Work Abroad

GT has and official work abroad program! For more information, please see here.

Perhaps you studied abroad and you're just dying to go back. Maybe you couldn't seem to fit study abroad into your schedule, and you want to see the world and learn about new cultures. There's always the possibility that you just want to have an experience that will build professional skills and help with your career search. No matter your reasoning, the Office of International Education wants to help you learn about where, how, and when you can work abroad.

The best time to look for a job overseas is right now, because there are many organizations/agencies that offer assistance with obtaining work permits and/or finding a job, but only if you're a student or recent graduate. If you are considering working abroad, your first step should be to determine what type of experience you'd like to have, such as:

 Internships
 Voluntary Service Projects
 Paid Work Abroad Exchange Program
 Teaching English Abroad
 International Career Fairs
 Additional information on internship and work abroad opportunities

Generally, internships relate somehow to your area of study or your chosen field of work, giving you the opportunity to get some hands-on experience before applying for a job. Internships also allow you try out a field of work, in case you're unsure of your career choice.

Paid internships are often offered through work exchange organizations (see pages 2-4 of this booklet). You are generally required to obtain a permit for any type of paid work abroad, and many of these organizations can help you with the permit in addition to helping place you in a position.

You may also get an internship with an international company or organization. You should apply directly to the company, and they may place you in an office overseas, or there may be an option of working at an international office within the US. This type of internship may or may not be for pay, but the employer should take care of the work permit, if necessary. It's always good to have a contact at the company to which you're applying to put in a good word for you and to let you know about open positions.

The US Department of State has a large internship program with a formal application process. The application deadline for their summer internships is generally in early November. Visit their web site for more information.

The following organization also have internship opportunities available to students:
Transatlantic Program
German American Chamber of Commerce of the Midwest
401 N. Michigan Avenue, Suite 2525
Chicago, IL 60611-4212
E-mail: transatlanticprogram@gaccom.org
Phone: (312)494-2174

This program offers 25 internships with Germany companies each summer. The program includes one week of pre-internship travel and a two to three month internship. Some of the internships are paid internships while others will include a stipend. The program is open to undergraduate and graduate students in the fields of engineering, economics, marketing, finance, business, and computer science. To participate you must have at least 2 years of college-level German. For more information, check out their website at www.transatlanticprogram.org.

This year's application deadline is: January 31, 2005.

Voluntary service projects are often sponsored by nongovernmental organizations, religious groups, or government organizations, such as the Peace Corp, and can be a good way for you to learn about the social and political issues of a certain part of the world. Additionally, you will be able to learn about the culture of the local people while donating your time and services to community development. These types of opportunities are available for both long- and short-term periods, depending on the sponsor. Some may take place over all or part of the summer, while others may require a commitment of a year or more. By definition of the word "voluntary," you should not expect to be paid for your work on these assignments, but it is possible that the organization for which you're volunteering will be able to provide room and board.

You can find out more information about volunteering abroad from the following resources:

VFP (Volunteers for Peace)

Some of these programs will assist you in getting work permits and will provide information to help your job-search once you're on-site. Others will actually place you in a particular position beforehand. The fees for services vary from program to program, as do the wages. Generally speaking, you can assume that you will make enough money to cover your expenses; however, it can never hurt to save before you go!

Typical jobs can range from internships related to your major to temp work to retail and restaurant work. Programs usually run for a period of a summer or semester, but in some cases, you may be able to obtain a permit to work for up to 18 months.

The following organizations can help you if you choose to work abroad through an exchange program:

 AIESEC
Georgia Tech Student Services Building
Atlanta, GA 30332-0283
E-mail: georgiatech@aiesec.net
Phone: (404) 894-8990

AIESEC is a global, entirely student-run, non-profit organization. AIESEC provides meaningful paid internships in 87 countries in business, economics, international affairs, and some engineering disciplines. AIESEC is the world's largest student-run exchange program. The overall aim is to promote international and cultural understanding through the student work exchange program. Visit the AIESEC website at www.aiesec.org or cyberbuzz.gatech.edu/aiesec.

 AIPT/IAESTE
10400 Little Patuxent Parkway, Suite 250
Columbia, MD 21044-3510
E-mail: iaeste@aipt.org
Phone: (410) 997-3069

IAESTE is an international network that coordinates on-the-job training for students in most engineering fields and some science fields. To participate in IAESTE you must be a junior or higher, enrolled full-time at an accredited US college or university and between the ages of 19-30. An IAESTE traineeship is a paid internship abroad. Positions are available in most areas. Most placements are from 8-12 weeks during the summer. For more information, use the contact information listed above or check out the IAESTE website at www.aipt.org/iaeste.html.

 American Scandinavian Foundation (ASF)
58 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10016
E-mail: info@amscan.org
Phone: (212) 879-9779

Gain work experience in Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden. Full-time engineering, computer science, and chemistry students are eligible, as well as students who are interested in Teaching English as a Foreign Language or summer agriculture. No knowledge of foreign language is necessary. Application deadline is December 31 (February 1 for TEFL placement). Obtain applications from ASF and further information at www.amscan.org.

