Preparing Engineering Students To Work In A Global Environment: The Union College Model

Abstract

It is important for engineering students to develop an international perspective to practice their profession in a society that is becoming increasingly global in scope. A key element in developing this perspective is acquiring an appreciation of, and respect for, other cultures. We believe the best way to do this is through a significant international academic or experiential component in the curriculum that exposes students to a culture other than their own. This will help prepare them to live and work in an international environment. Union College has long had a strong international component in its curriculum. Part of the College's General Education Curriculum is dedicated to providing students with substantial knowledge of another culture. This has been accomplished, in part, by significant study of a foreign language or culture, but primarily through the term abroad program in which students spend a trimester living and studying in a foreign country. Prior to 1996, engineering students were exempt from this part of the General Education Curriculum and few elected to participate in the term abroad program, mainly because of perceived curricular constraints and a failure to appreciate the ultimate importance of such an experience to their personal and professional futures. However, as part of a major revision of the engineering curriculum that was implemented for the entering freshman class of 1996, all engineering students are required to satisfy this part of the curriculum. Since then, additional international study programs have been developed. These include an engineering exchange program, a "mini" or concentrated term abroad during the term break, an international term-in-industry, and the "international virtual design experience". Now engineering students have a variety of options from which to choose that will help them to develop the ability to function and interact with people in a foreign culture. This paper describes these different programs and discusses the process used to establish and support them.