always be in control of what’s going on. You must be willing to surrender control and step into the unknown.
#4 There Is No Costumer Service
Like we mentioned, you’re not a customer, you’re a saint in the making. And you won’t be able to solve your problems by messaging a chatbot. Whether it’s a misunderstanding with a roommate or a struggle with the program, you’re expected to deal with issues as they arise face-to-face with the people involved.
#5 It's Hard and Uncomfortable
Community breakfast starts at 7:00 a.m. with a morning offering, and sometimes, you’ll be on breakfast duty to prepare it. With sharing living quarters with roommates and household chores, things are imperfect and go off-schedule. Expect the messiness of family life and the challenge to virtue.
May 22 - June 30, 2025
Summer 2025
Study in Kraków
Go on Pilgrimages
Encounter God (and JP2) in Creation
Optional: Stay Longer for the Jubilee
Students attend classes at The Pontifical University of John Paul II, located adjacent to the historic Wawel Castle and Cathedral in the heart of Kraków.
Course Descriptions
“Faith and reason are like two wings on which the human spirit rises to the contemplation of truth; and God has placed in the human heart a desire to know the truth.” - Saint John Paul II
PSYC | Personalist Psychology of Karol Wojtyła/John Paul II
The objective of this course is to consider the foundations of a personalist psychology within the thought of Karol Wojtyła/Pope John Paul II. Wojtyła’s Catholic anthropology is pondered in conversation with the enduring questions within psychology. Wojtyła’s theological, philosophical, and dramatic writings are analyzed for themes regarding human nature, human motivation, human development, and human personality. Wojtyła’s contributions are considered a potential unifying paradigm within the fragmented field of contemporary psychology. Furthermore, students will have a better understanding of the relevance of Wojtyła’s teachings to our current social, educational, and cultural challenges. This course offers a unique opportunity to explore the rich fabric of human psychology through the lens of this profound thinker and most outstanding spiritual leader of our times.
Professor: Keith A. Houde, Ph.D. - 3 US Credits | 6 ECTS
HIST | 20th Century Central European History
The objective of this course is to explore the enduring influence of Catholicism on public life in Central Europe, tracing the region’s 20th-century history from the collapse of the Habsburg Empire in 1918 to the fall of the Iron Curtain in 1989. Focusing on nations like Poland, [former] Czechoslovakia, Hungary, and Ukraine, we delve into the interplay between fascism, communism, and the Catholic Church against a backdrop of increasing secularization, culminating at the Second Vatican Council. Through key figures like Blessed Emperor Karl, Václav Havel, and Pope John Paul II, we examine the political and religious transformations of Central Europe. Students will analyze primary sources, visit historical sites like Auschwitz, and gain familiarity with modern Central European history, the role of Catholicism, and contemporary academic historiography.
Professor: Samuel Trizuljak - 3 US Credits | 6 ECTS
Ready to Apply?
"The future starts today, not tomorrow." - Saint John Paul II
Application Steps
1. Submit your application online. Have these documents ready:
- Two references and their contact details.
- Your physician’s name and contact details.
- A personal statement (200-400 words) explaining your motivation to join the program.
2. We will review your application, and invite you on a 20-minute video interview with JP2 Project staff.
3. You are accepted! We will email you with detailed next steps.
What Our Students Say
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have any questions about our John Paul II International Fellowship? See the list below for our most frequently asked questions. If your questions are not listed here, please contact us.
When do I arrive and depart?
The 2025 Fellowship program starts on May 22 and ends on June 30.
Do I need a student visa?
No. US citizens may visit the European Union for up to 90 days (within 180 days) without a visa. This is important to bear in mind when making your travel plans so as to arrive in the EU early enough or stay too late. However, if you plan to stay for more than 90 days in the EU, please contact our team so they can help advise you on how best to do this.
What is included in the cost?
Just about everything!
- Rent and utilities at the JP2 Center.
- Lodging for retreats, pilgrimages, and courses held outside of Krakow.
- Meals (excluding discovery days).
- Coffee and tea at the residence.
- Orientation materials.
- Travel insurance.
- Airport transportation upon arrival and departure.
