Study Abroad

Where in the world do you want to go?

Yes, engineering students do—and should!—go abroad. Through exclusive partnerships with the finest technical institutes in the world, we provide a rare opportunity to enhance your engineering education with a global perspective. All it takes is a bit of planning to pursue your degree seamlessly, maintaining the accustomed academic rigor while enjoying a new intellectual and cultural approach. There are three ways you can participate: study abroad, co-ops abroad, and Intensive Courses Abroad (ICAs).

Michael Barsoum
Materials engineering student Michael Barsoum spent four months abroad in Denmark.

For study abroad, engineering-specific programs are held in Denmark, Sweden, Germany, Hong Kong, Singapore, Israel, and other locales. For example, you can study at the KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Sweden, the University of Leeds in England, or KAIST in South Korea. Coupled with the Office of Global Engagement and Education Abroad, department advisors can help you shape your course selections with matched, credit-for-credit options. You can also search requisites by academic focus. The majority of Drexel’s programs are English-language based. See our interactive map highlighting places around the world that have welcomed Drexel engineering students.

Co-op students at airport
Four engineering students traveled to South Korea for an international co-op.

Students participating in our international co-op program have worked for BMW/Germany, Siemens Germany, Singapore Institute of Manufacturing Technology, Johnson & Johnson France, and the Nanomaterials Institute at KAIST University in Daejeon, South Korea, among many others. The Steinbright Career Development Center can help undergraduate students secure co-op opportunities in locations throughout Europe, Asia, and beyond. Visit Steinbright for more information.

Intensive Courses Abroad (ICAs) provide a shorter experience for students who want the global exposure but don’t want to commit to an entire international term. ICAs are one- to two-week focused courses run by CoE faculty members for upper-level students during term breaks. Some recent offerings include Water Resource Engineering, held in Venice; Responsive Urban Environments, held in Milan; and Ecological Design and Sustainable Natural Building, held in Israel. Or choose a non-engineering ICA, and cover some of your gen ed requirements.

Looking for information from a lifestyle perspective? A rich selection of blogs will give you insights from your peers on everything from shopping in “Time Square” in Korea to rowing in England to weekend forays in Southeast Asia.

A word on costs and scholarships: with Drexel-sponsored programs, students pay the same in tuition for study abroad as they do here at University City. Any tuition reductions, financial aid, and scholarships you receive stateside will “travel” with you. Our staff is well-prepared to give you a breakdown on what you can expect to spend.

The Office of Global Engagement and Education Abroad also provides Dragons Abroad Scholarships – about 30% of applying students qualify. Because engineering students are underrepresented among study abroad students, they can apply for a Diversity in Study Abroad scholarship with a greater chance of an award. Get more information.

Most enrollment options require no more than a two-hour pre-orientation class before departure. Plan to begin the research and application process 12- to 18-months in advance of when you want to go abroad.

Ready to apply? Reach us here. We look forward to hearing where in the world you want to go.

Elizabeth Le, BS Environmental Engineering

“The key to success is being flexible and willing to make sacrifices. If you’re aiming to study abroad as an engineer, making it your top priority will create a greater chance of success. It is not a goal that you want to leave on the backburner.”

Elizabeth Le, BS Environmental Engineering, Hanyang University in South Korea

Elizabeth’s Story