UNION
COLLEGE
International
Study Programs
Dr. Thomas K. Jewell, P.E.
Director of International Programs
for Engineering
At UNION you will learn how
to look into the future
and shape it
Nanotechnology
Bioengineering
Mechatronics
Pervasive Comp
and how to look at the
world and help change it
Need for Global
Perspective
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•
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Globalization of marketplace
Shrinking world
Developing countries
Off shore outsourcing
UNION General Education
Requirements
• Linguistic and Cultural Competency
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–
–
–
International Experiences
Modern Languages
Cultural Comparisons
Cultural Traditions
Union
International
Experiences
–
–
–
–
–
Terms Abroad
International Internships
International Design Projects
Mini-Terms Abroad (3 weeks)
Summer Programs
80
70
80
60
80
70
50
60
40
30
60
50
40
20
70
60
50
NORTH
AMERICA
80
70
50
ASIA
40
30
40
PACIFIC
OCEAN
30
TROPIC OF CANCER
30
TROPIC OF CANCER
20
10
EQUATOR
20
AFRICA
10
10
PACIFIC
10
20
10
OCEAN
30
TROPIC OF CAPRICORN
40
SOUTH
AMERICA
20
20
40 30
50
50
60
60
70
80
70
INDIAN
O C E10A N
10
30
20
30 30
40
40
50
50
60
60
EQUATOR
30
40
40
50
50
60
60
10
TROP OF CAPRICORN
20
AUSTRALIA
30
30
40
40
50
50
60
60
80
70
70
80
Terms Abroad
70
80
70
80
Exchanges
ANTARCTICA
80
IVDS
International Terms in Industry
70
70
80
80
Mini Terms Abroad
Language Preparation
Class of 2011
• 38.2% Four or more years
– 29.8% Spanish
– 3.6% French
– 4.8% Other
• 11.9% None
• 34.5% Three years
• 15.6% One or two years
Engineering Students’
International Experiences
Type of Experience
2007
2006
2005
2004
Average
(99-03)
Term Abroad
57%
49%
46%
52%
50.8%
Mini-term
13%
23%
34%
28%
31.5%
2%
4.2%
International Design
Project
International Internship
Other (Not involving
international travel)
1.2%
30%
28%
20%
18%
12.3%
Terms Abroad
Benefits

Length of stay

Language proficiency

Cultural immersion

Support group
Disbenefits

Most have no engineering
courses
Full Year
• Royal Institute of Technology
(KTH) in Stockholm, Sweden
Fall, 2007
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Australia
Sao Paulo, Brazil
Central Europe
Prague, Czech Republic
Shanghai, China
York, England
Rennes, France (FRN201)
Rouen, France (FRN101 or equivalent)
Fall, 2007 (continued)
•
•
•
•
•
•
Aachen, Germany
Athens, Greece
Ireland
LaSalle, Mexico
Osaka, Japan (JPN100 preferred)
Vietnam
Winter, 2008
• Seville, Spain (SPN203)
– Alternate Years
Cuernavaca, Mexico
(SPN203)
• Barbados (Ed. Studies)
• Tasmania
Spring, 2008
• Freiburg & Berlin, Germany
(GER101 or GER201)
• Florence, Italy (ITL100)
Summer, 2008
• National Health Systems
Alternate Springs
• Marine Studies
– Bermuda, Woods Hole,
Newfoundland
– Prerequisite: One
course in either
sociology or biology
– Odd years
When to Apply
• Full Year Programs
– 3rd week of winter term
• Summer/Fall Programs
– Friday, 3rd week of winter term
• Winter Break/Winter Programs
– Friday, 3rd week of spring term
• Spring Programs
– Friday, 3rd week of fall term
New Programs
• Fachhochschulen,
Germany
– Aachen
– Julich
• LaSalle, Mexico
– Mexico City
– Cuernavaca
– Bajio
Aachen
Julich
LaSalle, Mexico City
LaSalle, Cuernavaca
LaSalle, Bajio
Programs Under
Construction
• Germany
– Gelsenkirchen
– Bocholt
• Mexico
– Monterrey Tech
• Spain
– Cordoba
• France
– Lille
Bocholt
Monterrey Tech
International Internships
Benefits
 Length of stay
 Strong engineering
component
 Language proficiency
 Cultural immersion
 Interaction with
international
engineers
 Scheduling and length
somewhat flexible
Disbenefits
 No academic credit
IAESTE
• International Association for the Exchange
of Students for Technical Experience
• Internships in Industry
• Reciprocal Program
– Union Students to International Companies
– International Students to U.S. Companies
• Paid Positions
German American
Chamber of Commerce
• GACC host-companies operate in the
following areas:
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–
–
–
–
automotive industry
information technology
microelectronics
sensor and control systems
measuring systems
• Some positions do not require German
proficiency
International Design
Projects
Benefits

Length of interaction

Interaction with international engineers

Design oriented
Disbenefits

Technical difficulties

Length of immersion
ESIGELEC
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•
•
•
Rouen, France
Robotics
Mechatronics
Industrial Processes
and Control
Mini-Term
Benefits



Doesn’t interfere with regular classes
Interdisciplinary
Interaction with international engineers
Disbenefit
 Length of immersion
What is a
Miniterm?
• Pre-trip Seminars
• Three weeks in country
• Comprehensive report
and presentation
Why Mini-terms?
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•
•
•
•
Experience another culture
Minimize time away from engineering studies
Introduction to globalization of engineering
Interdisciplinary team work
Expands international experience options
Interdisciplinary
• Mix of engineering and liberal arts students
• Topics involve mix of engineering and
liberal arts issues
• Student teams
Topics
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•
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NZ Electricity Market
Acid Mine Drainage
Oil Shale Development
Roman Water Systems in
Spain
• Wind Power
• Geothermal Power
Generation
Logistics
•
•
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Housing
Transportation
Academic component
Support infrastructure
Costs
Pre-trip Seminars
•
•
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Introduction to culture
Background on topics
Logistics instructions
Know what to look for
and ask
In Country
•
•
•
•
Verification
Immersion
Field work
Fun
Cultural Aspects
Where?
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•
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•
Rouen, France
New Zealand
Spain
Non-engineering
Not all work!
Other International
Experience Options
German Academic
Exchange Program (DAAD)
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Language Programs
Scholarships
Undergraduate Study
Graduate Study
Research
Summer Programs
• URI German Summer School of the
Atlantic
• Engineering World Health Summer
Institute
• Engineers for a Sustainable World
• Engineers Without Borders
• High Tech in Old Munich
How to Prepare
• Discuss with Advisor
• Research
– Terms Abroad Office
– Web Sites
• Plan Ahead
• Take Courses
– Language
– Background
• Apply
How to be Competitive
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•
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Cumulative Academic Average
Excellent Essay
Language Preparation
Course Preparation
Good Luck
and
Enjoy