International Experience

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International Experience

Report your Experience

Co-op Work report

Travel Grant Application

International Experience allows RIT students to work abroad in different countries, cities, and cultures. Our students grow personally and professionally as they experience work in their field of study, adapt to a different work environment, and gain perspective on living in an unfamiliar city.

Make the first step to taking your co-op abroad with this introduction on Career Service’s International Experience. Learn where you can travel around the world through our trusted partners and what steps you should consider before taking on the adventure!

A map with pins in it and the text "Get Experience Abroad" in the bottom left.

Benefits

Receiving a different type of work experience has its benefits.

  • Obtain co-op credit for your work experience
  • 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
  • Expand your professional network
  • Stand out to future employers through the interview and selection process

Explore by Country

The RIT Argentina Internship offers two options in Buenos Aires or Cordoba: A two-week Spanish language course followed by a 10-week internship in your field of study, or a four- to 12-week Spanish language course.

Apply through

From the city of Melbourne to the Great Barrier Reef in Cairns, go “down under” to work hard at your internship and play hard at the beach.

Apply through

Living up to 12 months in our neighbor to the North will gain you international working experience and travel like no other.

Apply through

Experience a 10- to 12-week summer internship in the booming center of Santiago, Chile.

Apply through

No knowledge of Mandarin? No problem. RIT students have the opportunity to work full-time internships with companies of all sizes in China.

Apply through

Intern full-time in the City of Lights. Paris, France, offers RIT students great cuisine, beauty, and work experience.

Apply through

Experience German life and culture firsthand through internships with companies big and small.

Apply through

From a two-week intensive course on Entrepreneurship in Dublin to a three-month internship in Cork, Ireland has endless opportunities for you.

Apply through

Whether you’re working in the city of Florence or joining other RIT students in Genova, we promise that your internship will be a memorable one.

Apply through

A Door to Italy Internship Program

A Door to Italy Internship program provides RIT students with unpaid internships in Genova, Italy. Students can obtain a 4-, 8-, or 12-week unpaid internship. No prior Italian language is required. View the program timeline.

Internship Programs

Art and design, business, communication, information technology and computer science, international hospitality and service management, photography, museum studies, physician assistant, film and animation, political science, international and global studies.

Package Includes:

  • Pre-departure orientation
  • Airport pick up
  • In-country orientation upon arrival
  • Italian language course available at all levels
  • On-site program coordinator and lodgings

Apply

 

Atlantis Project

The Atlantis Fellowship Program offers pre-health/pre-med students short-term hospital internships in Italy. Atlantis Fellows intern at public hospitals, learn about the European healthcare system by shadowing health professionals, improve language skills, and give back to the community by teaching English to local residents.

Program Includes:

  • Assigned preceptor
  • 25 hours/week of shadowing in a hospital
  • The opportunity to teach English or provide other community service
  • Participate in a number of excursion activities designed to immerse students in the local culture

Apply to the Atlantis Fellowship

for the Door to Italy Internship Program

No matter the career field, there is an internship with leading companies waiting for you in Tokyo, Japan.

Apply through

Be placed at a large company in the multi-faceted city of Barcelona.

Apply through

Whether you’re passing Big Ben or the Buckingham Palace on your way to work, you will not regret your experience in London.

Apply through

Explore by Partner

A Door to Italy Internship program provides RIT students with unpaid internships in Genova, Italy. Students can obtain a 4, 8, or 12-week unpaid internship. No prior Italian language is required. 

Internship Programs:
Art and design, business, communication, information technology and computer science, international hospitality and service management, photography, museum studies, physician assistant, film and animation, political science, international and global studies.

Package Includes:

  • Pre-departure orientation
  • Airport pick up
  • In-country orientation upon arrival
  • Italian language course available at all levels
  • On-site program coordinator and lodgings

Apply

The Atlantis Fellowship Program offers pre-health/pre-med students short-term hospital internships in Italy. Atlantis Fellows intern at public hospitals, learn about the European healthcare system by shadowing health professionals, improve language skills, and give back to the community by teaching English to local residents.

