Applications are open for a programme that offers students paid international work experience.
IAESTE (International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience), offers science, engineering, technology or applied arts students, the chance to undertake paid work placements lasting from six to 52 weeks in over 80 countries around the world.
Students could find themselves working in a wide range of areas, from cutting edge electronics in Japan, to earthquake detection technology in Colombia, with the skills they gain significantly contributing to their future employment prospects when they return to Northern Ireland.
The programme, which is managed by British Council Northern Ireland on behalf of the Department for the Economy, is open to degree level students in their second year of study and above.
In summer 2019, Finnola Mallon, a Chemistry student at Queen’s University Belfast, spent three months working for the Wanhua Chemicals Group in the Yantai, Shandong Province.
The 22-year-old said: “I took part in the IAESTE programme to allow myself the opportunity to gain relevant technical experience in my area of study. I was interested in material chemistry and found an ideal placement which gave me the opportunity to gain industrial work experience, travel, learn and experience a different culture.”
She added: “Throughout my three months in China I immersed myself into an industrial Chemical environment, a new culture and a new way of living. University or research laboratories are very different to laboratories in industry and it was a vital experience that equipped me with a phenomenal amount of technical skills that are used throughout the analytical chemical industry.
“This experience has allowed me the opportunity to expand my horizons, build on my skills, capabilities and knowledge, gain confidence in my abilities and identify the career path I would like to lead. I have made new friends from across the world for life and have expanded my personal and business networks.”
Apply for IAESTE before the deadline of November 28 2019.
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