Working Internationally
International co-op work terms allow you to expand your horizons and industry networks as you immerse yourself in a new culture and new experiences. Join the growing numbers of Applied Science Co-op students who work internationally in over 20 countries each year. Our students work in mines in Australia, develop software in the US, plan roads in Peru and survey tunnels and dams in Japan. Our co-op career advisors are here to help you understand what’s involved when you accept an international work term. They can help you with visas, job descriptions and international orientations so that you are fully prepared to work internationally. While you’re working, our staff will maintain regular contact with both you and your employer.
WORKING INTERNATIONALLY
All students (including Canadian citizens, permanent residents and international students) who secure co-op work terms internationally are required to secure the appropriate legal paperwork and travel documents prior to departure. The UBC Applied Science Co-op Program Co-op Career Advisors assist students with the various processes, but the Program is not a legal authority on international documentation. It is it each student’s sole responsibility to ensure legal documents are attained in order to work in the country of the co-op work term.
Each student completing a work term outside of Canada must complete registration on the UBC Student Safety Abroad Registry and review the UBC Safety Abroad information and modules at safetyabroad.ubc.ca. If you are working outside Canada, you are required to submit and pay taxes in the country in which you are employed. You must also report your earnings to the Canadian government and may be required to pay additional taxes.
Let us know you’re interested! If you are a current UBC Applied Science Co-op Student and would like to begin the International Work Term job search process, please book an appointment with your co-op career advisor to discuss your interest in International Co-op and next steps.
WORKING IN THE UNITED STATES
If you’ll be working in the US for a co-op work term, you’ll need a J1 Visa before you can legally start working. For information on how to obtain a J1 Visa, please visit Cultural Vistas, a non-profit organization that assists UBC Applied Science Co-op with this process.
WORKING IN JAPAN
The Canada-Japan Co-op Program is a Canadian university/college based, international co-op and internship program linking some of the best engineering, science, business and arts discipline undergraduate students from across the country with highly committed Japanese businesses. This program is open to students from universities and colleges across Canada and is currently administered from UBC.
If you are a Canadian university or college undergraduate student and are interested in learning more about The Canada-Japan Co-op Program, or if you are an employer in Japan and interested in hiring a student, please contact coop.japan@ubc.ca.
COORDINATED INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE
Interested in other international opportunities? Check out the other opportunities for gaining international experience, including attending classes at a university in Asia, Australia or Europe through our coordinated international experience.