Summer

Although course requirements may make it difficult for some engineers to study abroad during the semester, there are a number of opportunities for students to go abroad over the summer. From sustainability consulting in Sweden to research in South Korea, Engineering International Programs offers students a variety of transformative global summer experiences. You can explore faculty-led programs below, or check out more opportunities available on the ISO Program Search.

Interested in an internship? Engineering International Programs helps identify internship opportunities that are exclusively dedicated to UVA engineering students. All internships are coordinated through the Office of International Programs. If you are interested, please schedule an appointment with Maya Laurinaitis Drake (mel2j@virginia.edu). UVA Global Internships also offer Student Envoy Office Hours on Wednesday 1-2 pm and Thursday 12-1 pm at Clemons 234. 

Summer Faculty Led Programs

Summer Research Internships

  • Daegu Gyeonbuk Institute of Science and Technology

    Daegu Gyeonbuk Institute of Science and Technology

    Research Opportunity in South Korea

    Daegu Gyeonbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST) is a modern research institution specializing in science and engineering. DGIST is located in a country-like setting in Daegu – South Korea's third largest city. Open to third year and fourth year engineers.

    Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology
  • Shibaura Institute of Technology

    Shibaura Institute of Technology

    Research Opportunity in Japan

    Students interested in research can participate in a research exchange program with the Shibaura Institute of Technology in Japan. Each institution will host up to four students annually for a period of up to twelve weeks.

  • Virtual Global Internships

    Summer 2022 programs

    UVA Global Internships/Education Abroad and Global Studies are excited to announce internships for Summer 2022!

    This is your chance to make meaningful global connections and develop as a professional this summer!

    Diverse positions are available with 15+ organizations located in Africa, Europe, Asia, and South America.

    Engage with global themes through your work, such as human rights, public health, women’s empowerment, leadership, commerce, development, disability, indigenous communities, and many others.

    EXPLORE: full details about internship partner organizations, positions, course details, scholarships, and application requirements by visiting the following program brochures in the Education Abroad online portal:

     

    WATCH: this 3-minute video about the two programs

    READ: about past virtual global interns’ experiences in this UVA Today article, “Students Learn Unexpected Skills Through Virtual Internship program”

    CONTACT: Ingrid Hakala, the director of UVA Global Internships, for more information and to introduce yourself

  • UVA Internship Placement Programs– (IPP)

    What are they?

    UVA Global Internships works with partners across Grounds and the world to offer structured summer internship programs for direct UVA academic credit. Students participate in full-time internships while also engaging in course(s) taught by UVA faculty. Participants are accompanied by fellow UVA peers and housing is pre-identified.

    The opportunities vary from program to program. The programs in India, Prague, Dublin, and Shanghai offer individualized placements, based on student interests. The program in Ghent will offer research internships at HoGent University College, while the program in Morocco will be based with the High Atlas Foundation, an international NGO in Marrakech. Check each program for more details.

    When?

    Summer 2022 (Different program dates: 6 to 10 weeks).

    Where?

    UVA in Dublin: IPP Global

    UVA in Shanghai: Culture + Internship

    UVA in Prague: IPP Global

    UVA in Morocco: Participatory Development in Practice

    UVA in India: Global Internship in Society, Environments, + Enterprise

    Are they for Credit?

    Yes, each program offers a different curriculum with courses for direct UVA credit.

    Who can apply?

    Undergraduate students across the University are encouraged to apply. Placement is available in a wide array of professional/academic fields.

    How to apply?

    You can apply through ISO's Education- Abroad Website in which you can search for a variety of internships opportunities. In the "Where" section there are direct links to some of the internships. 

    Deadlines to apply

    Will vary! Information will be posted soon.

  • Finding an internship on your own

    Our office, Engineering International Programs will help you identify internship opportunities that are exclusively available for UVA engineering students. We will find programs for students in all parts of the world. Students can choose to intern in a business or an academic institution doing research. UVA has partnerships with third-party providers that offer global full-time internship placements in a variety of fields gaining hands-on work experience in an international workplace. Costs vary depending on the internship. EIP can help identify scholarships or grants that are offered to students for an internship experience.

  • Funding your internship abroad

    In order to study abroad, it's necessary to allocate funds for transportation, program fees, academic credit, housing, meals, travel documents, insurance, and more. Therefore, it's important to develop a budget and plan your international experience accordingly. To help you, here are some resources that can help fund your internship:

    Global Internships Summer Travel Grant: up to $3000 for UVA internship programs and UVA Independent Internships.

    Parents Fund Internship Grants: $3000 grant for 2nd and 3rd-year students who have secured unpaid internships in any of the five areas of public concern as defined by the Virginia 2020 Commission.

    Z Society Gilbert J. Sullivan Award: offers a $2,000 scholarship awarded to a returning undergraduate student of the University. It is intended to provide an opportunity to take a summer internship otherwise unattainable because of financial constraints.

    Sydney Elizabeth Owens scholarship: administered by the Alumni Association, will support a current first-, second- or third-year student who has designed with faculty approval or input, a transformative experience to take place over the course of a semester or summer. The amount of the award for 2018 was $6,000.

    Royster-Lawton Fellowship in Social Enterprise provides $3,000 in funding to support summer internships in social enterprise. Staff can match you with a social venture according to your interests, or you can choose your own. Fellows also benefit from career coaching, resume and cover letter development.

    Small Research and Travel Grants from the College of Arts & Sciences are for students conducting research, engaging in artistic activities, or presenting their own research at professional conferences.

    Additional Funding Opportunities and Resources information can be found here.

  • Resources and Contacts

     Engineering International Programs: Thornton Hall B103 

    Program Director - Dana Elzey: elzey@virginia.edu

    International Program Advisor - Maya Drake: mel2k@virginia.edu

    https://engineering.virginia.edu/about/offices/international-programs

     

    Center for Engineering Career Development: Thornton Hall A115

    Assistant Director & Career Counselor - Heather Palmer: hrr5j@virginia.edu

    https://engineering.virginia.edu/careers

     

    International Studies Office + UVA Global Internships: Minor Hall second floor

    Global Internships Director - Ingrid Hakala: ihm6t@virginia.edu

    http://educationabroad.virginia.eduhttp//globalinternships.globalgrounds.org

"I had an amazing experience interning with Friends For Street Children in Vietnam Summer 2017 through CET Academic Programs. During the summer I worked fundraising and raising awareness around Ho Chi Minh City for K-5 schooling of undocumented children. By the end of the summer, we raised over $10,000 for the kids, reached over 1100 individual donors in Vietnam, worked with local government, established media presence, and hosted an event with 250 guests that was featured on Vietnam's largest television network. It was incredibly rewarding to meet many of the children we were raising money for and interact with them both at school and visit their homes. "

Jack McManus - Computer Science