Program Includes:
  • Assigned preceptor
  • 25 hours/week of shadowing in a hospital
  • The opportunity to teach English or provide other community services
  • Participate in a number of excursion activities designed to immerse students in the local culture

Apply

BUNAC offers RIT students the opportunity to work and travel from all majors. Its program supports work in Britain, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand. Learn more about BUNAC

CIS Abroad offers RIT students the opportunity to work overseas from a month to a year with customized internships. Its program provides innovative internships in Australia, China, UK, France, Ireland, Italy, New Zealand, Spain, and Costa Rica. Learn more about CIS Abroad

Cultural Vista Fellowship Program offers an array of personalized and enriching professional internship and training programs in Argentina, Chile, France, Germany, Spain, and Switzerland. Its program provide customized summer and year-long internship placements tailored to students’ specific skill sets, ambitions, and career aspirations. Learn more about the Cultural Vista Fellowship Program

Global Experiences LLC provides RIT students the opportunity to gain practical unpaid work experience, new foreign language skills, and immersion into a new culture. Experience life as an international intern in Italy, Australia, Spain, France, or the UK. Learn more about Global Experiences LLC

International Exchange of North America (IENA) offers RIT students international opportunities in Australia, Canada, Colombia, and New Zealand. Interns can expect a challenging, once-in-a-lifetime experience of living, working, and traveling overseas. Learn more about the International Exchange of North America

Sage Corps is a global entrepreneurship program that allows RIT students to work abroad at tech start-ups full-time along with a stipend from the company. In addition to the work experience, interns also attend tech conferences, networking events, and connect with the Sage Network, a network of business leaders and program alumni who provide career mentorship and job opportunities. Find opportunities in Bejing, Berlin, Buenos Aires, Dublin, Melbourne, Santiago, and Sydney. Learn more about Sage Corps

The Intern Group’s program in Japan offers internships in Tokyo across all career fields and with a variety of leading companies and organizations. An internship in Japan offers students the chance to gain invaluable professional experience in one of the most influential cities while growing their global network and their resume. Learn more about The Intern Group

Before Experience

Virtual Sessions

Our office hosts Virtual Q&As about our International Experience program through Career Connect. During the live Q&A, you will chat with an International Experience Advisor to answer any questions on our program and next steps. Virtual sessions will start in October 2021.

Application Process

If you’re interested in working abroad, it is recommended to start looking six months before your internship/co-op target date. The process can be long in order to correctly process paperwork.

Review the countries you are interested in and the partners available. Take time to view each program to see which experience fits you best. As every partner has a different application process, you can meet with our team to make sure every step is complete.

Travel Grant Application

RIT students participating in an international co-op, internship, volunteer experience, or fellowship are eligible to apply for the Career Services Travel Grant if the experience will be registered with the Office of Career Services and Cooperative Education.

Application Deadlines:

  • Fall Program: October 31
  • Spring Program: March 31
  • Summer Program: July 31

Apply for the Travel Grant

Documents

Always be prepared for the unexpected when traveling for an international work experience. Have the following documentation prepared before departure:

Passport

If you do not have one, apply for a passport as soon as possible. The cost for a new passport is $140 and will typically take about four-six weeks to arrive. If you’re in a hurry, there are additional fees for expedited services to receive the passport within two weeks.

Visas/Permits

All countries require special permission for foreigners to work in their countries. For co-op students, visas may or may not be required. Check with the hiring company for more information.

For additional information regarding passports, visas, immunizations, and testing, or additional fees, visit the U.S. Department of State site.

Program Costs

Cost varies depending on your destination. Through the work abroad partners, work permits and service fees may be included. No programs include plane fare and very few offer room and board. Some overseas jobs may pay enough to cover living expenses but plan on taking extra spending money to travel and cover living expenses. Financial Aid is not available for students working abroad.

Pre-departure Orientation

Travel Advisory

The U.S. Department of State website will allow you to check the status of a country’s travel advisory and has important tips and information for students. Register your travel abroad plans with the U.S. Department of State prior to your departure through the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP).

Language and Culture

Gain firsthand knowledge about your destination by learning the country’s language, cultural etiquette, and national attractions. Use students on campus from that country or students that have attended a co-op program there as a resource. Speaking the native language is not always a requirement for working overseas, but it is best practice to check with the company that you are targeting.

