International
Opportunities
Why Go Abroad?
Amherst students may choose to work abroad for a wide variety of reasons. Some
work abroad because they did not have a chance to study abroad during their
academic career; others work abroad because their time abroad sparked an interest
in working abroad. Some students choose to spend a summer working abroad before
graduation; others choose to spend Interterm in a foreign country doing volunteer
work or interning. Students may work abroad for the adventure, for the cultural
experience, to improve language skills.
General Information
Dickinson
College's site
includes links,
information about
organizing searches,
and visa info
Escape Artist looks at working
and living abroad, links abound
One Small Planet:
working, traveling, studing and volunteering on Earth
Transitions Abroad: informational
site with articles and links
University of Michigan: international
employment information and links
U.S. State Department: travel
and living abroad information
Visas and Work Abroad
Programs
All countries require that foreign visitors obtain a working visa or a worker's
permit before working and/or residing for long periods of time. Often those
wanting to work abroad are in a tough position: governments will only give
visas to those who have already secured a job, but employers will only give
jobs to those who have working visas. It is for this reason that work exchange
programs are so desirable to those looking for jobs abroad. These companies
provide workers with the proper paperwork needed to work abroad including working
visas, tax file numbers, etc. Also, they often help workers find housing and
job once they've arrived in the foreign country.
Types of International
Opportunities and
Application Deadlines
Short
term paid work
abroad
Deadlines:
Apply 3-4 months before the date you would like to arrive in a foreign country.
Different programs have different deadlines. Consult their websites for the
most up to date deadline information.
Teaching abroad
Deadlines:
September – deadline for Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship positions
December – deadlines for major TESL programs in Asia, including JET, Princeton-in-Asia,
Erlham College , etc.
January – March – deadlines for various other TESL programs (Apply early!)
Volunteering abroad
Deadlines:
Apply 9 months in advance for Peacecorps and other long-term volunteer programs.
March - May – deadline for short-term 'work camps'
Internships abroad
Deadlines:
November 1st – deadline for US State Department internships for the summer
December 1st – deadline for many science and engineering internships
Match 1st – deadlines for State Department internships for the fall
July 1st – deadlines for State Department internships for the winter
Search Engines for
International Opportunities
Jobtrak,
job search engine
Monster,
job search engine
The
Riley Guide,
Job listings by
country, job search
engine
U.S. Civil Service Employment,
job search engine
Overseas Jobs.com, job search
engine
Go Abroad.com, search engine for
jobs, internships, teaching positions, and volunteer opportunities
Consulting Jobs
Abroad
Abt
Associates ,
International consulting
McKinsey
and Company ,
Consulting, international
branches
Monitor Consulting , Consulting, international
branches
Teaching Abroad
Amherst's
teaching
abroad informational
page
Council on International Educational Exchange ,
teach abroad in China and Thailand
ESL Lighthouse , teaching ESL
in Asia
JET, Japanese Exchange
Teaching . Language teaching in Japan
Worldteach, Inc. , international
teaching programs
Teaching Jobs Overseas
Teach Abroad , Teaching
jobs in Asia and Europe
Think Tanks
American
Enterprise Institute
for Public Policy
Research ,
Think tank, informational
site about the
company
Brookings Institute, Think tank, company
informational site, foreign policy, economics and governance
Institute for Policy Studies , think
tank, internship opportunities
Carnegie Endowment for International Peace ,
informational site about the organization
Volunteer Positions
Abroad
Explorations
in Travel ,
Volunteer placements
worldwide (for
women only)
Idealist , a project by Action Without
Borders , search engine for nonprofit organizations, jobs, internships, and
volunteer opportunities
International Volunteer Program ,
Volunteer opportunities in France and the U.K., housing and meals provided
Peacecorps
One World , a nonprofit working to
prevent further environmental destruction, volunteer positions available
I-to-I Volunteer Abroad, Volunteer programs
related to media, health, community planning, and conservation
The Global Volunteer Network offers volunteer opportunities in community projects throughout the world. Our vision is to support the work of local community organizations in developing countries through the placement of international volunteers. We believe that local communities are in the best position to determine their needs, and we provide volunteers to help them achieve their goals.
