Working Abroad
"I received four job offers in two days... the thing that impressed the principals the most was all of my study abroad experience." - Ellen Christian, Berry graduate
Have you recently gone abroad and fallen in love with traveling? Would you like to? Is the prospect of starting your professional and career search staring you down, waiting for you to make your move? Did you know the best window for finding work in other countries is while you are a student or recent graduate?
Well now is your chance to respond to these rhetorical questions with some decisive and exciting action. Berry College International Programs wants to equip you with the opportunity to begin your professional career abroad. Available right now are prospects in the following:
- Internships
- Paid Work Abroad Exchange Programs
- Teaching English Abroad
- International Career Fairs
- And other opportunities!!
Check out The Big Guide to Living and Working Overseas!
Internships
Click here to learn about some recommended international internships!
- The best way to learn more about your chosen area of study or work is by getting in there and getting your feet wet with an internship. This opportunity will allow you to test the waters, to determine if that particular field is what is right for you.
- Work exchange programs are often the best way to acquire paid internships. They will help you obtain the required permits needed to work in another country, and they can help you find the position that is right for you.
- You can also apply directly to the international company or organization with whom you want to work. They may provide you with a position in an international office with the US or place you in an office overseas.
- Not all internships are for pay, but the skills you learn and the connections you make are invaluable. People you meet can put in a good word for you later down the road when you are interested in a full-time position.
For more information see the following:
CDS International- This program, administered in cooperation with our partner organization, COINED - Comision de Intercambio Educaativo - provides internship opportunities for U.S. students and young professionals in either Buenos Aires or Córdoba, Argentina. Unpaid placements are available in business/ finance, hotel management, computer science and engineering fields.
Website: www.cdsintl.org
Council Work Abroad- Work in the USA for the summer or as an intern. Teach in China or Thailand. Work abroad or volunteer abroad. Many opportunities.
Website: www.ciee.org
University of Minnesota Work, Intern & Volunteer Abroad site http://www.umabroad.umn.edu/programs/WIV/index.html
National Internship Directory- www.internsearch.com
United Nations- The United Nations Headquarters Secretariat Internship Program is offered on a two-month basis three times a year. The program is normally full-time, i.e., interns are expected to work five days a week (9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.) in the department or office of the Secretariat which has selected them, carrying out their tasks under the supervision of a staff member - the supervisor.
Website: http://www.un.org/Depts/OHRM/sds/internsh/index.htm
University of Michigan International Center- http://www.internationalcenter.umich.edu/swt/work/
US Department of State-One of the largest internship programs with a formal application process. The application deadline for their summer internships is generally in early November so apply early. See their web site [www.state.gov]for more information.
Paid Work Abroad Exchange Program
You have to pay a fee for services, but most of these programs are worth the cost to find you the job, sometimes before you get abroad, sometimes once you get there. Each program varies with results ranging from paid internships to temp work to retail and restaurant work just to get you abroad and working. Usually the program will run for a summer or semester, but some last as long as 18 months.
Save money before you go so you can cover the fees. Rest assured that you will soon make the money to pay it all back! The following organizations are best to help you find work abroad through an exchange program:
AIESEC-A entirely student-run, non-profit, AIESEC provides paid internships in 87 countries in business, economics, international affairs, and some engineering disciplines. AIESEC sit he world's largest student-run exchange program. The overall aim is to promote international and cultural understanding through the student work exchanging program.
Website: www.aiesec.org
American Scandinavian Foundation (ASF)-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).
Email: info@amscan.org Phone: (212) 879-9779
Website: www.amscan.org
BUNAC- 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.
Email: enquiries@bunacusa.org
Phone: (203) 264-0901 or 1-800-GO-BUNAC
Website: www.bunac.org
Center for Interim Programs- The Center for Interim Programs, LLC offers individuals of all ages and backgrounds the opportunity to explore different areas of interest via a personally tailored, experience-based format. Since its inception as the first organization of its kind in the United States, INTERIM has designed creative "time on" for over 3,500 young people between the ages of 15 and 70, and has created an ever-growing database of over 4,000 options worldwide.
Website: www.interimprograms.com
Congress-Bundestag Program (CDS)-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.
Email: infor@cdsintl.org Phone: (212) 497-3500
Website: www.cdsintl.org
CIEE Work Abroad- 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).
Website: http://www.ciee.org/
French Cultural Service-This service distributes a free guide about employment in France for students, including work regulations, job possibilities and additional references.
