Study Abroad Student Testimonial

Michael Duarte  | Ireland Maymester 2016

What was the purpose of this study abroad program?

The maymester study abroad program I participated in was Global Medical Device Design in Ireland. The focus of the program was how to approach global design with regards to global perspective, ethics, empathy and regulations. To achieve these aspects of the program, we were placed on different EPICS projects that had project partners located in Ireland. I was specifically placed on the project Slainte. Project Slainte is an obesity management device that strives to accurately measure and record an individuals waist circumference. We worked on our projects during the spring semester with our teams to move our projects forward to ensure that they were ready to be presented to our project partners when we met with them. When we initially met with our project partners, Croi House, we demonstrated our designs and prototypes and received crucial feedback. Croi House told us they needed the device's mount to be adjustable and wanted the device to be used in a clinical setting rather than in a home. Using this feedback, we updated and redesigned the projects. In our final presentations, the project partners saw our changes and identified any other concerns they did not voice at the previous meeting. With the feedback, future EPICS teams will be able to meet the needs of the project partners and develop a final product. Between meeting with the project partners and project work, we visited three different medical device companies to learn about their company, facility and projects. We also visited different cultural sites as we traveled around Ireland to learn more about their culture.

What were different places you visited as you traveled around Ireland? 

During the span of two weeks in Ireland, we traveled all around the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland and made many stops along the way. Some of the places we stopped along the way were Newgrange, Cliffs of Moher and Kilmainham Gaol. During our free days, many of us visited the Giants Causeway, Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge and Cobh. However, my favorite day adventure was when we took a ferry to Inishmore. Inishmore is one of three islands that make up the Aran Islands. While on Inishmore, most of the group rented bikes and biked across the island to the fort Dun Aengus that over looked the Atlantic Ocean. On the way back from the fort, I biked along the coast with two friends and saw the most amazing views that were breathtaking. 

What was your favorite part of the program?

My favorite part of the program was working on a new device that strives to solve issues with current devices that can positively impact our project partners and their patients. After our final presentation, the project partners were thrilled with the direction of the devices and could not wait to have a working model. They said that when these devices are finalized, they will have a huge impact for not only their facility and users but everyone else with similar conditions. This allowed me to witness how crucial it is to continue to move these projects forward.

Would you recommend other students to participate in this program?

Absolutely! This study abroad program allowed me to witness the impact devices can have on users while being able to travel around Ireland with new friends and visit different historical and national sites.