How to offer an International Experiential Learning Opportunity

to every student

Lois BrunetCoordinator, International Experiential EducationCollege of Engineering, Northeastern University

November 2013

Who we are➥Founded in 1898 in Boston

➥Private Co-op School

➥A global, experiential, research university built on a tradition of engagement with the world.

➥ Joseph Aoun, president since 2006, has put the focus on global: an international experience for every student.

Who we are, by the numbers

➥5 year/3 co-op model

➥Always 6 months

All Colleges Engineering

Undergraduate 16,385 3,000

Graduate 4,202 800

Undergrads on co-op 7,239 1,621

Resources for International Co-op

International Co-op Office, established in 2007➥Over 580 International Co-ops in 70 countries last year

Services provided➥ Job development for all colleges➥ Student advising➥ Full time visa specialist ➥ Presidential Global Scholarship➥ Pre-departure and reintegration orientations➥ 24 hour hotline

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Strong results, but…

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➥ Knowledge of engineering➥ Student appetite➥ Pay rates

Total Co-ops in 2012-2013

TotalInternational

Co-ops

Percent International

Co-ops

All Colleges 7968 583 7.3%

Business 1621 255 14.2%

Engineering 1796 23 1.4%

why so few in COE?

Organizational change at COEHave a dedicated resource in house for international

➥ Build student appetite➥ Build a range of opportunities➥ Collaborate with domestic coordinators

Functions to remain centralized➥ Full time visa specialist ➥ Scholarship administration➥ Pre-departure and reintegration orientations➥ 24 hour hotline

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Student Appetite for InternationalIntro to Co-op class module – make it relevant

➥What is Global Competency➥What is Cultural Intelligence➥ Range of opportunities, what is right for me?➥ Employer panel

Student to student communication➥ International Co-op Fair➥ Student panel presence➥ Ambassadors – Street Team➥ Postcard book

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Range of opportunities

➥7 to 10 day Service Learning Trips

➥4 to 6 week faculty led Dialogue of Civilizations

➥4 month Study Abroad

➥6 month International Co-op

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Service Learning➥Existing possibilities – 2 models

– Alternate Spring Break

– Engineers Without Borders

➥Create new COE Alternate Spring Break options– Engineering related

– Service vs. Learning ?

➥Encourage faculty led within a class– Work on an engineering project during the semester

– Travel to implement

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Study Abroad

➥Traditional Study Abroad

➥Dialogue of Civilization➥Coupled with a 4 month co-op

➥For job development

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Job Development➥What has worked– Alums and families– Small companies abroad who want cultural

diversity– Large firms focusing on international pipeline– International opportunities with domestic

partners– Students making connections

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Job Development, cont’

Other areas of opportunity– Leveraging faculty connections– Leveraging existing connections with other Colleges– Converting student developed co-ops – NGO’s, non-profits in the developing world

Challenges– Economy– Decision making timelines– Competition – Regulations around internships

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Thoughts, questions, comments…?

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