Short Term Work
and Internships Abroad
BUNAC ,
Short term visas
in the U.K., Ireland,
New Zealand, Canada,
Australia, and
South Africa
DAAD , Internships in Germany
INTEREXCHANGE, Programs (work,
volunteer, au pair, teach, intern) throughout Europe, Australia, Costa Rica,
Peru, South Africa
Interlochen,
Paid internship and job opportunities, a youth camp offering travel programs
to promote the embracing of international peoples, 'peace camp'
Club Med , informational site about
the company and job offerings
International Jobs
related to Print
Media
Associated
Press , world's
largest news gathering
organization, job
and internship
opportunities
The Economist
Foreign Affairs , A journal
on international affairs, has an internship program
Foreign Policy , A quarterly
journal on international affairs, has an internship program
Government Organizations
Academy
for Educational
Development ,
Internships and
employment on a
variety of USAID
programs
Central Intelligence Agency ,
Employment and Internships
Council on Foreign Relations , foreign
policy jobs and internships
Defense Intelligence Agency , foreign military
intelligence, job opportunities
National Security Agency , employment opportunities
U.S. Foreign Service Employment ,
foreign diplomacy, job opportunities
International Health
Jobs
General Information
International Health is a growing field. With the increase in world travel
and globalization health problems are no longer local issues. Epidemics such
as HIV/AIDS have caused a worldwide realization of the far reaching effects
of health problems that were at first considered to only affect certain areas
and communities. This realization has caused an increase international health
opportunities. Even though there are more opportunities than ever before in
international health, it still takes a lot of time and patience to find something
especially as a student or recent graduate.
International Health Medical Education Consortium
This is the best general listing for any opportunities in medicine or public
health in the international arena. Go to the resources link and they have links
to both organizations doing work in international health as well as guides
and advice on international health as a career.
World Health Organization
The Center for International Service
Learning
Click on health professions student link on the home page for a description
of the different projects. Most programs are 2 weeks and cost between $1000-$2000.
There is the possibility of collecting aid and donations, which lower the price
the student must pay to around $600, depending on the program. It is important
to keep in mind that this organization is religiously affiliated. There are
reports of students having a wonderful time on this program, but a few have
said that they felt as if they were on a missionary trip.
Global Volunteers ,
health or environmental projects that are 1 or 2 weeks, 18 different countries
(including the US ), cost: approximately $2,000.
Child Family Health International
415-863-4900. Programs for pre-medical students 21 years and older or medical
students of any year. Their programs focus on clinical experience, but offer
a variety of topics including tropical medicine, health disparities, and clinical
rotations. Programs are in India , South Africa , Ecuador , and Mexico . The
programs in Latin America include classes in medical Spanish, but there is
no language prerequisite. One session is approximately 4 weeks and approximately
$1,500, but does not include airfare to site.
International Cooperative Education ,
paid summer internships related to health in Belgium , Germany , Finland
, Japan , Switzerland , and Singapore
Other Opportunities
Arms
Control and Disarmament
Agency , informational
site about the
agency, fellowship
opportunities
Association for International Practical Training ,
global training and cultural exchange, internships available
CDS International , training opportunities
in Germany and Ecuador, paid internships
Center for Strategic and International Studies ,
a company providing world leaders with strategic insights, job and internship
opportunities
European Council of International Schools ,
promotes excellence in international education, courses and internships available
IGC Internet , bringing communication technologies
to grass roots organizations and nonprofits, scroll to the bottom of the
page for job and internship listings
International Association of Students in
Economics and Commerce , Info. about private sector internships, student
and alumni network, international traineeship exchanges
The World Bank , providing development
assistance, job opportunities and internships
Reuters , a global information company,
finance job opportunities
Checklist
Before Leaving
· Meet with Mr. Hoffa in the Career Center
· Contact any people you know in the city or country where you'll be
· Make a list of alumni living in the city or country where you'll be
· Talk with students who have returned from your future work site
· Read all of the information provided by your program
· Read up on the city and country in which you'll be living
· Consult some of the websites listed under the General Information section of this page
· Get the appropriate immunizations
While Abroad
--Register with the embassy/consulate abroad
--Register with the local police department if required
--Familiarize yourself with the local customs and become aware of your
surroundings
--Beware of local water and food – be aware of what is and is not safe
for you to eat and drink
--Become aware of the health care services available in your town or city
--Maintain a notebook with contact info of family and friends at home
as well as people you meet abroad
--Contact Amherst alums
--Check the local Yellow Pages and newspapers for want ads for future
reference
--Look for schools that teach in English (if you're interested in teaching
at an English-speaking school abroad)
--Practice the local language – even if you're in an English-speaking
country, there are always new slang phrases and nuances to the language
--Meet locals
--Introduce yourself to other Americans and foreigners living abroad
--Pay attention to living and travel costs – make a budget and stick to
it!
--Have a friend or family member at home collect information about internships
and jobs in the US for after you return home
--Get information on Graduate School programs (if you are considering
Grad School abroad)
After Returning
--Keep in touch with the contacts you made abroad
--Visit the Amherst College Career Center
--Assess your financial situation
--Prepare a resume--be sure to include your experiences abroad!
--Research jobs and Graduate programs in the US and abroad
--Find a friend to job-hunt with--the process is much more fun when completed
in pairs!
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