ENGINEERING
The majority of future job growth is likely to be in science, technology and engineering. While most engineering programs will provide students with cutting-edge resources and valuable hands-on experience, a study abroad program will provide students with a cultural experience that can prove to be extremely valuable.
Most programs abroad are developed with local, key industry experts informing the curriculum. Students can learn first-hand about the unique challenges of clean energy in Queensland, Australia; use of thermal energy for heating and cooling in London, England; or building structures in Ras Al Khaimah, U.A.E.
Engineers will play a pivotal part in shaping our future and solving many of the world’s grand challenges, whether it’s behind the scenes like C++ or as president of the United States.
It is quite common for engineering curriculum to be fairly similar throughout the world. Engineering students should be able to find comparable coursework abroad. Through an international experience, students improve collaboration and communication skills, particularly in a cross-cultural environment. They build transferable skill sets in versatility, creativity, an increased sensitivity to societal contexts and awareness of ethical differences across cultures and prepare students to embrace the global mindset of their colleagues with diverse backgrounds and operational models.
Subjects
KEI offers a wide range of engineering subjects. Click on a subject area to view program locations that offer courses in that subject.
Alumnus Spotlight
Kevin Roemer
Major: Software Engineering
Program: Computer Science & Software Engineering
Location: Bangkok, Thailand
Mr. Roemer is a Chicago based serial-entrepreneur having started multiple companies since his graduation from the Illinois Institute of Technology. He is currently the Co-Founder and Creative Director of FUND Conference, a Venture Capital summit bridging the gap between entrepreneurs and investors, with over 4,000 attendees since its inception in 2014. He has previously served as the Director of Technology for K9 Fit Club a nationally recognized human-K9 lifestyle company teaching health and wellness for both humans and their K9s. He was as the founder and CTO of Brandless, a full service creative agency specializing in branding, strategy and web development.
“KEI provided me an experience that simply could not be had on your own. I consider myself to be a very proactive and self sufficient person both as an individual and as a student. However the relationships that KEI has created with educational institutions will set you up to have one of the most engaging and memorable educational and explorative experiences of your life. If you are interested in putting yourself out there, meeting people, and learn things you never thought you could then throw yourself headfirst into one of KEI’s programs.”
Institutional Spotlight
Griffith University, Australia
Griffith University is a leading institution of higher learning and research in Australia. Researchers at the Griffith develop new knowledge in a range of specialist areas including engineering, emerging technologies, computing, physical sciences and material science. The institutes and centers align with the four academic faculties at the university, with the cutting-edge research helping to inform curriculum, allowing students to engage with world-class researchers in the classroom, laboratories and real-world environments.
Employability & Education Abroad
Education abroad has been shown to have significant impact on learning, academic performance, graduation, careers, and personality development. Below is a summary of results from notable studies on the impact of education abroad.
| Careers, Salaries & Job Skills | |
|---|---|
97% |
of study abroad students found employment within 12 months of graduation, when only 49% of college graduates found employment in the same period. (1) Among study abroad alumni, 90% landed a job within 6 months. (2, 11) |
25% |
higher starting salaries: that’s how much more study abroad students earn than those college graduates who do not study abroad.(1) This equates to approx. $7,000 annually for US students. (3) |
90% |
of study abroad alumni who applied got into their 1st or 2nd choice grad school. (1) |
84% |
of study abroad alumni felt their studies abroad helped them build valuable skills for the job market. (4) A second study confirms this at 85%. (9) |
40% |
of US businesses failed to expand due to a dearth of staff international experience. (13) |
80% |
of study abroad students reported that study abroad allowed them to better adapt to diverse work environments. (4) |
70% |
of study abroad alumni claimed that because of study abroad they were more satisfied with their jobs. (4) |
59% |
of employers said study abroad would be valuable in an individual’s career later on with their organization. (10) |
34% |
of study abroad alumni claimed that study abroad helped them choose their career field. (4) |
19% |
lower unemployment rates were found among study abroad alumni according to a British study. (4) |
| Graduation & Academic Performance | |
100% |
greater improvement in GPA post-study abroad. Students who studied abroad saw their GPAs rise twice as quickly as their peers. (8) |
19% |
more likely to graduate: that describes how study abroad participants are more likely to graduate than non-participants. (5, 6, 7) |
| Personal Growth | |
97% |
of study abroad alumni attributed study abroad to increased maturity. (12) |
96% |
of study abroad alumni claimed an increase in self-confidence attributed to study abroad. (12) |
89% |
of study abroad alumni reported that study abroad facilitated a greater tolerance for ambiguity. (12) |
| Resources | |
| 1 | Benefits of Study Abroad |
| 2 | New Survey Shows College Graduates Who Study Abroad Land Career-Related Jobs Sooner, with Higher Starting Salaries |
| 3 | How Higher Education Affects Lifetime Salary |
| 4 | AIFS Study Abroad Outcomes |
| 5 | UC San Diego Study: 2011 EAP and OAP Retention, Graduation, and Time-to-Degree Combined |
| 6 | Go Abroad and Graduate On-Time: Study Abroad Participation, Degree Completion, and Time-to-Degree |
| 7 | The Effect of Study Abroad on College Completion in a State University System |
| 8 | Academic Outcomes of Study Abroad |
| 9 | The Impact of Studying Abroad on Recent College Graduates’ Careers |
| 10 | Employers Value Candidates Who Study Abroad |
| 11 | Mobile Students More Likely to Have a Job |
| 12 | How More Study Abroad Programmes Could Benefit Society |
| 13 | Paul Simon Study Abroad Act Back on Legislative Cards |
HOST COUNTRIES
