Why is Study Abroad required?
In order for the United States to remain a leader in science and technology, an educated workforce is needed capable of working in an international research environment and in a global market. By participating in study abroad, students can acquire the international experience they will need to compete in the job market, while at the same time gain valuable cross-cultural skills and, when relevant, learn another language. In addition, such international experience promotes flexibility, autonomy, leadership skills, innovation, maturity, ambition, and independence. It is the kind of high level, first-hand overseas experience that many progressive and smart employers seek from new employees.
The program provides students with a global perspectives component to their study best fulfilled by having students participate in one quarter/semester of a study abroad experience, with the further opportunity to work on an overseas research/development project during that time. The study abroad aspect of this program makes the program highly competitive with many of the top interdisciplinary engineering, arts and sciences programs currently enrolling students around the country. Because of the importance of the study abroad experience, all efforts will be made to make sure that this is a viable and affordable option for the students.
The study abroad experience is designed to provide an opportunity for each student to:
- deepen his/her knowledge of how technology interacts with culture both at home and abroad;
- be a contributing member of an interdisciplinary, international team to initiate, work on, and refine a project;
- reflect on one’s own experience and the experience of others in this endeavor.
Cal Poly offers a wide variety of study abroad programs. Students pursuing this degree will be individually matched with study abroad programs specially designed to meet their project-based needs.