GEARE: Study Abroad and Work Abroad

You want an international experience, but you also want to work in industry.  GEARE enables you to do both!  Global Engineering Alliance for Research and Education (GEARE) is Purdue’s premier international work experience program. It provides a one-of-a-kind opportunity to integrate language study, study abroad, cultural training, domestic and international work/research experiences, and global design team projects into the 4-year Engineering curriculum. Students completing the program will earn a Global Engineering Studies Minor while enhancing the intercultural competencies necessary to be effective leaders within the global work environment.

What's involved in GEARE?

GEARE is a comprehensive international experience.  It includes:

• Foreign language: 12 credits prior to your international experience
• Complete one domestic internship or research experience (minimum 12 weeks) International students may complete domestic internship/research experience in their home country or the U.S.
• Attend 5 mandatory meetings during the sophomore year
• 3 one-credit cultural orientation seminars (ENGR 297 prior to international experience, ENGR 397 while abroad, ENGR497 after return to the U.S.).
• One semester of study abroad
• An international internship or research experience (minimum 10-12 weeks) International students may complete international internship/research experience in the U.S. or in another country.
• A global design team project
• GEARE poster presentation (Assignment within ENGR 497)

Where can I go?

GEARE programs in Mechanical Engineering are organized by foreign language. So figure out which language you want to learn, and then imagine yourself in one of these destinations:

• Chinese Language
  • Shanghai Jiao Tong University: Shanghai, China
• French Language
  • ESTACA: Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, France
• German Language
  • Karlsruhe Institute of Technology: Karlsruhe, Germany
  • Leibnitz University Hannover: Hannover, Germany
• Korean Language
  • Yonsei University: Seoul, South Korea
• Portuguese Language
  • University of Campinas: Sao Paulo, Brazil (in development)
• Spanish Language
  • EAFIT: Medellin, Colombia
  • Universidad San Francisco de Quito: Quito, Ecuador
  • Tec de Monterrey Queretaro: Queretaro, Mexico
  • Universidad Carlos III de Madrid: Madrid, Spain
  • Universitat Politecnica de Valencia: Valenica, Spain
• Exceptions: Other locations are available if your foreign language isn't offered here (i.e. Italy, Japan, Russia, or Arabic speaking country) or if you were offered a specific internship or research opportunity in a country requiring a student visa to obtain work authorization (i.e. internship with Rolls Royce in the UK).
  • University of New South Wales: Sydney, Australia
  • Technical University of Denmark: Lyngby, Denmark
  • National University of Ireland: Galway, Ireland
  • National University of Singapore: Singapore
  • Nanyang Technological University: Singapore
  • KTH: Swedish Royal Institute of Technology: Stockholm, Sweden

How do I apply?

To apply, please complete the GEARE application. Be prepared to provide your transcript, resume, and application essay, and return the application packet to the Office of Professional Practice (Potter Engineering Center, Room 114).

The deadline for first-year students is February 28 (or for sophomores, September 30 if you've earned or tested out of at least 3 credits of a foreign language.)  You should be notified of the result of your application within a month of this deadline.

Questions?

The GEARE website has tons of information that can be helpful for you in making your decision and looking for internships.  If you have more questions, you can contact:

• Julia King, Director, Office for Industrial Experience (Room ME2007E): 765-494-5702, juliaking@purdue.edu
• Joe Tort, Office of Professional Practice: 765-494-7323, jtort@purdue.edu