Student Global Opportunities
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- DAAD-RISE: Summer Internships in Germany
- International Sustainability Exchange
- Undergrad Abroad Mixer & Spring Send-Off
- Student Ambassador Awards
- Global Engineering Trek (GET)
- Global Exchange Welcome
- Global Initiatives Fair
- Engineering Abroad Documents
- Study Abroad, Exchange, and International Opportunities
- Global Engineering Program
DAAD-RISE Summer Internships in Germany: Student Panel Discussion
Join us for a Panel Discussion with Northwestern DAAD RISE Recipients from summer 2019
DAAD RISE - Research Internships in Science and Engineering (+ Math + Social Science): https://www.daad.de/rise/en
- Students are matched with a host university or institute according to their area of interest (biology, chemistry, physics, earth sciences, math, engineering, or a closely related field)
- DAAD provides students a monthly stipend for three months to help cover living expenses
- German language is not required and the working language will be in English
Registration for ZOOM ID: https://daadrise.eventbrite.com
International Sustainability Exchange
Present your research // Exchange ideas // Earn a certificate
OVERVIEW: University of Hamburg (Germany) and Northwestern University are inviting their students to join two virtual poster sessions to present and discuss their ideas, research, and projects on sustainability. Attendees and presenters will be able to engage with one another seamlessly in an international exchange of ideas. Students will receive a certificate of participation after attending the event and will be awarded a small prize. Space is limited to ten (virtual) posters from each institution, so participation is competitive.
WHO PARTICIPATES: Undergraduate, graduate, and PhD / doctoral students are interested in presenting a poster in one of the two sessions, or joining the virtual chats as guests to browse the ideas, research, and projects presented by other students.
WHEN: There are two opportunities for participation. The virtual events will take place Nov. 10 and 17, 11 AM – 12:30 PM (Central Time, US).
REGISTRATION DEADLINES: Space is limited. Those who wish to present posters must register by Nov. 3. Those wishing to join as a non-presenting attendee must register at least one day before the event.
Questions can be direction to Mike McMahon, mike.mcmahon@northwestern.edu at ISEN.
This opportunity is jointly hosted by Northwestern Engineering's Office of Global Initiatives, Northwestern's Office of International Relations, and the Institute for Sustainability and Energy at Northwestern (ISEN)
Undergrad-Abroad Mixer & Spring Send-Off
Our 5th Annual Undergrad-Abroad Mixer & Spring Send-Off took place on May 8th in Cohen Commons. This was a social event for all McCormick students considering, about to embark on, or returning from an abroad experience. Global Initiatives' mission is to inform our engineering students about the multiple international opportunities available abroad and how to pursue them. This event intends to connect these students who either performed or are interested in performing international research, internship, study and projects abroad.
Student Ambassador Awards
The Global Initiatives office invites undergraduates and BS/MS students with
Apply for a support stipend of up to $1,000 to help offset the travel costs of conducting scientific research, project work, industry internship or summer study abroad. Student Ambassadors will serve the Global Initiatives mission creatively, using their opportunity abroad to inform the general public and/or their research/work community in their host country about Northwestern University, and upon returning, inform fellow McCormick students of their experience abroad. Note only summer Study Abroad programs are eligible for these awards.
Learn more about Student Ambassador experiences
How to Apply
- Fill out an application.
- Provide an NU transcript.
- Write a motivation letter about the importance of this opportunity to your professional development, and explain what tasks you will undertake to serve as a student ambassador to fellow McCormick students upon your return.
- Verify that you have already received the necessary support to conduct the research or industry internship, or acceptance into the program that coordinates the project work.
- Submit your completed application, NU transcript, motivation letter, and verification of current financial support to global.initiatives@northwestern.edu.
Student applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis in the order they are received, but must be submitted at least 5 weeks prior to the start of the quarter abroad.
Global Engineering Trek (GET) for Freshmen
In the fields of sustainability and energy, engineers turn abstract ideas into innovative solutions. With this in mind, McCormick Global Initiatives partnered with the Institute for Sustainability and Energy at Northwestern (ISEN) to create a tech immersion program for freshmen based in Heidelberg, Germany.
