Five Brilliant Reasons to Work a Summer Abroad in the USA
Summer feels like a hard-earned reward after University Exams are over. The sun’s finally out, and Summer is stretching ahead of you like an open road. But did you know, the really smart graduates are using that Summer to get ahead – without compromising on time or fun? UK graduates, like you, are setting themselves apart with international work experience in the United States, through CIEE’s Summer Programme USA. Whether the streets of New York, wilds of Colorado, or beaches of California are more your scene, there’s opportunities across the majority of states – you just need to find the right one for you.
Part thrill, part career move - here's five reasons why you should consider it.
1. More than a job on your local high street
Having a job while you’re at uni is important – and through the Summer you’re likely to ramp up those hours and make some cash while you can. But why limit yourself to the daily stomp along your local high street? Get that same experience, at the other side of the Atlantic.
You’ll work and live alongside people from the USA and other countries; a global network that will stay with you for decades to come. Working abroad often comes with a strong community element, perfect for forming strong bonds, fast. It’s also great for gaining an international perspective - something that not all your academic and professional peers will have.
2. See the states as a local
The time you get to spend travelling during a Summer working abroad isn’t an experience like being a tourist. You’re there for a longer period of time, with other international workers and locals, so you’ll get a more authentic experience of what life is really like in America. Think barbecues, road-trips, and fourth of July fireworks with insider knowledge provided by your knew colleagues and friends.
Swap well-trodden tourist routes for hotspots identified by real people; and plan it all for yourself from the comfort of your base, in a part of America that you choose.
3. A competitive edge for the world of work
The world of work is competitive now. And setting yourself apart with something unusual and brave can quite often make you stand out in a crowded room. International experience is a true, tangible boost to your CV. You’ll develop valuable, transferable skills like communication, teamwork, leadership, and adaptability – all while showing potential employers that you are bold and brave enough to seize an opportunity.
Yes – stacking shelves in Tesco shows you’re hardworking, but a summer spent working in the United States also comes with bragging rights.
4. An opportunity to know yourself
For so many people, University is your first taste of freedom; of life away from home. But being in a different country presents a fresh opportunity to get to know yourself. It’s an eye-opening cultural exchange which can make you question what you know about the world, about other cultures, and help you hone a new level of independence as you manage your own time, money, travel and relationships, thousands of miles from home.
Maybe you’ll start to notice things you take for granted in the UK and miss, or maybe you’ll discover that you had know idea how people live outside of your own bubble. It’s all experience, growth, and great for your personal development.
5. It’s your time to grab the opportunity
University Summers are a unique time – it’s your last time in your life, where a three-month period spans ahead of you with minimal commitment. Once you enter the world of work, you’ll have more responsibilities, duties, bills even – and six weeks holiday to spread across the entire year.
After two semesters of essays, reading, lectures, and exams – a Summer of work in the USA is a total break from routine. And it’s unlikely that you’ll get the chance to do it again, so now’s the time for action!
If you’ve had a reasonable but less than stellar summer – consider shaking it up for 2026. With a working Summer in the USA, you’ll have a perspective-shifting experience that pays you back, throughout your career, in more ways than one. So, if you’re ready to think about Summer 2026 – campfires, big city lights, and wild nature in abundance – take a look at our Summer Programmes at CIEE. The right opportunity for you, is just a few clicks away.