Barrett Study Abroad

Before applying to the Grand Challenge Scholar Program, I decided to attend a Barrett study abroad program. As a biomedical engineering student, I did not only want to gain experience in the medical and engineering field, but I also wanted to develop a broader perspective on the needs of a fast-changing and  global economy. One of the top components of Barrett the Honors College is that it enhances education experience through study abroad programs. Studying abroad in London, Edinburgh and Dublin provided me with the opportunity to expand my perspective and awareness of the world though classes, site visits and projects. Being part of this program has been one of the most relevant education experiences as an undergraduate student. The courses I took during this study abroad program were Culture & Society in England, Ireland & Scotland (HON 394), as well as Immigrant Cultures in England, Ireland & Scotland (HON 378). During these classes I learned more about the history, culture and evolution of cities like London, Dublin and Edinburgh. Learning more about the history of the population of these places helped me understand the global and health policies in other countries. When implementing healthcare changes in technology, local culture and needs must be fully understood to avoid inefficiencies in designs and solutions.

Some of the most meaningful projects during this experience were the final projects of both of my classes. For HON 378, I worked with a group of students to develop a portfolio of pictures of specific places, monuments and statues. As part of the project, we had to research about the history of each location and write about how each place contributed to the culture and the importance of the place to the people today. Some of the places we had to find were the Roman Wall in London, St. Margaret’s Chapel at the Edinburgh Castle and the Doolin Village in Dublin. A key part of this project was talking to natives to find out the meaning of these places. The final project of HON 394 was a photo essay which portrays the immigration cultures of London, Edinburgh and Dublin. The most challenging part of this project was to relate the places I chose with the readings discussed during lecture. The readings for this class involved stories, articles, and poems about race, immigration, and the formation of language in different regions. Thanks to this project, I came to the realization that understanding the past is the key to understand the future. To understand the identity of a culture, we need an open mind to analyze the past and imagination to picture how the future might look like.

Apart from projects, discussions in class were a key component of this experience. For each lecture, we were required to read pieces of texts about the cities and places we visited. All students engaged in knowledge conversations about history and immigration. One of the best ways to learn about a culture is to be immersed in it. All the texts covered in both classes were more meaningful because I was able to relate a story with a physical place.  The following list shows the places we visited to immerse in the culture of the United Kingdom: Westminster Abbey, Stonehenge, Roman Baths, British Museum, Greenwich Town, Tower of London, Cliffs of Moher, Kilmainham Gaol, Holyrood Palace, Fort William, Glen Coe & Loch Ness, among others.

All in all, I was able to meet and work with students with diverse backgrounds and motivations. Being in a multicultural environment during the Summer of 2014, educated me to become an engineer that focuses on challenges in a global scale. This experience was one of the motivations to further a global perspective as an undergraduate student and led me to apply to the Grand Challenge Scholars Program as a sophomore.

Throughout this study abroad experience, I was able to reflect critically on the interactions of diverse populations that form part of cosmopolitan centers. Submerging oneself in a different culture allows you to see the work differently and better understand the identity formation of multicultural cities. To create and improve our environment, we first need to understand where we come from and why there are deficits in the systems. Studying abroad allowed me to broaden my perspective on ways to develop skill sets that can impact my community.