Biomedical engineers increasingly function in a global marketplace, addressing issues of human health around the world and capitalizing on international biomedical engineering expertise and resources. Your vision for your own international career may range from working for a large multinational corporation to volunteering your biomedical skills in impoverished regions of the world. Whatever your vision, there are several things you can do to best position yourself for success. First and foremost, strive to excel in your core engineering studies. Solid engineering skills are essential to effective work in the international arena. In addition, take advantage of study abroad opportunities!
If you are interested in studying abroad as a BME, please follow these steps:
1. Learn More About Study Abroad Through VU and Research Different Study Abroad Programs!
Great resources for this step in the process include the VUSE Study Abroad page and the Global Education Office (GEO) .
2. Plan Your 8-Semester Curriculum
Use the applicable BME 4 Year Curriculum Spreadsheet: 4 Year Curriculum Spreadsheet. This will be required later on when you are filing for advisor and DUS approval.
3. Apply!
Apply at this link: Study Abroad Application
4. Receive Acceptance Into Your Program
Once you have been accepted to your program in the GEO system, other requirements and information will become available. At this point, log into your GEO account and click on the link that directs you back to this page.
5. Fill Out the BME Study Abroad Advisor Approval Form
At this link: Advisor Approval
After you have been accepted to your program and notified by your acceptance by GEO, you need to fill out the BME Study Abroad Advisor Approval Form. In order to complete your Advisor Approval Form, you will be required to upload a link to your 4 Year Curriculum Spreadsheet. To do so, upload your personalized version of your spreadsheet to Google Sheets. Then, copy and paste the link to your sheet into your BME Study Abroad Advisor Approval Form when requested by the form. Finally, be sure that the uploaded version of your spreadsheet is set to where anyone with the link can view it.
6. Follow Up With Your Advisor
They will receive your completed web form application upon submission. If needed, set up an appointment to discuss any concerns. Your advisor will need to submit approval to the Director Undergraduate Studies (DUS) in BME, Dr. Amanda Lowery, via another web form that they will receive with your approval form information.
7. If for Any Reason, You Decide to Change What Courses You Are Taking Abroad, You Must Resubmit for Academic Advisor and DUS Approval Through the Course Change Form.
At this link: Course Change
Once your advisor has submitted approval, Dr. Lowery will receive notification of your advisor’s approval and be given a form to submit to GEO. After Dr. Lowery has given approval, she will submit approval to GEO only for the courses and institution(s) that you have submitted for approval, and you will be notified. If for any reason, you decide to change what courses you are taking abroad, you must resubmit for academic advisor and DUS approval through the form linked above.
8. Have a Great Semester Abroad!
In addition to the engineering study abroad options, there are some summer programs offered through VU's Global Education Office that are focused more on the liberal arts that can also contribute to your preparation for success in the international arena:
International service experiences: Participate in one of VU's international service learning options such as Engineers Without Borders, international options within Alternative Spring Break, and VISAGE.
International design projects: In the capstone senior design course, BME 4950/4951, you and your team members will complete a design project; choose one of the many international projects offered each year. Consider cultivating your own international contacts to propose a new project. Pay special attention also to the international design standards material available to you in this course.
Foreign language courses: Vanderbilt offers courses in Chinese, French, German, Greek, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish. Language courses count toward the Liberal Arts Core (LAC) requirement for your engineering degree.
McTyeire International House: Live in McTyeire International House where you will use your foreign language skills and increase your awareness of different cultures. McTyeire offers programs to students seeking to improve their fluency in French, German, Japanese, Chinese, Spanish, Italian or Russian as well as a program, offered in English, to students seeking to learn more about international topics.