Summer Undergraduate Research in Global Engineering (SURGE)
Getting international work experience at a research lab overseas during the summer can be a great way to burnish your CV and gain professional/working skills in an international environment. There are many SURGE opportunities around the globe (see below). Note that most of these opportunities are being shared as a professional courtesy extended to select universities. Purdue students are expected to participate independently and work directly with the host institution. They will not be actively enrolled in a Purdue-sponsored program unless the application process is managed by the Study Abroad Office.
Students participating in SURGE can register for ENGR 39899 (CRN 24741). This is a zero-credit course used for global internships/research experiences. There is a minimum length requirement to register for this class, usually at least 8 weeks of research experience (short-term SURGE experiences do not qualify).
If you are accepted and intend to participate in an independent SURGE program (those managed by the host institution and not by the Study Abroad Office), please follow these steps:
- Secure international travel insurance if you participate in a SURGE experience. There are many providers, for exampple this one. Choose a provider that covers all aspects of your travel. This includes trip cancellation, interruption, and delay, baggage protection, emergency medical expense coverage, evacuation, repatriation, etc.
- Check required vaccinations and related preventative healthcare prior to traveling with your preferred healthcare professional or other reputable sources (e.g. CDC website, Purdue-PUSH).
- Instructions for non-US Citizens: All Purdue-WL international students need to interface with the Office of International Students and Scholars (ISS) before planning any international travel to ensure that travel is allowed to the country/countries that will be visited. Entry visa requirements of the country/countries being visited must be met as well as re-entry visa requirements of the US. Please note that obtaining a visa (if necessary) is your responsibility and at your own cost. GEPP is not a visa service and cannot obtain a visa for you.
- If you are a US citizen, you can register with U.S. Consulate Overseas via the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) is a free service provided by the U.S. Government.
- Learn about any travel warnings to the destination you are visiting using this site and review the FBI's key to U.S. Student Safety Overseas.