International Study


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Go Abroad in Engineering! Have you thought about studying abroad, but thought you couldn’t as an engineering student? It is possible. And it doesn’t have to add an extra year to your degree. Oregon State offers numerous programs abroad for engineering students. It’s more than just a term, a semester or a year living in another country. It is personal, academic and professional development.
Why Study Abroad? Engineering is an increasingly global profession. An international experience can provide you with necessary skills to work effectively with people from around the world and give you the opportunity to gain an international perspective of engineering. Employers in engineering, academia, non-profits, local, state, federal and international agencies value the skills and experiences gained by students who go abroad. A student has two options to go abroad, as well as the opportunity to earn a second bachelor’s degree. The first option is to study abroad at a foreign university. This is the type of experience most people think of when studying abroad. We send students to universities around the world every year, usually on an exchange basis to universities we have partnered with. The second option is to do an international internship through IE3. These internships allow students to gain work experience, and academic credit as well as valuable inter-cultural skills. There are a very limited number of internships available in engineering. If a student is considering attending medical school after graduation then this program provides invaluable experience. The International Degree allows you to earn two degrees: a bachelor's degree in your engineering discipline, plus a Bachelor of Arts in the International Study of your engineering discipline. The International Degree is a great option for students who want to develop their foreign language skills. This is a winning combination given the global nature of most engineering firms today.
	Funding & Scholarships Study Abroad Programs Available By Major Frequently Asked Questions Other Resources Contact Program Advisor Returning Student Survey

	Student Testimonials
		Kelsea Schwing, Environmental Engineering, New Zealand	Nikhil Prem, Chemical Engineering, Spain
		Ashley Payne, Civil Engineering, England	July Thompson, Electrical Engineering, Ecuador
		Keely Heintz, Biological Engineering, Denmark	Erika McQuillen, Civil Engineering, England
		Andrew Quiel, Electrical Engineering, Japan
	Engineering involves an extremely structured set of courses, but with careful planning, there is an international experience that will work for every engineering student. If you plan on studying abroad as an Engineering student, early planning is essential to matching courses abroad to the structured curriculum here at Oregon State. It is never too early to start planning. Freshmen who are interested in studying abroad should schedule an appointment with the Engineering International Programs Advisor to create an academic plan even if they don’t plan to go abroad until their 3rd, 4th, or 5th years. Schedule an appointment today!

Kelsea Schwing, Environmental Engineering, New Zealand

"Studying abroad at the University of Auckland, New Zealand, broadened my educational experience and strengthened my independence and confidence as an individual."

Nikhil Prem, Chemical Engineering, Spain

“Studying abroad definitely adds some spice to the undergraduate engineering experience. I feel it has been one of the most significant attributes to my undergraduate career and personal growth during the last few years.”

Ashley Payne, Civil Engineering, England

“The amount of growth and maturing that happens when you study abroad is amazing. When I left for England I was still in many ways a teenager. I came back a much more mature, responsible adult. Being six thousand miles from my friends and family created a level of self reliance I would have never been able to develop if I’d stayed in Oregon.”

July Thompson, Electrical Engineering, Ecuador

“My future employer could see that I am flexible and willing to try new things because of my study abroad experience. My one tip to students, who are going to study abroad, would be to go with the flow. It is so important, when someone goes to another country, for the person to be flexible because a lot of the time things will not go the way that they expect them to and the only way to deal with it is to go with the flow.”

Keely Heintz, Biological Engineering, Denmark

“Studying abroad in Denmark was easily the highlight of my college career. Considering all that I learned, all the friends I made, and all the amazing experiences, I’d do it again in a heartbeat!”

Amanda Grill, Chemical Engineering, Denmark

“Spending a year at DTU was one of the best decisions I have ever made. I experienced something new and exciting every day, and met people from all over the world! It was an adventure not to be missed.”

Erika McQuillen, Civil Engineering, England

“My professors in England were amazing. They were very welcoming and I enjoyed taking classes that I would have never considered taking at Oregon State. The classes I took in England for my degree correlated perfectly with what I would have taken at OSU, so I wasn’t behind when I got back. While I was in England I had a great schedule. I only had class 3-4 days a week and could spend the rest of the time taking weekend trips to different parts of Europe, day trips around England, or exploring the area around the University.”

Andrew Quiel, Electrical Engineering, Japan

“This was an experience to remember, one that has changed my life forever and opened my eyes to the world. Being with the host family was a experience of ups and downs. For the most part we didn't see each other much and were really busy. But it gave me a really good chance to speak Japanese in a sense of necessity. But I got most of my experience with the Japanese through the school clubs and friends I would meet in class. The most eye opening part of the experience was just being in such a big city and seeing how the people live. It was quite different from anything I had seen in the past. The way these people would live in their own little bubble and didn't say much to each other yet after you got to know them were some of the kindest people you will ever know.”