University of Michigan
International Center

home | study, work, & travel | work abroad | options | engineering and science

Engineering and Science

Engineers and scientists are among the most likely occupational groups to be involved in work with an international dimension. Yet students of engineering and science have been among the least likely to study or work abroad, although this is changing. Now there are many opportunities for going abroad, including paying internships, some of which are given below.

U-M Offices for Study and Work Abroad

U-M College of Engineering, International Programs in Engineering (IPE)
Room 245
Chrysler Center (North Campus)
734.647.7129		 The U-M College of Engineering sponsors engineering study abroad programs in Asia, Australia, Europe and Latin America for undergraduates and graduate students. Sophomores or juniors may enroll in regular universities and take core engineering courses that are applicable to the U-M degree. See the IPE web site for more information.
International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience, Michigan (IAESTE-Michigan) This student organization is U-M's own local chapter of the internship organization IAESTE. See IAESTE-United States for more information.
U-M International Center
Education Abroad Office
603 E. Madison St.
734.647.2299		 Offers comprehensive information (including weekly e-mail updates) on options for study abroad, scholarships, international internships, work and volunteering abroad, and inexpensive travel abroad. Peer advisors can give first-hand information on studying and working in many different countries. The U-M Peace Corps Office is part of the U-M International Center. The U-M International Center also offers services for international students.
Center for Global and Intercultural Study (CGIS)
G155 Angell Hall
435 S. State St.
734.764.4311
oip@umich.edu 		CGIS offers LS&A study abroad programs (some of which offer science courses) in Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America. Also administers some of the scholarship programs for U-M undergraduates.
U-M International Institute
Suite 2660
School of Social Work Building
1080 South University
734.763.9200 iimichigan@umich.edu		 The International Institute offers “Individually-Developed Internship” scholarships for U-M undergraduate and graduate students to support overseas study and internships. Apply in Winter term. Also offers scholarships for study abroad for graduate students.
U-M Japan Technology Management Program
2715 IOE Building
1205 Beal Avenue
734.763.3258 		JMTP offers paid internships in Japan for engineering, science and business students. Previous study of Japanese is usually required. Apply by October for widest range of options.
U-M College of Engineering Career Resource Center
230 Chrysler Center
734.647.7160 		Best source for long-term engineering positions and some internships, but relatively few listings for overseas jobs.

Overseas Internships-Worldwide

IAESTE (International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience) IAESTE is the only worldwide technical internship organization (over 80 countries). Both U.S. and non-U.S. citizens are eligible. You must be a currently enrolled student when you apply. The internships pay enough to cover living expenses, but airfare is the participant's responsibility. Odds of placement depend upon your major field and previous work experience. Around 1/3 of U-M applicants are offered an internship. Those active in U-M's IAESTE chapter will have much better odds of getting an internship. Non-refundable application fee. Plus, if you accept a job offer a participation fee applies. Apply by January 1 for the following summer. IAESTE can help you with your internship plans in any of the following ways:

  • Simply apply online at the national IAESTE organization.
  • U-M Students only: Or, become an active member of IAESTE-Michigan, which will greatly increase your chances of getting an overseas IAESTE internship. IAESTE-Michigan raises internships in the U.S., giving its members access to more overseas internships.
  • Or, IAESTE can assist in obtaining a work permit if you have an overseas internship offer. This is not easy unless you have connections (perhaps through a previous employeer, a professor, or family). Check with IAESTE's national office to be sure that they can do this for a specific country.
U-M Students Only:
AIESEC (International Association of Students in Economics and Business Management)
AIESEC is the business equivalent of International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience. It sometimes has technical internships available. AIESEC has meetings near the beginning of Fall & Winter terms for those interested in applying for internships. Citizens of all countries are eligible for International Association of Students in Economics and Business Management. Non- U-M Students should also see AIESEC.

Germany, Russia, Argentina, and Spain

Carl Duisberg Society (CDS) International CDS offers many different programs. The Congress-Bundestag Program (Germany) consists of 2 months intensive German, 4 months attending a university or technical college, and a 5-month internship. Most expenses paid; no application fee. Specified age of participants is 18-24. Application deadline is December 1. The CDS Internship Program offers paid internships for undergraduates or graduates and is 3 or 6 months in duration; offered in Germany, Russia, (unpaid) Argentina and Spain. Apply by December 1 for summer, or 5 months in advance otherwise. There is a participation fee. See CDS International web site for additional programs.
U-M students: Contact the official CDS representative in the German Department. CDS Applications are also available at U-M International Center.

Scandinavia

American-Scandinavian Foundation (ASF) Offers internships primarily in Finland and Sweden, sometimes Denmark and Norway. No knowledge of a foreign language is needed. For U.S. citizens and permanent residents only. Applicants must have some previous work experience. Most engineering fields available. Positions pay enough to cover living expenses, but airfare is the participant's responsibility. There is an application fee and refundable deposit. Application deadline is January 1 for summer. To apply after this deadline, send a resume and ask to be notified of openings. ASF can also procure work permits for the Scandinavian countries, for those who find their own placements. Applications are also available at U-M International Center.

Australia, Britain, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand

BUNAC For a fee, The BUNAC Work Abroad Program gives you a work permit without having a job offer (otherwise impossible), and you find your own job using the program's listings and overseas job offices. For U.S. citizens and/or permanent residents. Several U-M students each year find engineering internships in this way. For internship-like positions, it's best to write in advance, although most participants simply go and find a job within 3-4 days! The U-M International Center has engineering listings for England. For details, see Short-Term Paid Work Abroad. Contact U-M International Center for other listings and applications.

Europe and Asia

International Cooperative Education Program (ICEP) ICEP offers paid summer internships in Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, China, Japan and Singapore. Positions usually require some knowledge of the local language. Mechanical Engineering (ME), Electrical Engineering (EE), computer positions especially abundant. Citizens of most countries eligible. Interviews given at U-M International Center in late October or telephone interviews are required in the language (usually not English) in which you would work. Apply by February at the latest. Free interview. Application fee plus participation fee. See ICEP binder at U-M International Center.

Peace Corps

The Peace Corps
U-M students:
Contact U-M Peace Corps Office at U-M International Center		 For U.S. citizens interested in working in developing countries, this is probably the best entry-level job. Virtually any engineer is likely to qualify as a math or science teacher (badly-needed skills). Civil engineers and others are also needed to do engineering work. Placements in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Eastern Europe. All expenses are paid, plus cash at the end of the 2-year period.
U.S. Department of State United Nations Volunteers is a similar option open to citizens of most countries. U.S. citizens apply through the Peace Corps. The U.S. Department of State offers internships and career positions as “specialists” for engineers, computer scientists and for those in information technology fields.

Last reviewed: 10/08