International study is an increasingly important and relevant component of undergraduate study, especially for students preparing for engineering or computer science careers. Of all the major professions, engineering and computer science are the most likely to involve international activity. In addition to strong technical skills, employers are looking for international experience, a global mindset, and an understanding of the world’s diversity.
For over 20 years in partnership with Syracuse Abroad, our College has been a national leader in providing distinctive international study opportunities. These opportunities include:
- Study at SU Centers during Fall or Spring Semesters in: Florence, London, Madrid, Santiago and Strasbourg, France.
- Study at World Partner Programs at affiliated universities in Dublin and Sydney.
- Summer Research program in Strasbourg.
The College of Engineering and Computer Science’s international study programs give students the opportunity to gain global experience, develop new ways of viewing the world, form lasting friendships abroad, and deepen their connection to other countries, languages and cultures. Students with these experiences gain a competitive edge in today’s world.
To participate, students must be in good academic and judicial standing with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better and enrolled in one of Syracuse University’s engineering, computer science, systems and information science, or equivalent programs. Participants must also meet any language requirements of the host country.
Important Application Deadlines
- Spring semester: October 15th.
- Summer semester: February 10th.
- Fall semester: February 20th.
For More Information
Contact the ECS Study Abroad Office at 130 Link Hall (or by email at mcmarce@syr.edu), or the Syracuse University Study Abroad Office, 106 Walnut Place (suabroad.syr.edu).
We also invite you to see the welcome message to parents from Syracuse Abroad.
Where You Can Study
Syracuse University Centers
London (FALL, junior year)
Third-year students in computer science can enroll at the SU London Center in the fall semester to take two major-specific courses in addition to two social science/humanities electives.
Whether you’re a budding designer, architect, actor, or simply a student of the world, your semester in London will be one of the most enriching academic and personal experiences you can undertake. Your immersion into London life comes from living in your own flat, where you will soon discover that you are part of the city’s huge assortment of smaller towns, each with its own distinct character. The Syracuse London Center is in Bloomsbury, the heart of academic London, and the staff and faculty of Faraday House are ready to help you make your time abroad the experience of a lifetime. To get a feel for what life is like on campus, check out the Syracuse London website.
Strasbourg, France (FALL, Sophomore year plus summer engineering research projects)
Second-year engineering students in aerospace, biomedical, civil, computer, electrical, environmental, and mechanical engineering can enroll at the Syracuse University Strasbourg Center in the fall semester to take all of their major-specific courses.
During your semester abroad, you’ll live in Strasbourg, a bustling and vibrant city on the border of France and Germany. You’ll begin your semester with a traveling seminar throughout the region, and you’ll have access to all of the activities and field trips arranged by the staff at the SU Strasbourg Center.
During the summer the College has approved a series of independent study research projects to be conducted at the Institut National des Sciences Appliquées in Strasbourg. Research projects are arranged in the major branches of engineering: aerospace, civil, mechanical, electrical, chemical, bioengineering, and computer science.
As an engineering intern in Strasbourg, you’ll be placed on a team of doctoral students and faculty. You’ll work as an integral part of this team on a university project and in University laboratories and research centers. Interested students may request specific information regarding projects for credit pre-approval. Since the projects are ongoing, the nature of work may vary at the time of arrival.
See what it is like to study engineering in Strasbourg
Florence (SPRING, sophomore year)
The SU Florence Center is now home to the essential spring semester courses for second-year students in aerospace, chemical, civil, environmental, and mechanical engineering. Enjoy a semester abroad without falling behind on your track to graduation!
You’ll live in Florence, a city that lives fully in both its past and its present – walking down narrow Roman streets, you’ll gain a sense of the layering of centuries that characterizes the city. You’ll live with an Italian host family and have access to all of the activities and field trips arranged by the staff at the SU Florence Center.
Madrid, Spain (First Semester, First Year)
First-year students can enroll at the SU Madrid Center for Discovery Madrid. Students participating in the Discovery Madrid program will enjoy a rich and varied introduction to Spain through a challenging semester-long curriculum. The program fulfills the same curricular requirements as those pursued by freshmen studying on the University’s main campus while providing a course schedule unique to the Madrid experience. Madrid staff helps to facilitate your immersion into the Madrid community through service learning, cross-cultural workshops, and extracurricular activities.
You’ll begin with one of several distinct Signature Seminars, which are aimed at providing the best introduction to Spain and Europe. During that time, you’ll also meet fellow classmates and SU staff and faculty. Your homestay family will introduce you to the language and customs of Spain at home, plus our cultural activities and service-learning programs will further immerse you in your new surroundings.
Note: This location only offers social science and humanities electives. No math, science, or engineering courses are offered.
Santiago, Chile
This option is for students ready to enroll in university classes in Spanish. A Spanish language exam is given upon arrival, which will determine whether or not you should continue language study. In addition to taking classes in Spanish at local Chilean universities, you’ll enroll in the required Signature Seminar, Contemporary Issues in Latin America. (A minimum of two years of college-level Spanish is required.)
World Partner Programs
Dublin
University College Dublin’s Belfield campus is a vibrant, modern university situated on a spacious and leafy campus about a 20-minute bus ride from Dublin City Centre. It is one of the 30 top research universities in the European Union with a student population of 22,000 (2,000 international students). Syracuse students choose from the same range of courses as full-degree students and are taught and examined in the same manner.
Sydney
The University of New South Wales (UNSW) is a public university of 40,000 students, of which 8,800 are international. The campus is located in Kensington, an inner suburb of Sydney, 20 minutes from the city center and within walking distance of Coogee Beach. UNSW is Australia’s leading international university with a comprehensive range of liberal arts, management and commerce (business) programs as well as extensive science, technology and engineering-based courses.
For Students
Depending on a variety of factors, including advanced placement (AP) credit, transfer credit, completed prerequisites, and major requirements, some programs may fit some students’ curricula better than others. Early planning is key. Speak with the study abroad director to see which programs, based on your major, best match your interests and needs.