GEARE - Office of Professional Practice - Purdue University

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, global skills training, domestic and international work/research experiences, and global design team projects into the four-year engineering curriculum. Students completing the program will earn a Global Engineering Studies Minor while enhancing the professional skills necessary to be effective leaders within the global work environment.

• Currently accepting College of Engineering students in West Lafayette or Indianapolis. Students from other colleges are accepted on a case-by-case basis and require meeting with OPP and student's major.
• Students must join in the second semester of their first year or in the first semester of sophomore year. Juniors, seniors and graduate students are not eligible. 
• Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA.
• Ability to complete 12 credits of a foreign language prior to the international experience.

We strive for the GEARE program to be cost-neutral. Students are required to register for an internship course during their GEARE domestic and GEARE global internships. The courses are free.

Students will receive compensation from their internship employers, which will help to offset the cost of the courses. Compensation for global internships may vary depending on the country and type of internship. Students study abroad at Purdue's student exchange partner universities. They pay normal tuition and fees to Purdue during the semester abroad. The cost of living at most partner universities is equal to or less than living on campus at Purdue.

The Office of Professional Practice offers travel assistance grants when compensation for global internship is not enough to cover cost of living while completing the internship.

GEARE Ambassadors is the official student organization affiliated with GEARE. The organization serves as a platform for students to build meaningful connections, develop leadership skills and prepare for transformative international experiences. It oversees valuable resources for GEARE participants, facilitates pre-departure preparation, organizes professional development events and hosts social activities designed to foster community within each student cohort.

Engineering students have two opportunities to apply for the GEARE program.

Application cycle 1

Application Cycle 1 is open for second-semester FYE students starting after the GEARE callout in January and closes after two weeks.

Application cycle 2

Application Cycle 2 is open for first-semester sophomore engineering students after the GEARE callout in August each year and closes after two weeks.

How to apply

During the application cycle, students should enter Gateway and select Student Login. Students can use their career account credentials to log in. Once in Gateway, students should click on their photo icon in the top right corner, select Survey, then click on the GEARE application survey. All areas of the survey should be completed, and the resume and transcript uploaded, for the application to be considered fully submitted. This video will show you how to apply.

Application review and notifications

Applications will be reviewed by the GEARE coordinator in the student's academic discipline. Some GEARE coordinators may require interviews.

• Application Cycle 1 candidates will be notified about program acceptance before Spring Break.
• Application Cycle 2 candidates will be notified about program acceptance during the second week of October.
• Application Cycle 2 for sophomores is only opened upon request. Please reach out to OPP or attend a callout session to register interest in applying for GEARE.