Engineers, just like their employers, are operating worldwide. Most engineers who work for a global company will find themselves interacting across borders with colleagues from diverse backgrounds.
In order to help students gain an international perspective early on, the College of Engineering has developed a number of international programs. Below are some examples of our education abroad programs, but to see up-to-date lists of providers, programs worldwide, and general study abroad options, please check out the Education Abroad and Exchanges website http://international.uky.edu/ea
To start planning your education abroad experience, you just need to follow three simple steps:
After completing those three steps, meet with your Education Abroad Advisor to set your plans to action!
Partner: Study Center in Paris – Summer (CEA CAPA)
Set yourself apart from the competition by taking engineering courses abroad. Paris is an ideal destination for engineering majors, a city where many scientists and mathematicians have made significant contributions to the field. You’ll experience Paris as a learning lab through site visits and lectures which complement your classroom curriculum. Additional elective courses focus on aspects of French culture. Take 1-2 Engineering courses, or 1 Engineering course and 1 elective course during this 6-week program in Paris, France.
Partner: Study Center in Prague – Summer (CEA CAPA)
With a reputation as one of the most beautiful cities in the world, you’ll study engineering and math amidst the backdrop of centuries-old bridges, cathedrals, and church spires. Prague is also home to a rich modern culture filled with public art and whimsical architecture, and an inspiring intellectual community. You'll have many opportunities to apply concepts learned in class to real-life examples in this historic city. Take 1 Engineering course, 2 Engineering courses, or 1 Engineering course and 1 elective course on the 8-week summer program in Prague, Czech Republic.
Direct: Maynooth University Engineering & Computer Science Summer School
The Maynooth University Engineering & Computer Science summer school gives you the chance to earn credit and enjoy classes with experienced and enthusiastic instructors while also experiencing life in an Irish town located in the Celtic heart of Europe. The program not only offers a wide range of courses all taught in English, and guaranteed on-campus accommodation, but also a high level of support from the on-site International Office. With the Irish capital Dublin nearby and miles of beautiful countryside and coastline to explore, Maynooth University is the perfect location for students wanting a summer education abroad experience in Europe in a country with a very distinct identity but also one that doesn't feel too different from home.
Direct: Nagoya University - Automobile Engineering Program - Summer
Join NUSIP for six weeks and experience the full range of Japanese cultural life. Course-related excursions will provide you with an opportunity to discover Japanese culture and engineering. The program consists of seminars on the latest technology and tasks in Automobile engineering, an elementary Japanese language course and trips to an automobile industry factory and laboratory. The cost for this program is $1600, excluding airfare and meals. Housing, public transportation pass, social activities, course fees and excursions are included in the program fee. The application deadline is February 15 for the following summer.
Another option for undergraduates and graduate student to gain research experience in Germany is the German Academic Exchange Service’s (DAAD’s) Research in Science and Engineering Program (RISE), which funds about 300 students a year to join Ph.D. candidates in Germany to help them with their dissertation research (www.daad.de/rise). The application deadline for RISE is in January for the following summer.
UK students interested in doing research abroad should use the Education Abroad and Exchanges program search to see credit-bearing opportunities for research abroad. Any research pursued outside of this program search will need to be tied to independent study credit and/or co-op experience in the College of Engineering. Please speak with the UK EA Advisor for Engineering students for more details: https://international.uky.edu/ea/meet-ukea-advisors.
Some of our engineering students find internships abroad with engineering companies through Cultural Vistas and their IAESTE program, a non-profit organization working to expand work abroad opportunities for college students. Please also check out Goin’ Global, where you can do a search for internships and full time positions by country and which is available to all UK students through UK’s job system, Handshake Career Management System.
UK students interested in doing an internship abroad should use the Education Abroad and Exchanges program search to see credit-bearing opportunities for internships abroad. Any internship pursued outside of this program search will need to be tied to independent study credit and/or co-op experience in the College of Engineering. Please speak with the UK EA Advisor for Engineering students for more details: https://international.uky.edu/ea/meet-ukea-advisors.
The exchange programs listed below are exclusive to students in the College of Engineering. UK Education Abroad and Exchanges has several other exchange programs open to students from all UK colleges. The Education Abroad Office also offers a large number of other (non-exchange) programs for semester and yearlong opportunities abroad. So if the options on this list do not meet your academic needs, reach out the UK EA Advisor for Engineering students for details on other program options: https://international.uky.edu/ea/meet-ukea-advisors.
With over 34,000 students, seven schools and more than 120 study programs, TU Berlin (TUB) is one of the largest Universities of Technology in Germany and offers a wide range of subjects.
TU Berlin is also a member of the TU 9 Consortium of German Institutes of Technology, a group of nine traditional German universities with an excellent reputation in the fields of engineering, technology and natural sciences.
Take all your classes in English. No German language requirement: https://ea.uky.edu/index.cfm?FuseAction=Programs.ViewProgramAngular&id=13494
Students who are admitted into the BS/MBA Dual Degree Program at UK participate in a two-week international study in Europe immediately following the completion of their MBA. Students go as a group, participate in business meetings with company executives from a variety of industries, and are immersed in the culture with English-speaking guided tours. Trips have included travel to Spain, Austria, England, France, Germany and the Czech Republic.
To find out more about admission into the BS/MBA program, please contact Ms. Kim Sayre, Director of the BS/MBA program, at kim.sayre@uky.edu or by phone at 859-257-3343.
More information is also available at the BS/MBA web site.
The purpose of this internship is to provide the trainee with the opportunity to practically apply current theoretical knowledge and to develop new skills and knowledge. The activities will expose the trainees to current research issues and provide them with invaluable experience in understanding future trends and issues. For more information please contact Dr. Nick Stamatiadis: nick.stamatiadis@uky.edu
The college is home to a very active chapter of Engineers Without Borders, which supports community-driven development programs worldwide by collaborating with local partners to design and implement sustainable engineering projects while creating transformative experiences and responsible leaders. EWB-UKY was started in fall 2008 and has since completed a road project in Nkuv, Cameroon. They are currently working with the community of El Carrizo, Honduras to develop a water distribution system. If you would like to find out more, or get involved, please visit our site (ewb.engr.uky.edu), contact EWB at ewb.uky@gmail.com or join the Engineers Without Borders – University of Kentucky group on Facebook for information on upcoming meeting times and locations.
All undergraduate and graduate students receiving funding or assistance from the college for non-credit trips abroad (e.g., conference attendances or presentations, research projects, etc.) must register their travel through the UK International Center prior to departure, and be covered under UK’s international medical insurance and evacuation policy. Please contact Jason Hope in the UK International Center’s office of International Health, Safety & Security with questions about this requirement.
The UK International Center’s Education Abroad office handles all for-credit study and work-abroad program registrations. If you are interested in studying abroad, please view their extensive program catalog and/or contact the UK EA Advisor for the College of Engineering: https://international.uky.edu/ea/meet-ukea-advisors. All non-credit international travel funded or facilitated by the college must be registered through the Office of International Health, Safety & Security.
To view all program offerings for study, intern, research, teach, and service abroad, check out the Education Abroad and Exchanges website: https://international.uky.edu/ea.
Additional Programs Available
Education Abroad and Exchanges offers many more programs that offer academic credit geared towards engineering or other areas of study. Visit the Education Abroad website to view more programs that may fit your minor, certificates, UK Core, or other areas of interest.
