An international fellowship experience for engineering undergraduates: Improving technical, teamwork, and cultural competency

Abstract

The opportunity to partake in an international technical experience is rare for undergraduate engineering students. While these programs are not common, this international exposure provides highly valuable educational experiences for students. This work highlights the approach, goals, outcomes, and improvements of year one in a three-year program where students applied engineering methods in a developing country to improve the design and fabrication of a low cost prosthetic limb known as the Jaipur Foot. Specifically, six students travelled to Jaipur, India to partake in not only technical work, but to also gain insight into how cultural differences affect engineering practice and to learn about the appropriate use of technology in the developing world. In summary, students developed important practical skills, but perhaps more importantly they acquired valuable communication skills and an understanding of the greater clinical impact of their work. This work supports the notion that global competency for engineers should be obtained through direct experiences in a different culture.

Publication Title

International Journal of Engineering Education

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