- All ground transportation in Kraków and other locations of pilgrimage or retreats that are part of the program.
- Flights from Krakow to Rome
- Tickets and tour fees for the local cultural experiences, pilgrimages, and excursions that are part of the program.
- Printing services for academic and travel purposes.
- Access to a washing machine and laundry detergent.
- Basic cleaning supplies and toilet paper.
- Tuition for all classes.
What is NOT included in the cost?
- Your international flight to Kraków, Poland.
- Personal expenses such as souvenirs and entertainment.
- Meals during your Discovery Days.
- Books for the course
Is there an opportunity to travel on the weekends?
Can I receive credits for the classes I take in Kraków?
Yes, you can receive credits for the classes you take in Kraków. Most of our alumni successfully received credits from their home universities, ranging from state schools, non-religiously affiliated private schools, and diversely religiously affiliated private schools. This decision depends ultimately on your home university.
It is the responsibility of the student to secure the transfer of credits with the academic department of their home university. We encourage you to discuss how the courses abroad fit into your academic plan with your academic advisor in advance. The JP2 Project team will work with you, your academic dean, the registrar, and the financial aid department regarding the transfer of credits and potential application for federal and private aid for your semester abroad.
Upon completing your courses, you may receive an official transcript from the Pontifical University of John Paul II in Kraków.
The JP2 Project team is experienced in collaborating with students from diverse majors to see how their courses abroad may fit into their academic plans. Ask us how!
Do I have to be a student or receive credit for the classes?
It is possible for individuals who do not need academic credit for the courses to participate in our summer John Paul II International Fellowship. These may be students in university, those who have yet to begin university, or who have already graduated from college. Acceptance of these individuals is examined on a case-by-case basis. These individuals participate as “enrichment students” and must commit to doing all of the required coursework, which facilitates learning. These students may be omitted from the final exams. Those wishing to receive a certificate of completion for the courses taken must complete the final exams.
Are there scholarships available?
Thanks to the generosity of others, the JP2 Project does offer some limited scholarships, which are granted according to both need and merit. Students have also sucessfully obtained scholarships from other sources and fundraised the cost of the program. Ask your JP2 Project representative for assistance. We encourage you to not let finances hold you back from pursuing the program. You never know what doors will open until you start walking the path.
Can my current financial aid transfer to my International Fellowship?
Depending on the type of financial aid you receive at your home institution, your existing financial aid may also be used for studying abroad, or you may apply for additional financial aid.
First, existing grants or scholarships typically apply to your academic year (fall and spring) and not summer programs. In general, the application for private grants or institutional scholarships is determined by the grant or scholarship provider. In other words, if you receive a scholarship directly from your home university, then it is up to your home university to decide if they will let you use those funds to pay for a international fellowship program that you would do instead of taking courses at your home institution. These cases are rare, but it is worth asking, as some students in the past have successfully been able to use their institutional scholarships and private grants to join our International Fellowship..
To apply for federal aid to an international fellowship, your home university must accept the courses you will take abroad as for-credit courses to further your degree. This means the courses abroad should count for credit, at least as general electives. In this case of receiving credit, your university must apply your existing federal aid package towards your fall or an international fellowship.
During the summer, it is possible to apply for additional federal financial aid and use these funds to pay for a summer international fellowship. The policy mentioned above applies in that you must receive credit at your home institution for these courses to receive this additional federal aid during the summer.
The JP2 Project team is experienced in working with students and the financial aid offices of their home universities in this process.
What is lodging like?
Students reside at the John Paul II ‘Be Not Afraid’ Center and Sanctuary in Kraków. Just a 10-minute walk from St. Faustina’s Divine Mercy Shrine, The JP2 Center is a beautiful campus dedicated to our patron saint. The housing at the JP2 Center are large, shared suites that can fit up to 10 people (of the same sex). So, yes, you will have roommates! Each suite has one to two full bathrooms, a small kitchenette, and a small washing machine.
Lodging during excursions outside Kraków may vary from host families to rustic bunks to pilgrim hostels.
Will there be a packing list?
Contact Us
We would love to speak with you.
Feel free to reach out using the below details.
