BEYOND STUDY ABROAD

Ever considered teaching English in Japan, rescuing sea turtles in Costa Rica, or getting a summer job in Australia?  For students that have already studied abroad or students that want a non-traditional overseas experience, a non-credit option may be the perfect fit.  Interning, teaching, volunteering, working, or conducting research abroad are unique ways to explore another country while integrating yourself into the local community.  Students feel a sense of worth as they learn outside the classroom and impact the community in which they work or serve.  The experience gained from such alternative overseas programs is also a great addition to any résumé. 

Intern Abroad

Gain a competitive edge in the workplace and enhance your résumé with an international work experience. Interning overseas will provide you with invaluable experience in the global marketplace and will demonstrate to future employers that you are a driven individual who is not afraid of a challenge.  You will leave your internship with established professional relationships abroad and the ability to market your new skills within your field.

Teach Abroad

If the classroom experience sparks your interest, perhaps you should consider teaching abroad.  For native English speakers, teaching abroad ranks as one of the most accessible and popular options for paid or inexpensive long-term stays overseas.  As an English teacher, your students could range from third-graders to successful local professionals.  The classroom setting allows for considerable cultural immersion; as you help your students learn the English language, you also absorb a great amount of the local culture. 

Volunteer Abroad

Volunteering abroad provides an excellent way to give back to the global community.  As individuals with unique talents, students can share their skills and passions through a variety of volunteer options.  Volunteer programs can range from promoting healthcare in a rural village to supporting human rights efforts.  By volunteering abroad, you will be able to lend a hand to people who are working to improve the quality of life in their communities. Simultaneously, you will gain a better understanding of the world and the challenges that different cultures face. 

Work Abroad

Working abroad helps defray travel costs while allowing students to live like a local.  Although positions may not pay extremely well, they may provide the extra resources needed to get abroad for an extended period of time.  Most short-term paid work opportunities are open to students or recent graduates and are mainly located in Europe, Australia, and New Zealand.  Students that decide to work abroad could expect a position in industries such as hospitality, childcare, or agriculture.  However, with a little creativity and perseverance, the enterprising student may find a position of a more professional nature that may correspond to his or her career goals. 

Research Abroad

The Office of Undergraduate Research encourages USC students to explore research opportunities in the traditional areas of science, technology, and medicine as well as in music, theater, art, and everything in between – any arena that will provide an environment for students to creatively explore their interests at a level more in-depth than can be attained in the classroom.  Such research can also be conducted overseas, either for credit or not for credit, with the help of the Office of Undergraduate Research and the Study Abroad Office.  The Magellan Scholar program funds research experiences in all disciplines for USC's undergraduates both on-campus and abroad.  This program provides access to one-on-one faculty mentoring relationships and opportunities for hands-on learning and professional training.  Recent examples of research projects conducted overseas include Theater and Set Design in Romania and the study of microfinance in Uganda.  For more information on how to get started on an overseas research project, contact the Office of Undergraduate Research at (803) 777-1141 or by email at our@sc.edu.

USC’s Study Abroad staff can help you determine if volunteering, teaching, working, or conducting research abroad is the right option for you and provide you with the resources to help get you started.  You can also visit the Intern Abroad, Teach Abroad, Volunteer Abroad, or Work Abroad sections for more information about these types of programs.