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[gohighered]

Hello!

I am wondering how difficult and/or feasible it is for a U.S. citizen to work at a university in Europe (Italy, UK, France, Greece) in a student affairs-related position. I am aware of the EU citizenship which will provide you with far greater employment opportunities, but also if this is the case does anyone have any knowledge/feedback on the prospect of an internship abroad in a university for a short-time?

I would like to gain international experience working at a university or private education firm such as a study abroad firm but not sure which route is the most feasible. Does anyone have any insight into whether universities and/or private study abroad, international education firms will sponsor professionals for internships?

Thank you in advance for your feedback!

[goldenapple]

I think the easiest route would be to work for a U.S. program in Europe. These jobs aren't easy to get, and positions like "country coordinator' for an international program usually go to someone already living in the country (and usually an in-country national). If you want an internship, you might start off with an internship in the U.S. with one of these organizations.

[gohighered]

Thank you goldenapple. Helpful information. I was looking into John Cabot University which has a campus in Italy, as well as the American Universities in...I believe Butler University has a number of campuses and it may seem most appropriate to work in the U.S. first and then build the network for overseas..? I was also thinking of going directly to one of the offices overseas at one of these institutions to inquire, thoughts?

[secretweapon]

There are hundreds of study abroad programs in Europe, some for-profit, some non-profit, some run by US universities.  There's a mailing list - I think it's called SECUSS - for study abroad professionals - you might find it on google.  They sometimes have job postings.  If you want to work in study abroad you probably need some international experience already.

[gohighered]

Thanks secretweapon, I wasn't aware of that listserve..

[notaprof]

Do you speak Italian, French or Greek?  Did you study abroad in one of those countries?  If so, contact the program you studied with to see if they have openings.  

In most cases you have to be legal to work that country in order to get the available jobs.  And in order to go through the process to be legal to work in that country, you already have to have a job. So it can be a catch 22.  It used to be easier and it is getting harder and harder to do as every country seems to be adding more and more red tape to immigration processes.

Study abroad organizations do manage to have people paid in the US who work abroad, but usually they want someone from that country or someone with previous experience living and working in that county.  Or one of their US employees in the organization, moves over to a position abroad.  So check on positions with US organizations working in study abroad or US colleges that have their own study abroad programs for openings. Study abroad jobs are pretty desirable and very competitive.  Look in the usual places for jobs.  Please don't try cold calling places to see if they have openings.  That never works and is just annoying.  If there is a job, it will be advertised.  Join NAFSA and get on the SECUSS-L listserv and watch for job announcements.  Note the job requirements for the positions you want and make sure you have the experience they are looking for.  

Watch out for some of the internships programs that are advertised.  You pay a hefty fee to participate in them.  If you are a recent graduate, there are some work abroad programs you are eligible to try up to 6 months after graduation but jobs are never guaranteed and are more in the area of restaurant and retail work.  There are Teach Abroad programs where you pay a fee and are given a bit of training and then placed in a teaching position, usually in developing countries.  Check out Transitions Abroad  and Dave's ESL Cafe for other work possiblities.  Apply for a Fulbright and make connections while you are abroad.  However, the places you mention are the places there are least likely to be opportunities and the places most US citizens want to be.  But maybe you'll get lucky.  Good luck.  Or check with that other poster who wants to work in the US.  Maybe you two can arrange a job swap.

On preview, some of this was already said by faster posters but here it is anyway.

[goldenapple]

Thank you goldenapple. Helpful information. I was looking into John Cabot University which has a campus in Italy, as well as the American Universities in...I believe Butler University has a number of campuses and it may seem most appropriate to work in the U.S. first and then build the network for overseas..? I was also thinking of going directly to one of the offices overseas at one of these institutions to inquire, thoughts?

secretweapon is right -- there are so many programs that it's hard to know where to start. I wouldn't bother going into an overseas office at this point. You'd be better off getting experience at a study-abroad office or program here and then seeing what you can do elsewhere. The other hurdle you face is that student affairs is all about helping students through a particular university system in a particular culture. And if you don't already know how everything (not just the university, but also housing, transportation, health care, and even local politics!) works in Sweden or Italy or wherever, then you're at a disadvantage.

Once you have some student affairs experience, though, you might be able to find work through a U.S. program or even work in one of the new private universities (usually business schools) popping up all over Europe.  

Also take a look at things like iiepassport.org , studentsabroad.com, and studyabroad.com


Good luck!

[gohighered]

notaprob and goldenapple - super helpful information! I am fluent in Greek and have working knowledge of French so I am slowly but surely trying to become multi-lingual. I hadn't realized how competitive the study abroad jobs are that you mentioned.. I am actually looking at that as well in the states; have some leads but the process is long...keeping fingers crossed though!

I like the suggestion for getting in touch with the other poster about a potential job swap...that would be quite convenient. I have some international experience and am a native of Greece, so I am seeing how this will come to my advantage (still in the process of EU citizenship though..) I know that study abroad and international education are growing fields but it seems like there are limited job openings even in the U.S NAFSA has about 41 right now, nationally..

[boggy]

I run a study abroad program for an American college in Europe (sorry, we already have a student affairs person!).

One big reason that you're best off targeting US study abroad programs is that student affairs in European universites (at least the ones I know) really don't do student affairs in the same way that US colleges do.  European universities don't provide the same housing, safety, activities that US colleges do, so they just don't have the staff.  When I was hiring for our student affairs person I was shocked at the lack of experience on the CVs that I saw, and started to ask around at local universities.  They don't really have such positions (at least not in large numbers), so therefore people don't really have that kind of experience.  I ended up hiring an American that had lots of experience and happened to have just relocated to Europe (with a work permit in hand).  Once you get that EU citizenship it will be much easier for you.

I would think that London would be the best place for you to start looking.  There are probably 100 study abroad programs with a physical base there.  There are also hundreds of language schools out there...many of them would have student affairs positions but they are notorious for low pay and working people to death.  EF language schools is one of the biggies.

Send me a PM if you want more information.

[wegie]

Following up what Boggy said, a lot of what would be student affairs posts in the US (entertainment, some welfare, counselling) are often run by the student union rather than by the university in the UK. Whilst the elected union officers change every year, they do employ a number of permanent members of staff, which would be where you might fit in.

[gohighered]

boggy - thank you so much! I would very much appreciate additional information if you can provide this. If any specific programs and/or physical institutions come to the top of your mind within the London region that would great if you could share those with me.