UNION COLLEGE

International Study Programs

Dr. Thomas K. Jewell, P.E.Director of International Programs

Engineering & Computer Science

Union College

• Founded 1795• Schenectady, NY • First Liberal Arts College with Engineering

(1845)• Ramee Campus• Squire Whipple• Charles Proteus Steinmetz

What Do We Offer at Union College?

B.S. Degrees in

• Computer Science

• Computer Engineering

• Electrical Engineering

• Mechanical Engineering

Computer Eng.Electrical Eng.Mechanical Eng.Computer ScienceBiologyChemistryPhysicsLiberal Arts

NanotechnologyBioengineeringMechatronicsPervasive

ComputingNeurosciencesand many others

ChangingWorld

…Union’s Programs leading to Opportunities

– Mini-Terms Abroad (3 weeks)

– Conventional Union Terms Abroad

– International Design Projects

– International Engineering Exchanges and

– International Internships and Co-ops

Union International Experiences

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AUSTRALIA

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GREENLANDGREENLAND

NORTHAMERICA

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P A C I F I C

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PACIFIC OCEANA T L A N T I C

Terms Abroad Mini Terms AbroadExchanges

International Terms in Industry

IVDS

Engineering Students’ International Experiences

Type of Experience 2007 2004Five Year

Average

Regular Terms Abroad 28% 13% 19.7%

Exchanges 28% 39% 31.1%

Mini-terms 18% 28% 31.5%

International Design Projects 2% 4.2%

International Internships 1.2%

Other (Not involving international travel)

26% 18% 12.3%

Ranking of Programs

Program Cost/Student Cost/Student/

Week

Net Benefit (w language)

Net Benefit(w/o language)

Regular Term Abroad

5 3 4.2 1.2

Mini-term 3 4 1.2 1.2

Engineering Exchange

2 1 6.5 3.3

International Design

1 5 0.9 0.9

International Internship

4 2 6.7 3.5

What is a Miniterm?

• Pre-trip Seminars• Three weeks in country• Comprehensive report and

presentation

• Experience another culture• Minimize time away from engineering studies• Introduction to globalization of engineering• Interdisciplinary team work• Expands international experience options

Why Mini-terms?

Topics

• NZ Electricity Market• Acid Mine Drainage• Oil Shale

Development• Roman Water

Systems in Spain• Wind Power• Geothermal Power

Generation

Where?

• Egypt• Rouen, France• New Zealand• Spain

Conventional Union Terms Abroad

Benefits Length of stay Language proficiency Cultural immersion Support group

Disbenefits No engineering courses

Fall

• Australia• Brazil • Central Europe• Shanghai, China• York, England• Rennes, France• Athens, Greece• Ireland• Osaka, Japan• Vietnam

Winter

• Barbados• Tasmania• Cuernavaca,

Mexico and Seville, Spain (Alternate Years)

Spring

• Freiburg & Berlin, Germany• Florence, Italy • Marine Studies (Alt. Years)

Summer

• National Health Systems

International Design Projects

Benefits Length of stay Interaction with international engineers Design oriented

Disbenefits Technical difficulties

International Engineering Exchanges

Benefits Length of stay Engineering classes Interaction with

international engineers Cultural immersion Language proficiency International engineers at

Union

Disbenefits Lack of support group

Issues Favoring Exchanges

• Strong Engineering Component

• Cultural Immersion• International Students to

Union• Minimize costs

Where

• Czech Technical University, Prague (Fall)

• ESIGELEC, Rouen, France (Fall)

• Royal Institute of Technology (KTH) in Stockholm, Sweden

German Academic Exchange Program

(DAAD)

• Language Programs

• Scholarships• Undergraduate

Study• Graduate Study• Research

New Exchanges

• Fachhochschulen, Germany– Aachen– Julich

• LaSalle, Mexico– Mexico City– Cuernavaca– Bajio

Exchanges Under Construction

• Germany– Gelsenkirchen– Bocholt

• Mexico– Monterrey Tech

• Spain– Cordoba

• France– Lille

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

IAESTE

• Mission: Developing global skills in tomorrow’s technical leaders

• Established 1948 – Imperial College in London

• More than 80 member countries• International internships in

technical and scientific disciplines

How you can Partner with Union

• Sponsoring International Interns in your company

• For each intern you sponsor, Union gets to send one engineering student abroad for an internship.

• Incoming interns are well prepared– Upper bachelors or beginning masters level– Hit the ground running

• You choose interns you will sponsor.

Costs

• Program Fee– Up to six months : $800– Seven to twelve months: $1400– Includes health insurance

• Pay intern (usually $8 to $12 per hour)

Steps

• Fall: Determine your needs and submit “Offer of Training” form

• January: Highly qualified international candidates nominated by their universities.

• Spring: You accept or reject candidates. • IAESTE finalizes all the paperwork for

accepted interns, including J-1 visa authorization.

Can you Help?

• Additional information in handout.

• If you can’t, who do you know?