Education Abroad
The department supports student’s aspiration to study abroad as a way to add “global perspective” and foster “cross-cultural communication and analytical skills.” Since mechanical engineering curriculum is tightly sequenced, a student interested in study abroad should notify their advisor as soon as possible (ideally by the start of sophomore year). The department suggests that study abroad, if pursued, be undertaken during summer or during the first quarter of the junior year. The yearlong capstone senior design sequence, requiring participation from beginning to end, precludes study abroad during that time.
In recent years, ME students have found various ways to enhance their education by traveling abroad. Students have traveled as a part of EWB team (Serabia ‘06, Tyler ’07, Thailand), and as a part of NSF REU summer undergraduate research program (Hensley ’09, TU Darmstadt, Germany). Some of our recent graduates have even gone on to earn their engineering masters’ degrees abroad (Engebretsen ’04, Chalmers, Sweden, Pang ’06, RMIT, Australia).
With need-based financial aid support from the College and collaboration with the Project Center, the department has started an exchange program based on the capstone design projects where corresponding departments at Kogakuin University (Tokyo, Japan) and Seattle University exchange students during the non-overlapping portion of their academic calendars.
During February 2008, Seattle University hosted Japanese students T. Miyazaki, T. Shibuya, and M. Takagi for three weeks. With faculty guidance, the Japanese students developed an original conceptual design following Winrobo: the 2008 ASME Student Design Contest constraint and requirements.
The Japanese students also improved their conversational English skills through tutorial courses and social interaction with mechanical engineering students in Seattle University's ME design team 8.4, who are working on the same technical problem.
In June and July 2008, Kogakuin University hosts SU mechanical engineering students K. Goebel '09 and A. Beach '10 in a 7-week internship program where students participate in Japanese company sponsored projects (projects of 2-year duration) on tire manufacturing (Yokohama Tire) and robotic manipulator (THK). SU students are exposed to both technical and cultural aspects of studying engineering in Tokyo, Japan.
Chalmers University of Technology
Through tireless and persistent efforts by alumnus Dain Engebretsen (BSME '04, Seattle University, M.S. '06 Chalmers), including visiting Chalmers to discuss logistics while traveling, the mechanical engineering department is developing an exchange program with Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg, Sweden. The department hopes to have a program in place for juniors in Fall of 2009. The students will take equivalent courses in Sweden (in English) at the later part of 2009, and return to Seattle University for Winter 2010 with minimal interruption to degree progress. We do not expect the student to graduate later than expected due to program participation.
Future Programs
If there are greater demands, the department will look into developing more international exchange programs. Department faculty members are well connected with ME programs around the world. Please talk to your advisor about your aspirations.