International Co-op: Much More Than a Visit Abroad

A growing number of UC students are spending one or more quarters studying abroad. The International Co-op Program (ICP), which is administered through the Institute for Global Studies and Affairs, provides students with the opportunity to travel abroad while gaining valuable on-the-job experience with major corporations.

In 1906 Herman Schneider, dean of the

College of Engineering

, founded the country's first cooperative education program. UC continues to be a co-op leader, running one of

largest co-op programs

in the world with more than 4,000 students and 1,400 employers participating.

The intensive ICP was established in 1991 to help young American engineers understand and deal with other cultures. Today, students in engineering, business, design, architecture and planning can participate in UC's International Co-op Program. Opportunities are available in countries speaking German, Japanese and Spanish.  Before departure, students receive extensive cultural and language preparation. Upon return, graduates find they are better prepared to deal with the professional challenges of the competitive global environment.

Steven Reese, a fifth-year student in civil and environmental engineering, was one of two who recently returned from a six-month assignment with General Electric Engine Services in Chiba, Japan. Reese came to UC because of the excellent reputation of the engineering program. He took four years of Japanese in high school and his interest in the culture spurred him to pursue co-op opportunities in Japan. 

In addition to their regular studies, ICP students spend more than 300 hours taking intensive courses in their chosen country's language, history and culture. "Even with my four-year background, it was tough," said Reese. "But in the end, it was worth all the extra work.”

Reese learned a lot from his time in Japan, but he also imparted a little bit of his homeland into the lives of his co-workers by serving them one of his favorite meals. "We wanted to treat them to some of our food," said Reese, "because they had often treated us to dinner and Japanese-style snacks. We made them Cincinnati-style chili on a camp stove and it was a huge hit."

ICP students gain a lot more than just work experience and a second language. They return to the United States with a diverse knowledge of other cultural and professional environments and a boost in self-confidence. Gayle Elliott, director of the ICP said, “The differences and difficulties they encounter, and their success in dealing with those differences, gives them a tremendous sense of confidence and willingness to assume new challenges in their personal and professional lives. Success in an environment where they don’t speak English gives them a belief they can do anything.” 

Co-op assignments for Kristin Hibbs, a senior in the architecture program at UC’s College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning (DAAP), have spanned the globe. She's currently working on an office building project in Cologne, Germany, but also has had co-op jobs in Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, London and Berlin. According to Hibbs, participation in the ICP was a big help in preparing her for other overseas experiences. She said the combination of German and architecture courses made it easy to communicate design issues, building technologies and artistic issues with her team. "We spoke only German. I felt confident in my language skills, and my co-workers are really supportive."

Immersion in a new culture can be demanding. "The work ethic in German was different than what I'd expected," said Hibbs. "It made work relationships a little difficult."

Opening a bank account, going to the grocery and explaining how you want you hair cut in a foreign language became a challenge.  "I like experiencing the new culture and becoming a part of it," said Hibbs. "I loved the moment I realized that I was 'living' and not just 'visiting' a new place."