GEPP and OPP to administer GEARE program
GEARE is the most comprehensive global engineering training program in the country. Students in the program pursue a minor in Global Engineering Studies by completing academic, intercultural, and professional experiences. These include foreign language study, at least a full semester of study abroad, domestic and global internship/research experiences, cultural training seminars, and global design team projects.
Over the past five years, participation in the program has grown from 170 to 355 students. During the 2016/2017 academic year, 50 students completed the GEARE program. Students studied in 10 different countries including Colombia, France, Germany, Mexico, New Zealand, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Students complete internships and research experiences in 14 different countries including Colombia, Croatia, Ecuador, France, Germany, Japan, Kenya, Kuwait, Peru, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and Taiwan.
The GEARE program continues to add new academic and industrial partnerships all over the world. One its newest partners is SER San Antonio. Located about 2 hours northwest of Managua, SER San Antonio is Nicaragua’s largest company. The company harvests and processes sugar cane leading to the production of biofuels, electricity, alcohol, and sugar. In its production process, SER is committed to a policy of no waste and recycling, energy efficient processes, and the reduction of emissions.
Callista Ohnemus and Anna Collins are Purdue’s first two GEARE students to intern at SER San Antonio. They are currently completing four-month internship during Purdue’s spring semester. Callista is a sophomore in Agricultural Engineering while Anna is a sophomore in Chemical Engineering. Both are using their academic knowledge to help SER San Antonio find ways to increase sugar production by finding ways to improve the harvest and production processes. Anna and Callista have integrated well with a large group of young engineers. They have greatly appreciated a welcoming and positive environment where friendships extend beyond the work place. During the weekends, they have travelled with their coworkers to visit beaches, volcanoes, rainforests, and small cities. They have found the internship to be not only a rewarding professional experience, but a rewarding opportunity for professional growth. Callista said, “Before I came to the internship, I always thought interning abroad would be a really amazing learning experience for my career, but it’s more than just learning about work, it’s about understanding the culture and making connections with people that allow you to grow.”
Source: Purdue GEARE Program