The MechE students also learned the importance of


communicating ideas effectively and appropriately in the face of language and age differences, as well as cultural barriers—skills that are critical in today’s diverse, multi- cultural engineering field. “The biggest challenge for me was communication,”


says Clair Hann, a MechE junior minoring in Robotics. “After overcoming the challenge of explaining structural integrity to non-English-speaking six-year-olds, I felt I could do anything. As the week went on, and we did the same projects several times over, we could more effec- tively explain difficult concepts such as converting potential energy into kinetic energy when building mousetrap cars.”


“In Manila, we didn’t have trouble


finding homes to rebuild or people in need, and we were unbelievably well-received,” Reid says. “There is much more work to do, so it makes sense for us to return there.” As the ISLE program continues to develop, the destina-


tions, number of students, and timing of future trips may vary. However, the Department recognizes the growing need for opportunities abroad—and will continue to offer a diverse set of experiences, including academic study, research, internships, and service-based learning. “International experiences impact our students in substantial ways,” says Aubry. “Our students report that travel abroad provides them with increased


Perhaps the biggest lesson learned by the student


participants was the satisfaction of completing an important job. “At Carnegie Mellon, we are taught to think, reason,


and attack challenges systematically. It’s often an exercise in endurance. We spend many hours, many years on our studies, and when we want to give up, we know that we have to keep going,” Som-Pimpong says. “Those lessons carried over to our work in the Philippines. Through the heat, difficult challenges, and setbacks that naturally occurred, we also learned endurance. We know we can keep going.”


Outreach: Part of the New Engineering Skill Set Based on the tangible results and positive feedback gener- ated by the Manila trip, future ISLE delegations are already in development, including the Department’s planned trip to Jamaica during Carnegie Mellon’s Spring Break in March 2011 and a return to Manila in May 2011.


problem-solving skills, an improved ability to adapt to new environments and take risks, better foreign language and general communication skills, a stronger interest in other cultures, an enhanced awareness and appreciation of their home culture, and a global context for their work. Following service-based trips like the recent one to Manila, students also return with an incredible motivation to impact the world as engineers. My goal is for every MechE student to have such an experience by the time they graduate.” “Travel abroad should be a mandatory part of an


engineering education,” Hann agrees. “You cannot maximize your potential by living only in a world of theory and equations. You also need to go out there and gain hands-on experience. I am grateful to the Department for providing this opportunity, and I hope the Department will plan similar trips in the future.”•


CARNEGIE MECH


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