INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE OPPORTUNITIES
ENGINEERING AND COMPUTER SCIENCE MAJORS
CLASS OF 2015
If you are an engineering major in the Class of 2015, it is definitely not too early to start thinking about how you want to satisfy the international experience component of the General Education Requirements. There are numerous ways of gaining international experience while at Union. Specifics of the various options should have been explained to you during orientation, and will be discussed again in the last common hour of ESC100. If you would like to find out more anytime, go to the engineering international experience website, http://www.union.edu/academic_depts/engineering/academic_opportunities/eta/index.php or the College international program website http://www.union.edu/offices/international/.
International experience is one of the key ingredients of Union College's forward-looking curricula in engineering and computer science. Whether you go on a term abroad, an academic exchange, an international term in industry, or any of the other available options, you will learn first hand about a foreign culture. Since engineers and computer scientists increasingly have to deal in the international marketplace, this experience will give you a distinct advantage over recent graduates of other colleges.
You are encouraged to consider taking one of the terms abroad or exchanges that require language proficiency. Technical people who are proficient in a foreign language are in high demand. Also, consider the competition you face from European, Asian, and other international graduates. They all speak at least two languages, and many speak several. Where you enter the Union language sequence depends on how much of a certain language you took in high school. If you have three or less years of a language behind you, you will start in the introductory sequence, but not necessarily in the first course. If you have four or more years of a language in high school, you will start at the intermediate level, which makes it much easier to find appropriate courses. The Chair of the Modern Languages Department can advise you as to your best starting point. If you are considering an international experience requiring language proficiency, it is important that you gain that proficiency during the freshman and sophomore years so you will be eligible for the programs starting in the junior year.
Your academic advisor will be happy to further discuss the various international experience options with you. You should start your inquiry with your first meeting. If your advisor does not discuss terms abroad with a language requirement, then ask him or her. Also, feel free to contact Professor Jewell or Professor Thomas if you have additional questions about your international experience.
Professor Tom Jewell
Director of International Programs for Engineering
or
Lara Atkins
Director of International Programs
Third Floor, Old Chapel