WPI’s Global Perspective Program: Not your typical study abroad Natalie A. Mello Director of Global Operations, Interdisciplinary and Global Studies Division

Educational Objectives Open-ended, integrative problem solving Multidisciplinary teamwork Independent learning Written & verbal communication Professional and personal growth Making connections: –society and technology –classroom and real world –work, cultures and communities Switzerland

One way to prepare students for the world is to put them in the world. Opportunities to fulfill degree required projects throughout the world. Nancy, France…San José, Costa Rica…San Juan, Puerto Rico…Shanghai, PRC…Venice, Italy… Windhoek, Namibia…Wuhan, PRC Bangkok, Thailand…Budapest, Hungary…Cape Town, South Africa…Copenhagen, Denmark…Daegu, Korea Edmonton, Canada… Hong Kong…Ifrane, Morocco… Limerick, Ireland… London, United Kingdom… Melbourne, Australia Students & faculty live on site for 2 months while solving open ended problems that benefit the local community.

Growth of the Global Perspective Program Over 6800 students off-campus since 1974 Class of 2008 – 70% of graduates had an off-campus experience – 52% of graduates had an international experience

So how does WPI manage to do this? WPI offers opportunities to fulfill degree requirements elsewhere in the worldWPI offers opportunities to fulfill degree requirements elsewhere in the world Unique curriculum and term systemUnique curriculum and term system Established & Competitive Recruiting CyclesEstablished & Competitive Recruiting Cycles Established Risk ManagementEstablished Risk Management Commitment to Student Centered ExperienceCommitment to Student Centered Experience

At WPI, all students have to complete three projects: The Project in the Humanities and Arts The Interdisciplinary Project – not related to your major (IQP) The Discipline Specific, Technical Project – definitely related to your Major (MQP)

Students have completed projects in the Humanities and Arts in United Kingdom History, Drama, Music or LiteratureSpain Spanish Language, Culture or LiteratureGermany German Language, Culture or LiteratureMorocco Islamic Studies Morocco

Established sites to complete the Interdisciplinary Project BangkokBoston Cape Town Copenhagen Hong Kong London (2) Melbourne (2) San José San Juan Venice Worcester (3) WashingtonWindhoek Klong Tuey, Bangkok

What is an Interdisciplinary Project? Done in teams Independent from the student’s major Equivalent in credit to 3 courses Sponsored by an outside agency Open ended and real Venice, Italy

Examples of Interdisciplinary Projects In Namibia WPI students worked with a local community to design better insulation for shanty towns to increase the local standard of living. A WPI student team introduced solar power to an indigenous population in Thailand where there had never been electricity before. In DC students worked with the CPSC to study the dangers of multipurpose infant devices. Windhoek, Namibia

Students can complete their technical projects (MQP) at these sites Limerick, IrelandLimerick, Ireland Lincoln Labs, Lexington, MALincoln Labs, Lexington, MA Edmonton, CanadaEdmonton, Canada Budapest, HungaryBudapest, Hungary Wuhan, PRCWuhan, PRC Daegu, S. KoreaDaegu, S. Korea Nancy, FranceNancy, France Wall Street, NYWall Street, NY Silicon Valley, CASilicon Valley, CA Gallo Wineries in Modesto, CAGallo Wineries in Modesto, CA (major dependent: not all sites open to every major)

What is the MQP? The Major Qualifying Project Senior thesis or design project Equivalent in credit to 3 courses Done in small teams under faculty guidance Analysis, design, synthesis, realization Equivalent to a first professional experience

Examples of Off-Campus MQPs Remote surveillance system over GSM network (Internet Control Systems, Limerick) Improving Risk Reporting (Lehman Brothers, Wall St.) Implementing Peer-to-Peer Web Services using Skype (eBay, Silicon Valley) Alginate Polymers for Drug Delivery (ENSIC, Nancy, France)

Can projects happen elsewhere? Individually Sponsored Residential Projects Work with a faculty advisor to complete the process Buenos Aires, Argentina NSF Station, Antarctica Colombo, Sri Lanka Turks & Caicos Gothenberg, Sweden Tortolla, BVI Sydney, Australia Rome, Italy St. Croix, USVI Greenwich, UK Istanbul, Turkey Taipei, Taiwan

Typical WPI Student’s Academic Year 1 semester = 2 terms 1 term = 7 weeks 1 semester = 2 terms 1 term = 7 weeks 6 courses / semester 3 courses / term 6 courses / semester 3 courses / term A Term B Term C Term D Term Intro Statics Differ. Equations Anatomy Principles of EE Fluid Mechanics Project = 3 courses Project in Bangkok Soc.Sci. Methods Intro Art History Calc IV Gen. Physics Proposal

WPI is a leader in health & safety in education abroad Aggressive Risk Management  Philosophical Approach Identify, Analyze, Manage Risks  Practical Approach Tailored Program for each Off-Campus Site  Goal To Protect the Students, Advisors, the Program and WPI

WPI Global Perspective Program “Project Centers” located around the globe Not an exchange or internship or coursework Students and faculty advisors live and work on-site for two months Real-world projects for local agencies solving real needs 70% of projects done at Project Centers Bangkok, Thailand Venice, Italy

WPI…All Around the World, Preparing Students for Life!