Although the equations of motion, Ohm’s Law and software tools work the same whether in China, Germany, Brazil or the USA, the cultural differences in the engineering wor place are very different. That is what the new International Engineering Minor hopes to cover. Learning new languages, cultures and business communication from studying abroad will help students compete and work in a global economy.
The UCF Summer Intensive Portuguese Language Institute is helping students prepare for studying abroad in Brazil beginning in the fall. Two universities, in Brazil, are currently available, the Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro in Rio de Janeiro and the Pontificia Universidade Catolica do Rio Grande do Sul in Porto Alegre.
The new International Engineering Minor has already attracted interest from more than a dozen students who can choose from studying in Asia, Europe and South America. Students spend a minimum of one semester abroad studying engineering, and they must also take language and culture classes of the country they will visit. Program coordinator Dr. Avelino Gonzalez says, international travel, learning a new culture and meeting new people helps broaden a student’s outlook and returning students often describe their experiences as unforgettable and invaluable.