Step-by-Step Guide to the Application Process
The Global Programs Office and The College of New Jersey are not affiliated with work, intern, or volunteer abroad programs. We are only here to provide the resources you need to become part of these great opportunities. In order to become part of these programs, you have to do the work on your own. These step-by-step guides will help you through the process.
- 1. DECIDING IF YOU WANT A WORK, VOLUNTEER, OR INTERNSHIP PROGRAM.
-There are some questions you need to ask yourself:
How long do you want to stay? Do you want to be paid? Do you want do something that is appropriate for your major? What do you want to gain from this experience? Do you want more or less in-country support?
-INTERNSHIPS PROGRAMS: On average 2-4 months long, usually not paid, but relevant to your field/interest
-VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS: short-term, can be relevant to field/interest, often more in-country support.
-WORK PROGRAMS: long-term, usually harder to come by, so may not be relevant to field/interest.
- 2. DECIDING WHERE YOU WANT TO GO.
-Because you will be spending a lot of time in your country of choice, it is important to make sure you will be comfortable in the place you will be going. There are some questions you need to ask yourself:
Do I want the country to be English speaking? Do I want it to be warm/cold while I am there? Will I be comfortable in a place where I do not understand the language? Where is somewhere I have always wanted to travel to? What language have I wanted to learn? Etc.
- FINDING THE BEST PROGRAM FOR YOU
-Click FIND A PROGRAM! to search through the database of programs available to you. Make sure you consider the following of each program and how it fits your own needs:
How much money are you willing to spend?
Do you want to be paid?
What are the housing options? Will they help you find housing? Will you be at a home-stay or with other participants?
Where will you be working? What will you be doing? How does this fit into your professional goals?
How long is the program?
Are travel costs included?
What safety measures does the program have?
Are there excursions that the program offers?
What will my work schedule be like?
What kind of supervision and guidance is there in-country?
-If the programs on FIND A PROGRAM! are not peeking your interests, then use the databases we have also listing under that link to search for more opportunities!
- 4. IF YOU ARE SEEKING ACADEMIC CREDIT, FIND OUT NOW IF YOU CAN GET IT.
-If you can’t do the program without any sort of academic credit, now if the time to follow the steps listed here to see if academic credit is an option.
- 5. CONTACT YOUR PROGRAM OF CHOICE AND APPLY!
-DO NOT BE SHY! Ask them the questions that are important to you in order to make sure this is the right choice. Make sure you have enough time to begin the application process.
-RESUMES/CV-Many programs require a Curriculum Vitae or CV to apply. CV’s can look different than a resume. In order to make sure you are writing your CV properly, make an appointment at Career Services or check out: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/641/01/
-RECOMMENDATIONS- If a program requires recommendations from your professors, make sure you ask your professor at least a month in advance to give them time to write it!
Next: I’m Accepted! Now What?: Preparing to Leave