 BUNAC
P.O. Box 430
Southbury, CT 06488
E-mail: enquiries@bunacusa.org
Phone: (203) 264-0901

Live and work in Britain for up to 6 months, Australia for up to 4 months or in New Zealand for up to 12 months. Participation in the BUNAC program is open to full-time students and graduating seniors. Current fees are $250 for Britain, $475 for Australia and $450 for New Zealand. Call 1-800-GO-BUNAC or check out BUNAC's web site at www.bunac.org.

 Congress-Bundestag Program (CDS)
330 Seventh Ave
New York, NY 1000
E-mail: info@cdsintl.org
Phone: (212) 497-3500

CDS offers a wide variety of internships, research, fact-finding and work-study programs to students who want to do these things abroad. An extensive listing of these opportunities can be found at the CDS website at www.cdsintl.org. For applications and further information, contact the CDS International, Inc.

 CIEE Work Abroad

New York Office: 633 Third Avenue New York, NY 10017 E-mail: Info@council.exchanges.org Phone: 1-888-COUNCIL

Boston Office: 6 Hamilton Place, 5th Floor Boston, MA 02108 E-mail: Highschool@councilexchanges.org Phone: (617) 247-0350

Students can obtain working papers for Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, and New Zealand through the Council on International Educational Education (CIEE). For a fee of a few hundred dollars, CIEE provides a work visa, information on how to find a job, potential places to stay, and general orientation. The visa allows you to work for a specified length of time (usually between 3-6 months, depending on the destination). Brochures and applications are available on-line: us.councilexchanges.org.

 French Cultural Services
972 Fifth Ave
New York, NY 10021 Phone: (212) 439-1400

This service distributes a free guide about employment in France for students, including work regulations, job possibilities and additional references. More information is available on-line at www.frenchculture.org.

 Interexchange
161 Sixth Avenue
New York, NY 10013
E-mail: Info@interexchange.org Phone: (212) 924-0446

Offers a range of overseas work placements, from au pair positions to agricultural work (professional or unskilled) and teaching English. Brochures are available in the Study Abroad Office. Please visit the web site at www.interexchange.org.

 International Cooperative Education Program (ICEP)
ICEP
15 Spiros Way
Menlo Park, CA 94025 Phone: (415) 323-4944

ICEP offers paid summer internships in Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, Finland, Japan and Singapore. Positions usually require a good working knowledge of the local language. ME, EE, and computer science positions are especially abundant. Apply by February at the latest.

Teaching English is a popular option for many college graduates seeking long-term paid positions abroad. English teachers are in demand in many parts of the world, especially outside of Western Europe. Including some of the organizations mentioned above, there are many programs that will assist you in finding a position teaching English overseas:

 Fulbright English Teaching Assistantships
Georgia Tech Fulbright Program Advisor:
Amy Bass Henry, Associate Director
Office of International Education
631 Cherry St., Savant Building, Suite 211
Atlanta, GA 30332-0284 Phone: (404) 894-7475
Fax: (404) 894-9682
E-mail: overseas@oie.gatech.edu

Fulbright offers one-year positions in Belgium and Luxembourg, France, Germany, Hungary, Korea, and Turkey. Strong preference is given to those who intend to be future teachers. Application deadline is in mid-September the year before the position starts.

 JET Program
Office of the JET Program
Embassy of Japan
2520 Massachusetts Ave, NW
Washington, DC 20008 Phone: (202) 238-6772 or (800) INFO-JET

This program, sponsored by the Japanese government, offers placement for English teachers in junior or senior high schools in Japan for one year. Several thousand positions available each year. Bachelor's degree and US citizenship required. Application deadline is in early December. Visit the JET website for more information.

Another method of finding international jobs and internships is to attend international job/career fairs. Many of these fairs are held annually and include a wide range of employers filling positions in diverse fields. Some are more specialized and are mainly intended for recruiting people with specific skills and types of educational backgrounds. Following are some annual career forums that may cater to GT students' needs.

 Forum USA
Boston, Chicago, San Francisco
E-mail: forumusa@ambafrance-us.org
The Office for Science and Technology at the Embassy of France in the US holds this yearly recruitment forum to bring together students and French companies. Recruiters fill both job and internship positions at the forum. Graduate students and experienced people specialized in engineering and hard sciences, as well as MBA students, are welcome. The Forum USA 2004 will be held consecutively in Boston, Chicago, and San Francisco in April. Candidates can register on-line. Registration deadline is generally in January. For more information, go to www.forumusa.org.

 diSCO International Career Forum
E-mail: cr@discointer.com
DISCO International, Inc. holds annual career fairs for international Japanese students, as well as other Japanese-English bilingual students, to convert their degrees into outstanding careers with the world's leading companies. Each year, these career forums are held in Boston, San Francisco, London, and Tokyo. Diverse positions in a wide variety of industries are available, and interviews and job offers are given on-site. Travel scholarships are generally available, and registration is free. DISCO has also proposed a Chinese-English career forum for the near future. For more information, see the web site: http://www.careerforum.net.

The information in this booklet is based upon that at www.iiepassport.org. The laws and regulations related to work by Americans in other countries are subject to change. Please be advised that you should seek the latest information from the organizations involved or from consular officials of the country in which you wish to work.