Phone: (212) 439-1400
Website: www.frenchculture.org
Interexchange-Offers a range of overseas work placements, from au pair positions to agricultural work (professional or unskilled) and teaching English.
Phone: (212) 924-0446
Email: Info@interexchange.org
Website: www.interexchange.org
International Cooperative Education Program (ICEP) - 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.
website: http://www.icemenlo.com/index.shtml
Teaching English Abroad
For any seeking long-term paid positions abroad, look no further than the opportunity to teach English abroad. English teachers are needed in nearly every country, especially outside of Western Europe. Some organizations that focus on teaching positions for English speakers are below, and many resources are listed on the US Department of State's website for the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Exchange.
AEON-The AEON Corporation of Japan is dedicated to the development of English language education in Japan. It is our goal always to provide our students with the best education possible and to enable Japanese speakers to understand and communicate in English.
Website: www.aeonet.com
Central European Teaching Program- CETP is a teacher recruitment organization. The Central European Teaching Program is currently the single largest provider of English teachers to Hungarian public schools in the world.
Website: http://www.cetp.info/
Fulbright English Teaching Assistantships- Fulbright offers one-year positions in a number of countries. Strong preference is given to those who intend to be future teachers, and applicants should have a flexible add-on project in mind. Application deadline is in mid-September the year before the position starts.
Website: http://us.fulbrightonline.org/thinking_teaching.html
GEOS Language Corporation- Teaching English in Japan with GEOS is an opportunity of a lifetime! GEOS provides - or arranges for - everything you need to be comfortable and confident during your stay in Japan. With strong potential for professional advancement, these entry-level positions are excellent stepping stones to a wide range of international careers within our organization worldwide.
Website: http://www.geoscareer.com/
JET Program-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.
Phone: (202) 238-6772 or 1-800-INFO-JET
Website: http://www.jetprogramme.org/
Western Washington University, China Teaching- They place foreign teachers at various schools and universities throughout the People's Republic of China and provide pre-departure orientation through Western Washington University.
Website: http://www.andersonuniversity.edu/
World Teach, Harvard Institute- WorldTeach is a non-profit, non-governmental organization based at the Center for International Development at Harvard University which provides opportunities for individuals to make a meaningful contribution to international education by living and working as volunteer teachers in developing countries.
Website: www.worldteach.org
More English teaching opportunities:
Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages Inc. www.tesol.org
British Council http://www.britishcouncil.org/learning-elt-teach-english.htm
Transitions Abroad http://www.transitionsabroad.com/listings/work/esl/bestwebsites.shtml
Office of English Language Programs, US Department of State http://exchanges.state.gov/englishteaching/index.html
Peace Corps http://www.peacecorps.gov/
International Career Fairs
International job/career fairs are another great way of finding opportunities to work abroad. Employers focused on diversifying their employee makeup will be looking for students just like you. Some are specific to skills and educational backgrounds, while others are just looking for students that have a hunger for travel.
Forum USA-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.
Boston, Chicago, San Francisco
Email: forumusa@ambafrance-us.org
Website: www.forumusa.org
Disco International Career Forum- 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.|
Email: cr@discointer.com
Website: 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.
Other Opportunities
American Friends Service Committee- The American Friends Service Committee carries out service, development, social justice, and peace programs throughout the world. Founded by Quakers in 1917 to provide conscientious objectors with an opportunity to aid civilian war victims, AFSC's work attracts the support and partnership of people of many races, religions, and cultures.
Website: http://www.afsc.org/
Amigos de las Americas- Amigos de las Américas (AMIGOS) creates opportunities for young people to excel in leadership roles promoting public health, education and community development.
Website: www.amigoslink.org
CEP (Civic Education Project)- The Civic Education Project (CEP), an international non-profit organization, has supported grassroots efforts to reform higher education in Central and Eastern Europe and Eurasia since 1991. Centered on the belief that democracy requires critically minded and informed individuals, CEP's network of scholars touches hundreds of students, faculty, and broader communities in the areas in which they teach.
Website: www.cep.org.hu
Foundation for a Civil Society- FCS works to foster free and pluralistic societies in countries emerging from a history of political authoritarianism, social oppression, and civil strife. FCS helps people face the legacies of the past, embrace reconciliation and peace, and develop flourishing civil society institutions - such as non-governmental organizations and civil associations - in order to determine their own and their country's future.
Website: www.fcsny.org
Mennonite Central Committee- Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) is a relief, service, and peace agency of the North American Mennonite and Brethren in Christ churches.
Website: www.mcc.org