Global Initiatives Fair Global Initiatives Fair
Global Initiatives Fair Global Initiatives Fair
Global Initiatives Fair Global Initiatives Fair
Global Initiatives Fair Global Initiatives Fair
Global Initiatives Fair Global Initiatives Fair
Global Initiatives Fair Global Initiatives Fair
Global Initiatives Fair Global Initiatives Fair
Global Initiatives Fair Global Initiatives Fair

Student Global Opportunities

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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.

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Student Ambassador Awards

Student Ambassador Awards provide support for industry internships, projects and research abroadThe Global Initiatives office invites undergraduates and BS/MS students with global perspective in their engineering careers to serve as Global Initiatives Student Ambassadors.

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

  1. Fill out an application.
  2. Provide an NU transcript.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.

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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:

Learn more about this program

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 learn first-hand just how fruitful a global experience in engineering can be. Please refer to the "Engineering Abroad Documents" below to view all global science and engineering opportunities offered for the upcoming academic year.

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Engineering Abroad Documents

 

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Study Abroad, Exchange, and International Opportunities

Offices and Resources

Northwestern Engineering Offices

Northwestern Offices

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.