Work abroad
Encyclopedia
Work abroad is the term used for when a student
interns, volunteers, or teachers in a foreign country through a program. Students gain work experience while being immersed in a foreign work environment, though the position may be paid or unpaid. Dependent upon the program, 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.
While work abroad programs are often grouped with study abroad programs, in the past decade, there has been a distinction between the two, particularly in the benefits of each.
) and the International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience (IAESTE
) (both in 1948). In 1950, AIPT was created. In the 1960s, the Peace Corps
, BUNAC
, CDS International and the Council on International Educational Exchange
(CIEE) were created. There has been a steady upward trend of students going abroad. http://www.nafsa.org/knowledge_community_network.sec/education_abroad_1/education_abroad_2/practice_resources_12/getting_started/work_abroad_and_international
, 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 program.
Statistics on working abroad is not well documented. This is most likely because students are enrolled in their own university when participating in a study exchange program, and many universities do not host work abroad programs.
Student
A student is a learner, or someone who attends an educational institution. In some nations, the English term is reserved for those who attend university, while a schoolchild under the age of eighteen is called a pupil in English...
interns, volunteers, or teachers in a foreign country through a program. Students gain work experience while being immersed in a foreign work environment, though the position may be paid or unpaid. Dependent upon the program, a student working abroad may live in a dormitory
Dormitory
A dormitory, often shortened to dorm, in the United States is a residence hall consisting of sleeping quarters or entire buildings primarily providing sleeping and residential quarters for large numbers of people, often boarding school, college or university students...
or apartment
Apartment
An apartment or flat is a self-contained housing unit that occupies only part of a building...
with other students or with a "host family", a group of people who live in that country and agree to provide student lodging.
While work abroad programs are often grouped with study abroad programs, in the past decade, there has been a distinction between the two, particularly in the benefits of each.
History
The oldest program 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 (AIESECAIESEC
AIESEC is a global youth organisation that develops leadership capabilities through their internal leadership programmes and engaging students and graduates in international student exchange and internship programmes for profit and non-profit organisations. Its international office is in...
) and the International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience (IAESTE
IAESTE
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 18 months...
) (both in 1948). In 1950, AIPT was created. In the 1960s, the Peace Corps
Peace Corps
The Peace Corps is an American volunteer program run by the United States Government, as well as a government agency of the same name. The mission of the Peace Corps includes three goals: providing technical assistance, helping people outside the United States to understand US culture, and helping...
, BUNAC
BUNAC
The British Universities North America Club is an organisation, the objectives of which are:BUNAC now also works towards the same objectives in countries other than those mentioned above. Where frameworks are already in existence to permit work exchanges between countries, BUNAC aims to increase...
, CDS International and the Council on International Educational Exchange
Council on International Educational Exchange
Council on International Educational Exchange is a non-profit organization promoting international education and exchange. It was founded in 1947 and is based in USA....
(CIEE) were created. There has been a steady upward trend of students going abroad. http://www.nafsa.org/knowledge_community_network.sec/education_abroad_1/education_abroad_2/practice_resources_12/getting_started/work_abroad_and_international
Work abroad versus study abroad
There are many similarities between working and studying abroad, particularly in the benefits: language immersion, wanderlustWanderlust
Wanderlust is a strong desire for or impulse to wander or travel and explore the world.-Etymology:The loanword from German language became an English term in 1902 as a reflection of what was then seen as a characteristically German predilection for wandering that may be traced back to German...
, 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 program.
Statistics on working abroad is not well documented. This is most likely because students are enrolled in their own university when participating in a study exchange program, and many universities do not host work abroad programs.