Are you doing a science or engineering degree? You might be thinking, as I once was: “sure,a semester abroad sounds great, but let’s face it; my courses are hard enough in English. Besides, my program has a strict course schedule that must be completed in a certain order and who knows if the credits will all transfer.” Well, if that is what you are thinking, let me present a different option: an international work-study placement.
Back in 2009, I went to Potsdam, Germany through an organization called International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience (IAESTE) to work as a co-op student for the summer in a lab at the German Institute of Human Nutrition.
The German Institute of Human Nutrition
IAESTE is an English-based organization that places science and engineering students into (paid!) work placements around the world. I applied first to the program and then to a few specific jobs that I was qualified for. Most of the jobs were in English, though a few required specific language skills. I was hired for one! IAESTE helped me with the logistics involved in getting me there including: finding me a place to live; advising me on work visas and travel documents; and putting me in touch with the “local committee” in Potsdam who offered to meet me when I arrived and show me around.
Now I can only speak to my experience, but the local committee in Potsdam was amazing. They were a group of energetic, friendly university students that volunteered their time to help make our exchange unforgettable. They would organize weeknight outings and even weekend trips for me and the other exchange students in Potsdam. Not only was this a wonderful opportunity to interact with friendly locals, I also met students from all over that were doing similar placements in the city. We all became fast friends. Besides showing us around Potsdam, we were also hosted by other local committees in different cities in Germany. There we met even more locals and other international exchange students from all over the globe. We really experienced Germany because we were being shown around by the locals and our outings were not limited to tourist attractions. Sometimes it was just a BBQ at someone’s house, or hanging out on the beach, or beers after work and just talking.
IAESTE students at BBQ (Freiberg). I am second from the right.
Thinking back, I probably learned more from the people I met about life and culture then all the fancy lab methods I mastered. It was a nice balance between work doing actual research (which I love), and the social and travelling aspects that I wanted to take advantage of. I am not saying it wasn’t hard at times. I was not immune to culture shock and loneliness. I struggled with the language and I missed home. But the support of this organization really helped me out and made the experience so wonderful.
If you are interested, check them out! Or take a look at this other program, DAAD-RISE, which caters to science and engineering students who want to do a work exchange in Germany.