Students at Ohio State are given the opportunity to take their studies elsewhere, but only a few know about the 80 countries that offer internships abroad.

The International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience Program asks OSU students to look at their study abroad options carefully.

IAESTE is an international program that coordinates internships for students in technical fields. This program started in England approximately 50 years ago and found a home at OSU in 2004. Presently about 30 universities in the U.S. are running the program.

Michael Hagen, president of IAESTE at OSU, said it is an excellent opportunity for students that are looking to expand their studies internationally.

Hagen said with 80 countries involved with the program, students have numerous destinations to chose from.

IAESTE sent five students on internships abroad during summer 2005. The places of study were Germany, Brazil, Thailand and Estonia.

Marija Brdarski, a senior in architecture, participated in the summer internship. Brdarski traveled to Estonia to work at a local architecture firm for three months.

She said the internship was beneficial because she was able to work in her field of study.

Brdarski first heard about the program by doing research on study abroad programs at OSU. She said she found IAESTE on a flyer that was posted on campus.

She said she would recommend this program to anyone.

“You learn a lot more about yourself and your goals for the future,” Brdarski said.

Jenna Davis, a representative for IAESTE, said she plans to work internationally and questions why anyone would not want to get involved with a program such as this one.

“To work internationally is amazing and they pay for you,” she said.

Hagen said IAESTE is trying to get more students involved by posting flyers on campus and sending e-mails out to those in engineering, architecture and science programs. He said scholarships are provided for students who need help with traveling expenses.

Aside from internships, students can also attend leadership conferences abroad that are often sponsored by OSU. Hagen said he has traveled abroad for a leadership conference and the entire trip cost $30. He said it is a worthwhile program for students looking to meet people with different backgrounds and experience studying in a completely different culture.

Hagen said it is easy to get involved, but students have to want to take that first step.

“The best way to get an internship abroad is getting involved,” Hagen said.