How useful is study abroad in terms of employability?

Applying to College
1

I am majoring in Biological Engineering at Cornell University, and I am interested in doing the summer exchange program at Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, where I would be able to take up to 9 credits over the summer. I would probably use the time to take classes in order to fulfill my liberal arts requirement.

However, that since I will spend the summer taking classes abroad, I won’t be able to get an internship over the summer, which I’m afraid will affect my employability. Also, since I’m currently a sophomore, I only have 2 summers left before I graduate, so I know it is important for me to gain some work experience (I spent last summer also taking classes), and I’m worried that only getting one internship won’t be enough.

2

Wouldn’t it depend on what kind of job you want? If you are going straight into a lab managing petri dishes, I doubt Honk Kong on your resume would add much. But if you’re aspiring to be a manager in an international company, it might. Go with your gut - if it’s what you want to do - not with your head.

3

I’d go with the Hong Kong program this summer, internship next summer - but you can also try to have an externshipd during the year junior year if you worry a summer internship won’t be enough, or co-op/externship/internship credit during your senior year. :slight_smile: