Sara Greer could be a trendsetter for Purdue University's College of Engineering.

The engineering undergraduate is the first student to take part in an international co-op program being held in Kuwait.

Traditionally engineering students have sought co-op opportunities with domestic companies that place them in positions they would expect to do after graduation.

But the college is now looking to expand into global markets for education and engagement opportunities as some U.S. employers pull back because of the economy, said Yating Chang, assistant director of the global engineering program.

In five years the college would like up to 300 students to be part of the international co-op programs. Greer's experience will be used to attract other students, Chang said.

Greer is working as a civil engineering intern for Alghanim Industries in Kuwait City, Kuwait. While the job ends Aug. 15, she has decided to return during the next two summers.

Greer, who is from Bedford, answered questions from the Journal & Courier by e-mail about her time in the Middle East.

Question: Have you had a lot of adjusting to do while in the country?

Answer: Kuwait is a very modern city. If you don't pay attention to the Arabic script and mosques, it looks extremely similar to any other large city in the States. My biggest adjustment was that I had to get used to the accent with everyone's English. Food wasn't a problem. They have the same fast food restaurants, and the large grocery stores carry a lot of the same products that I cook with at home.

Q: What are you doing at your job?

A: My assignments are based on what a civil engineer would be working on straight out of college. I have worked on bar bending schedules. They are a chart that records the sizes, shapes, quantity and weight of steel reinforcement for concrete structures. I also do a lot of calculations with finding volumes of concrete needed for the concrete structures. I study drawings and use AutoCAD to complete these tasks.

Q: What about the culture and people have surprised you?

A: I came here with an open mind and have really learned a lot. Before coming here, I was a little afraid of how I would be treated for being female. But women are treated very well. The people think that a woman can have the life that she wants; if she wants to go to school and have a career, great. If she wants to be a stay-at-home mom, great. ... I learned that if a group of people do not give rights to women, it is a part of the culture of the area and not a teaching of Islam. I have learned a lot about Islam; I now have a lot of respect for it. It is a very peaceful religion.

Q: Are you interacting with Kuwaitis outside of your job? Do you get a sense of how people feel about Americans there?

A: I have become friends with several people at work. We hang out and go do things in the evening and on weekends. We go out to eat and to the beach a lot. Many people in Kuwait are immigrants to this country. ... People come here for the job opportunities. Many people at my work are Indian and Egyptian.

I'm not sure why, but the people really like Americans. And not just the Kuwaitis. The immigrants are the same. I have met some people from Saudi Arabia, and even they were very friendly and wanted to talk. I think Americans have a bad image of Middle Eastern people because of what we see on the news. But that does not accurately represent Muslims or the Middle East.

(Article taken from the Lafayette Journal & Courier - August 2, 2009)