Work abroad

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Work abroad is the term used when a student teaches, interns, or volunteers in a foreign country through a programme. Students gain work experience while being immersed in a foreign work environment, though the position may be paid or unpaid. Dependent upon the programme, a student working abroad may live in a dormitory or apartment with other students or with a "host family", a group of people who live in that country and agree to provide student lodging.

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While work abroad programmes are often grouped with study abroad programmes, in the past decade, there has been a distinction between the two, particularly in the benefits of each.

There are also some programs for employees because international experience brings a lot of benefits and opportunities for personal and business growth. Fostering networking and collaboration among all employees as well as knowledge and experience sharing have positive impact also on employer branding.

History

The oldest programme listed in the Institution of International Education's (IIE) education abroad guides is one for teaching abroad, Princeton-in-Asia, founded in 1898. Reciprocal work-exchange programs were founded after World War II in hopes of fostering peace, including the Fulbright scholarship and teaching programs (1946) along with the International Association of Students in Economic and Business Management (AIESEC) and the International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience (IAESTE) (both in 1948). In 1950, AIPT [1] was created. In the 1969, the Peace Corps, BUNAC, CDS International [2] and the Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE) were created. There has been a steady upward trend of students going abroad. During the past few years, the number of companies offering internships abroad (particularly adapted to students) has skyrocketed. Some platforms such as Stamps Internships [3] propose a bank of internship offers abroad, while other companies like Bright Internships [4] focus on helping each student individually find an internship in another country. [5] This trend is also visible in volunteer work and picking up internships abroad.

Work abroad versus study abroad

There are many similarities between working and studying abroad, particularly in the benefits: language immersion, wanderlust, and learning about the world around them. However, students in certain disciplines, such as engineering and architecture, in which practical, hands-on experience can add to the academic structure of a study abroad programme.

Statistics on working abroad are not well documented. This is most likely because students are enrolled in their own university when participating in a study exchange programme, and many universities do not host work abroad programmes.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Erasmus Programme</span> Student exchange program

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience</span>

The International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience commonly referred to as IAESTE is an international organization exchanging students for technical work experience abroad. Students gain relevant technical training lasting from 4 weeks to 52 weeks. IAESTE includes committees representing more than 80 countries, with the potential of accepting new countries into the organization every year. At the general conference 2005 held in Cartagena, Colombia, the statute and by-laws of IAESTE a.s.b.l. were established, making IAESTE a registered "associacion sans but lucratif", with the centre in Luxembourg. The current President is Thomas Faltner from Austria. IAESTE's motto is "Work, Experience, Discover". IAESTE's aims are to connect students with employers in foreign countries, provide university students with technical experience and culturally enrich students and their host communities.

Studying abroad in the United States is the act of a student pursuing educational opportunities in the United States. This can include primary, secondary and post-secondary students. Studying abroad is determined in the United States by political rationales of national security and foreign policy. The number of students studying abroad represents only about 1% of all students enrolled at institutions of higher education in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Experiment in International Living</span> Voluntary association

The Experiment in International Living, or The Experiment, is a worldwide program offering homestays, language, arts, community service, ecological adventure, culinary, and regional and cultural exploration programs of international cross-cultural education for high school students. It is administered by World Learning, a non-profit, international development and education organization based in Brattleboro, Vermont, in the United States.

NAFSA: Association of International Educators is a non-profit professional organization for professionals in all areas of international education including education abroad advising and administration, international student advising, campus internationalization, admissions, outreach, overseas advising, and English as a Second Language (ESL) administration. As of 2010, it served approximately 10,000 educators worldwide, representing nearly 3,000 higher education institutions.

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EduCARE India stands for 'Education & Community Applied Research Establishment in India', a community development institutional organisation that has been working with local communities and young talented students from higher education institutions / universities such as Panjab University, Chandigarh and Central University of Himachal Pradesh and other international universities to conduct community based education and applied research, organisation of seminars, conferences, exhibitions and an international internship and exchange program along with AIESEC

<span class="mw-page-title-main">World Learning</span> International nonprofit organization

World Learning is a 501(c)(3) international nonprofit organization that focuses on international development, education, and exchange programs. Based in Brattleboro, Vermont, World Learning "unlocks the potential of people to address critical global issues" through its core program areas: The Experiment in International Living, the School for International Training, and International Development and Exchange Programs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cultural Vistas</span> U.S. nonprofit organization

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The School for International Training, widely known by its initials SIT, is a private non-profit regionally-accredited institution headquartered in Brattleboro, Vermont, United States. The institution has two main divisions. SIT Graduate Institute administers a wide range of internationally-focused master's degree programs as well as a Doctor of Education degree in Global Education. SIT Study Abroad administers undergraduate study abroad programs which combine field-based experiential learning with academic research or internship opportunities.

Manipal University Jaipur (MUJ) is a co-educational, residential, private research university located in the city of Jaipur in Rajasthan, India. It is the fifth university established by Manipal Global Education Services. Courses and programs offered by the university are in the fields of Engineering, Architecture, Interior Design, Fashion Design, Fine Arts, Hospitality, Humanities, Journalism and Mass Communication, Basic Sciences, Law, Commerce, Computer Applications, and Management

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CRCC Asia was founded in 2006 to give students and young professionals work experience in dynamic intercultural settings, increasing professional development and global understanding, and fostering business relations between China and the rest of the world.

William L. Gertz is the Chairman, President and CEO of the American Institute For Foreign Study (AIFS), a cultural exchange and educational travel company with 10 global locations, headquartered in Stamford, CT.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BUNAC</span>

BUNAC is an organisation that enables people to explore the world through work abroad and travel programmes. After starting as a not-for-profit members Club, it was taken over by Bunac Travel Services Ltd which was acquired by STA Travel in 2011. The 'BUNAC' brand and all associated work and volunteer abroad programme brand names are now owned by STA Travel. Previously, the company was owned by the non-profit British Universities North America Club in order to provide work and volunteer programmes for their members. Due to this, the term 'BUNAC' now refers exclusively to STA Travel owned products, and not the non-profit Club.

References

  1. AIPT
  2. CDS International, Inc
  3. Stamps Internships
  4. Bright Internships
  5. "NAFSA - WIVA: Work Abroad and International Careers". www.nafsa.org. Archived from the original on 2007-12-21.