Why you should participate in a Global Education program
Mechanical Engineering is a competitive field and it has become more important to take steps to help distinguish oneself. Graduate school admissions as well as Industry leaders have become increasingly focused on students with dedication to community service, as well as those students showing their ability to be diverse individuals. Participating in Global Education opportunities will help any student attempting an Engineering career to create a diverse, accomplished portfolio along with research and internships. Global Education programs can be crucial to an engineering student’s educational experience.
Global Education programs provide an opportunity for you to develop a valuable skill set that can give you an advantage over the competition by:
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Exposing you to unique environments and differences in the human condition worldwide;
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Expanding your knowledge of culturally specific STEM or human approaches;
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Challenging you to adapt and persevere under sometimes difficult and harsh social and cultural circumstances;
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Exposing you to research and internship across the world;
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Increasing professional and education network
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Improving your language and cross cultural skills for effective communication across populations;
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Enhancing your portfolio of experience through the kinds of hands-on research and community-based opportunities you will need to compete and succeed in today’s challenging and quickly changing STEM fields
Planning your program
With advance planning, you should be able to fit a Global Education program within your four years at ASU.
Year | Term | Recommended Student Action |
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Year 1 | Spring | Start looking into Global Education options that interest you. Make an appointment to discuss with your academic advisor. Identify a summer/fall Global Education program |
Summer - Optimal | Complete a summer Global Education program OR Identify a fall Global Education program |
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Year 2 Optimal year to participate in a Global Education program (fall or summer) |
Fall | Complete a fall semester Global Education program Identify a summer Global Education program |
Spring | Complete spring break Global Education program | |
Summer | Complete a summer Global Education program | |
Year 3 | Fall - Spring | Investigate Internship/research opportunities Complete a semester, winter break, or spring break Global Education program Apply for internships/research Apply for 4+1 (if eligible) Start studying for and take GRE exam Attend Career Fair(s) |
Summer | Complete a summer Global Education program Participate in Research or Internship |
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Year 4 | Fall - Spring | Apply for grad school Attend Career Fairs(s) |
Advice from the School for Engineering of Matter, Transport and Energy
While we recommend participating in a Global Education program, it is important that you work with your advisor to confirm a plan to help you stay on track to complete your degree. It is usually recommended that Engineering students participate in a Global Education program earlier in their degree program or during the summer to avoid a delay in graduation.
“Participating in a study abroad program can be a great way to round out your ASU experience and, for engineering students, balance out your technical training. Consider going early, before you really dive into the core courses of your major, as these more specialized topics can sometimes be hard to find at other institutions.” David Nielsen - Associate Professor, Undergraduate Program Chair for Chemical Engineering
Advice from the Global Education Office
- Be sure to view the list of recommended steps for getting started on your study abroad journey.
- Attend a Study Abroad 101 info session to get all the basic information from a GEO Student Recruiter on program types, eligibility, housing, finances, searching for and choosing a program and the application process.
- Attend a Financing Your Global Education Program workshop to get information on program fees and deadlines, how financial aid can apply to Global Education programs, how to utilize community-based funding and tips on finding and applying for Global Education scholarships.
How to make an appointment
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Schedule an appointment online. You will need your student ID to log in; you will be asked to create a username and password.
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Call (480) 965-2335 to schedule an appointment by phone.
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Visit an advisor during walk-in hours in Engineering Center G - Wing ( ECG) Room 202.
Key questions to ask
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What are my remaining degree requirements?
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How many upper-division credits do I still need to complete for my degree?
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How many elective credits (lower vs. upper division) do I have left to complete my major?
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What remaining prerequisites must I fulfill, and how will a Global Education program impact my progress?
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Which of my remaining degree requirements could I complete abroad? Are there any that I cannot take abroad?
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Can I receive academic credit for an internship abroad?
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Are there any in-residence requirements I need to be aware of before I go abroad?
Meeting with a Peer Advisor
Peer Advisors are ASU students who have studied abroad on various types of programs and who are here to help you get started on a journey of your own! They are prepared to help you understand the different types of programs offered, narrow down your program options, guide you on the application process, discuss program costs, and speak about student life abroad.
- Schedule a Peer Advising appointment
- Stop by the Global Education Office anytime Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
- Contact a Peer Advisor by email.
- Call a Peer Advisor at (480) 965-5965.
Meeting with an International Coordinator
Your International Coordinator can answer your questions about specific programs, talk you through the application process and can help you find funding resources for your particular program on the Global Education Office website. Your International Coordinator is happy to meet with you to answer your questions and they would be glad to schedule meetings in person, by phone, or via Zoom.
- Find the name of your International Coordinator listed on the Global Education Office webpage for your program of interest.
- Schedule an appointment online. Click on the International Coordinator name for your program of interest and follow the prompts to schedule your appointment.
Key questions to ask the Global Education Office
- What are the eligibility requirements for my program(s) or interest?
- What is involved in the application for my program(s) of interest? Is admission to the program competitive?
- How will I get ASU credit and grades for the courses I take abroad?
- What courses are available on my program? How can I get courses approved for my program(s) of interest?
- What is the cost of participating in my program(s) of interest? What do I need to consider in preparing an estimated budget for my program(s) of interest, and what expenses do I need to plan for upfront?
- Where can I find more information about scholarships for Global Education programs?
Pursuing a global experience is an investment in your future. Like any other type of investment, it requires careful planning and management. However, the personal, academic, and professional rewards that you will gain from this experience will last a lifetime. You should carefully consider costs, budgets, and financing when selecting and preparing for your global experience.
Review Cost Sheet
You can find a Cost Sheet for your program on the Cost Info tab of the Global Education Office webpage for your program. The Cost Sheet will highlight the costs that are billed to your student account as well as additional estimated costs that are not billed to your student account but that you might expect to spend while participating. Be sure to note what expenses are included in the fees charged by the Global Education Office, and remember to budget additional money for airfare, passport and visa fees and personal expenses as needed since these are not included in any Program Fee.
Research Funding
Once you have reviewed the Cost Sheet for your program and are aware of the costs you might expect to spend on your program, you can begin to make a plan for financing your global education program. You can receive funding for your program through financial aid, scholarships and grants, and community-based fundraising efforts. We encourage you to:
- Speak to Financial Aid and Scholarship Services (FASS) about financial aid
- Use our Scholarships and Grants page to search for general global education scholarships and scholarships that are unique to your program
- Read the Community-Based Funding Guide for creative ways that past ASU students have funded their programs
Financial Aid
We encourage you to speak to a Financial Aid Counselor, who can help you figure out how your financial aid might be applied to your global education program. Be sure to seek answers to the following questions from a Financial Aid Counselor:
- How do loans work for my global education program? What kinds of aid/loans do I currently receive, and are there any restrictions on this aid if I participate on a GEO program?
- Have I reached the maximum of (insert name of) loan allowed per academic year?
- When will funds be released for my semester of participation?
- How will additional scholarships impact my ASU financial aid?
Major-Specific Scholarships
The Fulton Schools of Engineering offers study abroad scholarships for which you may apply.
Attend Financing Workshop
Would you like help learning about your financing options? We offer Financing Your Global Education Program Workshops through Fall and Spring semesters. Join us to learn how to finance your global education program through financial aid, scholarships and grants, and community-based funding.