Undergraduate students from Purdue Polytechnic Institute recently traveled to South America for a Maymester study abroad program. The students earned three credits in a course titled "Tech, Design, and Global Skills in Peru and Chile."
The group included students from the School of Applied and Creative Computing (ACC), the School of Aviation and Transportation Technology, and the School of Engineering Technology.
Jen Ramos, senior global programs specialist, and Rustin Webster, an associate professor in the School of Engineering Technology, co-taught the course. The program united students, faculty, and staff from the West Lafayette campus and Polytechnic Statewide locations.
The itinerary featured five distinct industry tours. Students visited a multinational corporation and a family-owned garment manufacturer in Peru. They also toured a power transformer engineering firm, the Hydrographic and Oceanographic Service of the Chilean Navy (known as SHOA), and a boutique vineyard in Chile.
Students engaged in direct conversations with local leaders and professionals during these visits. They discussed local workforce challenges, employee morale, and workplace culture. The students learned how Peruvian and Chilean leaders navigate these specific industrial hurdles.
The course curriculum emphasized career-ready global skills, critical thinking, and Human-Centered Design. The group spent the first week in Lima, Peru, and collaborated with UTEC, a strategic partner university. They subsequently visited the Cusco region. The program then moved to Valparaíso, Chile. Students there collaborated with the Universidad Técnica Federico Santa María.
The coursework required students to apply Human-Centered Design principles to local problems. Students completed daily reflections and participated in intercultural classes. The final student project addressed the logistical challenge of locating clean water in Lima.
George Neault, a student in the program, noted the impact of the field work.
"We had to look at the clean water issue from the perspective of the people actually living in Lima," George said. "It forced us to step outside our comfort zones and strategically apply our technology skills to a real-world, international problem."
Ramos observed similar growth among the attendees.
"This course gave the students the opportunity to see how self-awareness and effective intercultural communication skills are crucial for their career," Ramos said. "Students shared with us that it helped them develop confidence in themselves and broaden their views greatly. It's inspiring to see the students feel empowered in such a short period of time."
Purdue alumni hosted dinners for students in both countries. The alumni attendees included local entrepreneurs, chief executive officers, and university professors. Students learned about the specific challenges and opportunities within the South American workplace.
These networking events generated immediate academic dividends. Webster connected with a faculty member from a Chilean university during one of the dinners. This introduction resulted in an ongoing cross-border collaboration and a new joint international student project.
"The alumni network provides an incredible resource for our programs," Webster said. "A simple conversation at dinner turned into a direct partnership with a Chilean university. Our students will now have the chance to collaborate remotely with international peers long after this specific program has ended."
Additional information
- Explore Purdue Polytechnic Study Abroad: polytechnic.purdue.edu/global-experiences
