Selecting a Project

Guidelines for Selecting Your Project

All applicants should review the information shared under the General Project Guidelines section of this page and ensure their project meets all of the requests outlined. Applicants are responsible for setting up their projects and making all of the necessary arrangements to go abroad. Applicants have the freedom to propose any project they choose, as long as it falls under the parameters of the project guidelines. There is more information about how to find research, internship, and service opportunities in the section following.

General Project Guidelines

• Projects must be a minimum of 8 weeks; recommended length is 8-10 weeks
• No matter the type of project (research, service project, or internship) an academic component related to engineering and/or the applicant’s field of study must be evident
• Both paid and unpaid projects are acceptable; however, students who are paid for their summer work abroad will have the amount of their funding reduced
• Projects associated with existing student groups (ex: Engineers Without Borders) are not eligible for funding
• When writing your proposal, if you use information from other sources, make sure to give proper citation and do not plagiarize
• Although not a technical report, your submission should not be a creative essay; instead, it should have a professional tone
• If your project changes before you leave the U.S. or once you arrive at your site, you MUST contact the Vredenburg Administrator and have your new project approved. If you fail to contact the committee, you risk losing your funding – including money you have already spent.
• If you produce any final report, publication, or presentation at the end of your experience, you should submit a copy to the Vredenburg Administrator (this particularly pertains to research projects)
• If your site supervisor provides you with an evaluation (in English), turn in a copy upon your return to campus.

Sourcing Opportunities

The Global Education Office is the preeminent resource for students interested in any sort of international experience. We encourage students to explore programs available through the Global Education Office’s program database, but they support independent international activities as well.

Whether you are pursuing applied mathematics in Denmark, an independent research opportunity in materials science with a professor in Cairo, or doing an environmental engineering service project in Malaysia to combat water pollution, an appointment with a Global Education Advisor is necessary. Approval by the Global Education Office is required before you can proceed with your Vredenburg application. To schedule an appointment with a Global Education Advisor, please use their booking portal. The office provides both in-person and virtual advising appointments every weekday.

It will be important to see what, if any, type of visa, vaccination proof, and/or other documentation may be needed depending on the proposed project location. It is advised that students begin looking into these things well before the application deadline.

GEO Exchange Partnerships

SPECIAL NOTE: WSE, in collaboration with the Global Education Office (GEO), has exchange partnerships with certain international institutions. If you are thinking of seeking opportunities at the following institutions, you must only connect with them through the established programs below. If you are applying to any of these programs, Crystal Yuille of GEO will be completing your host commitment form. Applying to these programs does not take the place of having to submit the full Vredenburg application. Applicants who want to be considered for Vredenburg funding will have to apply to both.

The below Hopkins Summer programs are sponsored through GEO and are categorized as research projects:

• Hopkins Summer Madrid (Carlos III) — Engineering Research
• Hopkins Summer Singapore (NUS) — Engineering Research
• Hopkins Summer Switzerland (EPFL) — Engineering Research
• Hopkins Summer Denmark (DTU) — Summer University

Research

If interested in conducting research, there are generally two options. One option is to find a structured study abroad program through the Global Education Office. These programs are beneficial as they are existing partnerships with international universities, have pre-approved coursework, and provide much logistical support. These programs can simplify the process for students by handling visas, housing, and credit transfers. The Global Education Office has multiple resources specifically for engineering students to find a suitable program for their path of study. Some of these programs also include research components, where students can join labs or collaborate on projects under faculty supervision.

In contrast, the other option is independently finding a research opportunity abroad. Typically, this requires more initiative and planning, but it can be immensely rewarding as you can tailor your experience more specifically to your research interests. To find independent research opportunities, students must identify potential research institutions or professors abroad whose work aligns with their interests and reach out directly to inquire about opportunities. Alternatively, you may have a connection in your professional network who you could reach out to. This route demands consistency and strong communication skills, as students may need to navigate international academic systems, secure their own accommodations, and ensure academic credit can be transferred. However, independent research abroad can offer more flexibility and the chance to work on cutting-edge projects in a highly focused area of interest.

If you are interested in an independent research project, your Life Design Educator can be an excellent resource to help you navigate the process. It is advised that students begin looking into making those connections at least 2 months before the application deadline.

Internships

International internships offer engineering students the chance to apply their technical knowledge in a global context, gain hands-on experience, and build professional networks across borders. These opportunities can enhance a resume, broaden your perspectives, and expose you to different engineering practices, regulations, and workplace cultures. One option is to find an internship is through the Global Education Office. Through partnerships with international companies or internship placement organizations, the process can be streamlined by providing a list of vetted opportunities, assistance with work visas, and academic credit options. These structured programs often have set application timelines and requirements, making them a more accessible path for students new to international experiences.

Finding an international engineering internship independently, however, typically requires more proactive effort. Students need to research companies with international presence that align with their interests and contact them directly to inquire about internship possibilities or apply through the company’s internship program. Networking through professional platforms like LinkedIn or Handshake and seeking advice from faculty or alumni with international experience can all increase the chances of finding a position.

If you are interested in an internship, your Life Design Educator can be an excellent resource to help you navigate the process. It is advised that students begin looking into making those connections at least 2 months before the application deadline.

Service Projects

International service projects provide engineering students with meaningful opportunities to apply their technical skills toward real-world challenges communities around the world face. While the Vredenburg Travel Fund doesn’t have applicants with service project proposals as often, we welcome them. These projects often focus on areas such as water and pollution management systems, renewable energy solutions, sustainable and accessible infrastructure, and technology access, though the list of possibilities continues. Participating in service-oriented initiatives helps students develop critical problem-solving, teamwork, and leadership skills while gaining a deeper understanding of global development and cultural perspectives. Many service projects are designed to combine hands-on engineering work with cultural immersion, allowing students to collaborate with local communities while contributing to impactful and sustainable solutions.

To find an international service project, students can start by exploring the Global Education Office’s program catalog, search online for programs, or they may even find an opportunity through their own network of alumni and faculty. If you are interested in engineering service projects abroad, the Global Education Office is a resource to help you look for opportunities. It is advised that students begin looking into making those connections at least 2 months before the application deadline.

Please note that travel associated with existing student organizations (ex: Engineers Without Borders) is not eligible for funding through the Vredenburg Travel Fund.