International Career, Teach, and Volunteer Opportunities

Working or Volunteering abroad can allow you to share your time and skills with an international community.  This page can you give some helpful tips and resources for finding Volunteer or Work Abroad programs during your time at CSB+SJU or after graduation. 

Volunteer, Teach, or Service Abroad

Volunteer abroad programs allow you to share your time and skills with a community abroad. They are typically a few weeks to several months in duration and are almost always unpaid. Most are open to students and non-students and do not require any specific skills or language ability.  

The Ideal Volunteer Organization...

  • Is honest about expenses, activities, and challenges
  • Provides potential volunteers with contact info of past participants
  • Screens volunteers for maturity, skills, cultural sensitivity, mental & physical health
  • Provides volunteers with fundraising ideas
  • Is transparent about where your program fee goes
  • Provides orientation materials and preparation suggestions
  • Provides extensive on-site orientation & training, and has a 24 hour support network

External volunteer and service programs are also offered by a large number of organizations. I would look for mention of Best practices and sharing resources from a NAFSA and/or Forum on Education abroad. 

Additional Resources:

Evaluating volunteer abroad programs: A set of good principles and practices for volunteer programs developed by the International Volunteer Programs Association

Teach Abroad

Teaching English abroad is one of the few practical means of finding a paid position in many countries. Schools around the world are looking for native English speakers for their classrooms. Long-term opportunities often require you to have a 4-year degree, while short-term opportunities are available for current students on a volunteer basis.

Independently Arranged International Internships

If you are unable to find an organization that can place you in your desired field or country, you may want to consider arranging an internship directly with a business or organization. Please refer to the External Provider list for program providers that can help with international internship placements.  Consider the resources found on the XPD website before completing this type of internship.

Remember that if you wish to earn academic credit for your internship experience abroad, you must complete the necessary requirements through XPD. In addition, if you are planning to earn academic credit, you must abide by the CSB+SJU International travel policy.

Work Abroad

Though the Center for Global Education and CSB+SJU does not currently offer a specific portfolio of stand alone work abroad programs, there are ways to independently seek these opportunities. You may consider consulting with your major or minor departments.

Resume Writing

    Here are few work placement organizations:

    • BUNAC (Placements in Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, and internships in UK)
    • Interexchange (Over 20 Countries available)

    Additional Resources:

    Entry and Visa Requirements

    You should carefully research all entry and work visa requirements for the country in which you plan to intern. The US State Department provides consular affairs sheets for each country that provide visa requirements and contact information for embassies and consulates in the US. Obtaining a visa for an internship that is paid or unpaid can be difficult. GoinGlobal  is a worldwide job and internship postings and resources, including location specific career guides and entrance requirements.  

    Competitive fellowship programs

    Competitive fellowship programs are a way to further your professional and academic careers. A wide range of programs can help you finance your undergraduate and/or graduate education, provide opportunities for networking and open doors to new worlds of possibility.

    Although many students are initially attracted by the monetary value of some awards, the real significance of these programs is the way they can propel your career to new levels. By participating in a fellowship program, you have a chance to discern your interests and ambitions as well as to develop transferable skills that can help you succeed on the job market or when applying to professional or graduate schools.

    There are programs for many different interests and many which offer international components. The key to success is to identify ways to match you ambitions, background and goals with the available programs at the right time. Visit OURS to get started!  The application deadlines are strict and oftentimes earlier than you would imagine. So begin today!