work abroad program
Links to additional Work Abroad Information:
Frequently Asked Questions | International Experiences | Recommended Sites | Work Abroad Agencies
Can you see yourself working in Germany,
Italy, Hong Kong, or other locations around the world? If
so, then consider the RIT Work Abroad Program. Please complete
the Work Abroad Student
Questionnaire to express your interest! Check Job Zone, accessed from our website's student page, for current work abroad openings. Use "work abroad" in Keyword Search. Going Global is an excellent website for information regarding International Job Search -- to access, login to RIT Job Zone.
What benefits are there
to working abroad?
• The best preparation for living and working in a global
economy
• Obtain co-op/internship credit for your work
• Gain valuable work experience and develop new skills
• Understand global issues by experiencing them first-hand
• Expand your cultural horizons
• Develop your foreign language skills
• Make new friends and expand your professional network
How
can I best prepare?
• Start thinking about the countries you might wish
to work in
and when you’d like to work abroad
• Determine what kind of work you would like to do
• Take language courses appropriate to your target country/region
• Make sure your passport is up-to-date
• Start early and invest the time working with our office
to find the
right assignment to meet your needs
How
do I get started?
• Review the Work Abroad Program Handbook
• Attend a “Getting Started on Work Abroad”
workshop
• Compete a Work
Abroad Student Questionnaire
• Meet with the Work Abroad
staff in Co-op and Career Services
Your Key Contacts
Your contacts in our office responsible for developing our
Work Abroad program are Maria Richart mjroce@rit.edu and Louise Carrese ltcoce@rit.edu -- if you have any questions about working overseas they
would be happy to assist you!
Cost
The cost of working
overseas will vary depending on your destination. If you
decide to use one of the organized
programs, work permits and service fees may be included.
Keep in mind that most of these work abroad programs do
not include plane fare, or room and board. Some overseas
jobs may pay you enough to cover your living expenses, but
do plan on taking enough money with you to cover other expenses.
There is No Financial Aid offered to RIT students who decide
to work abroad.
Travel
Advisory
The U.S. Department of State website will allow you
to check the status of a country’s travel
advisory, as well as important tips
and information for students. You can also find additional
information about a country from the U.S.
Embassy and Consulate.
Currency
We do not recommend you travel with US dollars. Travel
with Traveler’s checks. If they are lost or stolen they
can be replaced, and they are accepted in many countries.
Have local currency with you when you arrive in that country,
so you can pay for transportation and other expenses. Credit
cards like Visa, Master Card and American Express are widely
accepted around the world. Your ATM debit card might work
overseas as well, but check with your financial institution
before leaving the US. For information on currency conversion
visit http://www.xe.com/ucc.
Language
and Culture
Speaking the native language is not always a requirement
for working overseas, therefore check with the company that
you are targeting. Be aware that you are entering a new country
and a new culture. Find out as much information as you can about the country you are visiting
including language, cultural do’s and don’t, economic
problems, and national attraction. Talk to other students
and family members who have traveled to these countries. You
can also visit the International Student Support Services to find out if
we have any current students attending RIT from that country.
This is a great way to gain first hand knowledge about your
destination.
Travel
Documents
Prepare for the unexpected! One of the obstacles
that you will probably encounter in preparing for an international
work experience is the documentation.
Passport – If you don’t already have one, apply for a passport. The cost for a new passport is $85 and it typically takes about 6 weeks to arrive. If you’re in a hurry, you can pay an additional $60 and the cost of overnight delivery to receive the passport within 2 weeks.
Visas/Permits – All countries require special permission for foreigners to work in their countries. For co-op students, Visas are fairly easy to obtain. If you’re looking for full time employment, a Work Permit Visa is usually available only through application by the employer offering you the position. When filling out the application, they must prove that you have unique skills or abilities not possessed by local citizens.
For additional information regarding passports, visas, immunizations and testing, and additional fees, visit the U.S. Department of State site.
Housing
When working overseas,
housing is usually the responsibility of the student or individual
looking for a job. Available accommodations will vary by country
and specific locality. There are certain organizations that
specialize in providing housing, for a cost, to a student
on internship or co-op assignment. Below are links to some
of these organizations as well as general search sites.
www.rent.net – Online
database of apartment rentals for U.S., Canada and other countries.
www.iaeste.org/faq/stud_6.html -- They will also arrange accommodation, and in most cases,
www.liveabroad.com – Resources for overseas living, geared towards full
time work assignments.
Be sure to visit our Job
Search Web Sites page for even more links related to working
abroad.