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
4
Strong results, but…
5
➥ 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
6
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
7
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
8
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
9
Study Abroad
➥Traditional Study Abroad
➥Dialogue of Civilization➥Coupled with a 4 month co-op
➥For job development
10
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
11
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
12
Thoughts, questions, comments…?
13