The primary purpose of participating in an NC State study abroad program is to earn academic credit. As a general rule, foreign students in most countries may not work for pay while on a student visa. However some programs do allow the opportunity for students to volunteer, engage in an internship for academic credit, work part-time for pay, or (in a few cases) engage in an internship for pay during or after the study abroad program.
Before listing the general opportunities available, we'd like to give you a few basic rules to keep in mind:
Most of these options cannot be arranged in advance; although general information about opportunities is available, specific work or volunteer options can usually be arranged only after arrival.
If the program you are interested in allows for a paid work option, bear in mind that you should not count on employment while abroad as a primary means of financial support.
It is not advisable to work illegally! If you are studying in a country which does not allow foreign students to work, penalties for working illegally may include deportation, fines, and restrictions on entering the country in the future.
Options by Country
Note: if a country is not listed, we are not aware of any specific work/volunteer/internship options for students participating in those exchanges. Work regulations for foreign students are subject to the host country immigration laws and may change at any time!
Australia - All institutions
International students participating in exchanges in Australia may work for pay part-time (no more than 20 hours per week) while school is in session and full-time during vacation periods. Work permits can be obtained after arrival in Australia through your host institution and cost 50 Australian dollars.
Finland - All institutions
International students participating in exchanges in Finland are allowed to work for pay part-time (no more than 20 hours per week) while school is in session and full-time during Christmas and summer breaks.
France - Univeriste de Technologie de Compiegne
Students in technical and science fields enrolling in the exchange at UTC for the fall semester may participate in a paid or unpaid internship in their field of study during the spring semester. The international office at UTC will assist students in arranging placements.
France - Universite Catholique de Lille
Business students studying at IESEG may participate in full-time paid or unpaid internships during the late spring (for full year students) or early summer (for spring semester students). IESEG will assist students in arranging placements.
Germany- All institutions
International students studying in Germany for a full academic year can often arrange a paid internship during the February-March two month break between semesters. Students must find their own placements, but the international office and/or career service office at the German university can assist students in finding job search resources.
Ghana - University of Ghana
Opportunities for volunteer/community service work in non-profit and government organizations are numerous in Accra and the Resident Directors can assist students with serious interests to locate such opportunities. Some examples of work available in the past include working in a local health clinic, interning for a non-profit environmental agency, tutoring students in local schools, interning with a local newspaper or radio station, assisting the U.S. Information Service in advising Ghanaian students who want to study in the U.S.
Ireland - University College Cork
Participants can apply for for-credit unpaid internships with the international office, Boole library, the International Famine Center, the Irish Centre for Migration Studies, the Freshwater Ecology Laboratory, and the departments of Law, Philosophy, and Government.
Japan - All institutions
International students participating in exchanges in Japan may apply for work permission from the local immigration bureau after arrival. Such permission is normally granted and students may work for pay up to 14 hours per week during the semester and full-time during semester breaks.
Mexico - ITESM
ITESM can arrange unpaid internships worth 3 or 6 credits for exchange students. Placements are available in banks, businesses, and schools. ITESM also arranges volunteer work for interested students in areas such as adult education programs, physically and mentally challenged children, human rights organizations, shelters and hospitals.
The Netherlands - All institutions
International students with a residence permit (obtained after arrival) may apply for a part-time work permit for pay provided they work less than ten hours per week. The employer must apply for a work permit for you and you must obtain a letter from your host institution stating that the employment will not hinder your academic work.
United Kingdom - All institutions
Students participating in full year exchanges in the UK are allowed to work for pay part-time (no more than 20 hours per week) while enrolled in a British University. Students who will be studying in the UK for less than 6 months may request permission for this benefit from the Immigration Service when entering the UK; permission is generally granted but is not automatic as it is for students who will be in the UK for an academic year.
