International Design Project Experiences: Assessing The Short Term Impact On Students

In 2005, the Department of Civil Engineering at Rose Hulman Institute of Technology (RHIT) decided to incorporate an international component into its 18 year old capstone senior design projects. The advantages of international experiences for engineering students are well documented: • Students have the opportunity to partner with local or international organizations. • Students get exposed to international design codes and standards. • Students get to experience the global working environment. These are just a few of the benefits associated with international projects. However getting involved in foreign projects is not without its problems: • Students face challenges associated with distance (e.g., site visits). • Students have to deal with the different cultural and educational environments. • Students experience difficulty obtaining necessary data. Despite the associated challenges, the benefits to the students are seen as immediate and profound. To date, there is little or no information on assessing the short and long-term benefits of such projects. In 2006-2007 academic year, five Rose-Hulman civil engineering students designed an agricultural training facility in Ghana as part of their capstone design project. At the end of the project, in the summer of 2007, the student team had the invaluable experience of visiting Ghana. While in Ghana, they presented their final design report to both the local engineer as well as the local community; the primary beneficiaries of the project. Additionally, the student team visited a university in Ghana to explore the feasibility of collaborating with students on potential senior design projects. Excursions were organized as part of the trip to expand students’ cultural awareness.