• Passport
• Resume/CV
• Learning Plan

As you prepare for departure, you'll also need: (see Pre-Departure Section)

• Job Offer
• Work Visa
• CoE International Experience Registry (register your work abroad) & ITOC (International Travel Oversight Committee)
• International Health Insurance

Passport

Do you have a passport? If you do not already have a passport, or if yours will be expiring soon, you should apply for one immediately. Passports are normally valid for ten years, and for travel in most countries it must be valid for a period of six months after your departure date. It is a worthwhile investment even if you decide not to participate in an international internship. The U.S. State Department sometimes experiences a backlog of several months in processing passport applications, so again, it's good to plan early. Please note that the U.S. Passport Card is only valid for travel by car to Canada or Mexico. Visit the International Programs in Engineering (IPE) website for details on getting or renewing your passport.

Resume / CV

A resume is sometimes known as a Curriculum Vitae (CV) in many other countries, whereas in the U.S. a CV is almost always reserved for academic resumes. A strongly written and organized resume or CV is an essential tool for any job search. The resume/CV outlines your educational and employment experience, skills, and can include relevant activities and interests. A well-crafted resume/CV makes a difference in your ability to successfully secure an interview and eventually obtain a position. Meet with an Advisor at the ECRC to craft your resume/CV. Depending on whether you are applying for an international internship with a company based in the U.S., a placement program with offices here and abroad, or directly to an international company your resume/CV may have to conform to different guidelines. The Big Guide to Living and Working Overseas and Going Global offer excellent resources on how to format your resume depending on the country where you are applying for an internship; however always pay attention to application procedures. A company headquartered in the U.S. most likely will want a resume that conforms to U.S. standards.

Learning Plan

So what is the value of having a Learning Plan anyways? A Learning Plan is an excellent tool to put some structure around your international experience. So often students report when they return from international internships that the experience was awesome; however when we ask them to articulate the skills they developed (for example to an employer) they are often challenged to do so. We agree international internships are great! Yet, we also want to make sure you have well articulated goals that you can use to narrow your search, remind you of what you want to get out of the experience while you're abroad, and use as a tool for evaluating your accomplishments once you get back. Your next step is to read the Define Your Goals section of this site, and visit the ECRC to start the Learning Plan process.
Take a look at a sample Learning Plan to help you get started on your own.