Currency

Have local currency with you when you arrive in that country to pay for transportation and other expenses. Credit cards like Visa, Master Card and American Express are widely accepted around the world, but it’s best to notify your bank of your travels to prevent false fraud charges and confirm their global reach. Information on currency conversion is available online.

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. The following organizations provide housing, at cost, to a student on internship or co-op assignment.

HousingAnywhere: HousingAnywhere is a housing platform where people can rent out rooms to international students. Find rentable spaces in more than 500 cities worldwide. Learn more about HousingAnywhere 

International Houses Worldwide: An association of International Houses from across the world, students of different nationalities have the opportunity to live and learn together in a community of mutual respect and understanding. Locations: Australia, United Kingdom, and Canada. Learn more about International Houses Worldwide 

International Health Insurance

RIT requires all students studying abroad to have international health insurance. The vast majority of students never have to use it, but it is best to have just in case. Students going abroad on an RIT study abroad program will be provided international health insurance:

RIT Programs (Global Campuses, Faculty-Led, Exchange Programs, RIT International Research)
Students will be covered by RIT's Travel Assistance Provider On Call and will be emailed an insurance card and overview of the policy prior to leaving for your study abroad program (print the card and carry it in your wallet). Instructions on adding the On Call dedicated RIT phone number to your phone contacts will also be provided and you should do this before traveling. On Call may provide assistance for finding local medical providers, coordination of illness/medical issues (including translation services if needed), coverage for medical care, doctor/hospital visits, and emergency evacuation due to accident, illness, or safety reasons.

On Call Insurance Card (only for RIT students going on global campus, faculty-led, exchange, RIT international research)
On Call website - Group ID 100094CPPD18
 
RIT Affiliate Programs*
Students going on affiliate study abroad programs will have international health insurance coverage through your provider. Ask your program provider for details on your insurance coverage.

*A few of RIT's affiliate providers do not provide international health insurance - Budapest Semester in Mathematics, School for Field Studies, Siena School for Liberal Arts, Sea Semester, SRISA. RIT students studying abroad through one of these providers will be covered by RIT's On Call insurance.

Purchasing International Health Insurance
The resources below provide information on purchasing international health insurance if you are not covered under On Call, your affiliate study abroad provider, or just wish to have supplemental insurance. When shopping for international health insurance, costs vary depending on the amount of coverage you want (typically $100,000) and if you want a co-pay.

Emergency Evacuation Insurance

Covers you if you need to be evacuated from a foreign country due to a natural disaster, political unrest, severe illness, or accident.  All RIT global campus, faculty-led, and exchange programs provide you with emergency evacuation coverage through On Call International. Many affiliate study abroad programs also provide coverage as part of their program (ask your affiliate provider).

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is not required but can provide peace of mind when traveling. Policies generally provide coverage due to flight delays, stolen property, unexpected medical expenses, and trip interruption (i.e. if you need to return to the U.S. because you have a death in the family or a sick relative). Always read your policy carefully (especially in terms of trip interruption coverage). There may be specific requirements you need to meet to get costs reimbursed.

www.insuremytrip.com - allows you to compare travel insurance policies

Personal Property Insurance

Consider purchasing a policy if you plan to travel with an expensive computer, phone, photography equipment, etc.
RIT offers an affordable personal property insurance plan through Arthurs J. Gallagher & Co.

Report Your Experience

To receive a “Satisfactory” (S) grade for co-op on your transcript, the following evaluation documents must be completed and returned to the Office of Career Services and Cooperative Education:

Student Co-op Work Report

Students completing a mandatory co-op have to submit a Work Report on their experience for their academic department to review. To get started, select “pending.” Confirm your supervisor’s role and email to successfully complete the report. If your supervisor changes through your program, update their information through the Update co-op supervisor tab.

Get started with your report

Co-op Evaluation

The Office of Career Services and Cooperative Education sends a link to employers with direction to complete a Co-op Evaluation near the end of a student’s co-op term. It is the employer’s responsibility to rate the student’s performance at work, add comments, and submit the form back to the university.

View co-op evaluation(s)

Contact

International Experience
INTLEXP@mail.rit.edu
585-475-2301