Prior to their sophomore Fall Quarter in 2017, students traveled to "Technologiepark," a technology incubator for startup companies working on the general theme of sustainability and energy. In addition to visiting companies and research universities in Heidelberg, Stuttgart, and Frankfurt, participants gained exposure to global internship and job opportunities including those related to biotech, organic photovoltaics, and sustainable production chains. It is important to note that participants do not receive academic credit for Global Engineering Treks.
The program was so successful in 2017 that it expanded to two destinations in 2018: Germany and Israel. The Global Engineering Trek: WATER in Israel partners with the Northwestern Center for Water Research and focuses on water desalination, water reuse, and hyper-efficient precision agriculture systems. Like the program in Germany, it will also run from September 11-22, 2018 and students will be able to gain exposure to global internships and job opportunities in the Israeli cities and regions of Tel Aviv, Dan region, Haifa, and the Negev Desert.
For more information, watch the students describe their experiences in Germany in this video:
Global Exchange Welcome
Global Initiatives hosted its third annual “Global Exchange Welcome” on October 4th. This was a social event for all incoming engineering foreign exchange students to connect with McCormick students who returned from abroad exchanges. Faculty and staff members who assisted with these exchange programs were also present. McCormick partnering institutions represented at this year's event were Tel Aviv University, ETH Zürich, and Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. The event connected those with special interests in research and study abroad.
Global initiatives Fair
For the past six years, Global Initiatives has proudly hosted the Global Initiatives Fair, an event designed to highlight international science and engineering opportunities such as study abroad, co-ops, internships and global research projects. This year's fair will be held on Thursday, November 8th in the Tech lobby.
Northwestern offices such as Undergraduate Learning Abroad (UAL), McCormick Undergraduate Advising and the Global Engagement Studies Institute (GESI) are present at the Fair, offering engineering students the unique opportunity to learn about the multiple global offerings available in their field. Additionally, the Office of Fellowships and the Office of Undergraduate Research are also present to inform engineering students of the numerous funding and research opportunities available.
The Global Initiatives Fair, which takes place each fall quarter, is just one of the many activities Global Initiatives has launched to promote international awareness and activity among engineering students.
Also in attendance are the Global Initiatives Student Ambassadors who were awarded funds to complete international work. This allows student attendees to speak to those who have studied abroad and
Engineering Abroad Documents
- Engineering Abroad Programs (2019-2020)
- Engineering Abroad Fellowships & Scholarships (2019-2020)
- Student Planner
Study Abroad, Exchange, and International Opportunities
Offices and Resources
Northwestern Engineering Offices
- Engineering Career Development - Internship opportunities abroad
- McCormick Undergraduate Advising - Curriculum planning for globalizing your engineering degree
Northwestern Offices
- Northwestern University Global Opportunities (NUGO)- A searchable website that maps all of Northwestern’s international programs.
- Undergraduate Learning Abroad Office (ULA) - Study abroad, exchange and select research programs with academic credit include engineering courses.
- Global Engagement Studies Institute (GESI) - Project work abroad with academic credit.
- Buffett Institute for Global Engagement - Project work and fellowships.
- Council on Language Instruction - Global Languages Initiative - Curriculum planning for language courses for engineers
- Office of Fellowships - Fellowship guidance for study abroad financial support
- Office of Undergraduate Research - Research opportunities and guidance
- Wildcard Office - Passport photos and forms
- AIESEC - International student-run organization that coordinates international internships and student exchange
GLOBAL ENGINEERING PROGRAM
It is increasingly important for our undergraduates to engage in the global technological community, which includes professional and academic institutions outside of the United States. Preparation to enter such a global technological landscape transcends mere classroom preparation and requires service learning, studying, researching, living, and/or working abroad.
This program is designed to structure a path whereby students can successfully incorporate significant international experience into their already rigorous engineering curriculum. This program will encourage the development of formal ties between Northwestern Engineering and educational, research, and engineering organizations around the world, by engaging the Engineering School’s most valuable asset – its students.
Successful completion of this program will be include in your undergraduate transcript.