Double Major...International Studies and Civil Engineering

College Majors
1

<p>Is anyone attempting the combination of international studies and civil engineering?</p>

<p>I would very much welcome your thoughts, insights, and experiences to this combination...
I am a senior in high school who sees herself working for an NGO or government agency. Truthfully, I am passionate about this work and to better prepare myself I spent my junior year in high school in Belgium... It was an incredible experience and now that I am back in the U.S. I am ready to press on. </p>

<p>Recommendations to schools and other thoughts would be most appreciated.</p>

<p>Hannah B.</p>

2

<p>Rutgers University (New Brunswick) has a really good engineering program. I don’t think it would be a good idea to pair up engineering with another major that is totally different, because if you do international studies along with it, you may spend 6+ years in undergrad, using up your time and MONEY. Something like a double major in math and engineering is good bc there is an overlap of math courses. But international studies?? Also, engineering classes have a high failure rate , so I think you should just focus on majoring in engineering alone to maintain your gpa. With a BS in engineering, you’ll have jobs lined up for you before you even graduate.</p>

3

<p>A lot depends on the curriculum of the engineering program. Many engineering programs are fairly structured and sequential with little room for electives.</p>

<p>An alternative is to consider a program in international engineering. Many schools offer such programs. See my post in this thread:
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/engineering-majors/1201485-should-i-consider-different-major-if-i-want-work-abroad.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/engineering-majors/1201485-should-i-consider-different-major-if-i-want-work-abroad.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Another alternative is to find a joint program in engineering program and international development studies. This might wor well with civil engineering if you have an interest in development. Here are some examples:
<a href=“http://www.eng.uwo.ca/civil/undergraduate_program/CEE%20Program%20Fliers/Civil%20and%20International%20Development.pdf[/url]”>http://www.eng.uwo.ca/civil/undergraduate_program/CEE%20Program%20Fliers/Civil%20and%20International%20Development.pdf&lt;/a&gt;
[Civil</a> & Environmental Engineering - Colorado State University](<a href=“http://www.engr.colostate.edu/ce/academicprograms/intlwater.cfm?Source=Main]Civil”>http://www.engr.colostate.edu/ce/academicprograms/intlwater.cfm?Source=Main)
[Combining</a> programs - International Development Studies - Dalhousie University](<a href=“http://www.dal.ca/academics/programs/undergraduate/ids/what_will_I_learn/combining_programs.html]Combining”>http://www.dal.ca/academics/programs/undergraduate/ids/what_will_I_learn/combining_programs.html)
[Engineering</a> and International Studies<a href=“And,%20yes,%20some%20of%20these%20are%20at%20Canadian%20unis.%20Don’t%20overlook%20them—much%20less%20expensive%20than%20the%20US%20and,%20since%20you%20studied%20in%20Belgium,%20you%20might%20have%20an%20interest%20in%20French%20which%20you%20could%20continue%20to%20pursue%20in%20Canada.”>/url</a></p>

<p>Here are some other examples of international activities for engineering students:
<a href=“https://www.engineeringforchange.org/news/2013/02/04/education_with_conscience_academic_programs_for_engineering_for_global_development.html[/url]”>Engineering for Global Development: Academic Programs Worldwide | Engineering For Change](<a href=“http://www.eng.mcmaster.ca/engandsoc/international.html]Engineering”>http://www.eng.mcmaster.ca/engandsoc/international.html)</a>
[Engineers</a> Without Borders International Opportunities:  Work Opportunities, Scholarships, Fellowships, Internships, Training, Educational Programs](<a href=“http://www.ewb-international.org/opportunities.htm]Engineers”>http://www.ewb-international.org/opportunities.htm)
[Duke</a> Engineers for International Development](<a href=“http://deid.pratt.duke.edu/]Duke”>http://deid.pratt.duke.edu/)
[HE</a> Students](<a href=“Humanitarian Engineering - Humanitarian Engineering”>Humanitarian Engineering - Humanitarian Engineering)</p>