Innovation In A Large Scale Study Abroad Program In Engineering (original) (raw)

In recent years study-abroad experience in collegiate education has become highly valued by both academia and non-academic employers. For a variety of reasons, developing this type of program in engineering education is particularly difficult. This paper presents an innovative study-abroad program in engineering education recently developed at Michigan State University in collaboration with the Volgograd State University of Architectural and Civil Engineering in Volgograd, Russia. This program successfully addresses such academic challenges in engineering education as the inherent vertical structure of scientific curricula, courses with laboratory requirements, ABET accreditation, and accelerated summer course calendars. Engineering disciplines included are civil engineering, environmental engineering, mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, statistics, and construction management. Also featured in this program is a unique curricular collaboration between the humanities and engineering. The paper also discusses the program's treatment of such logistical issues as student safety, moving large groups of students through a cultural landscape where Russian language proficiency is a necessity, as well as ensuring the financial solvency of the program. Finally, we describe the benefit of multi-institution collaboration and technology exchange in student/faculty research and teaching, both within the Michigan region and with partner Russian academic institutions.