This summer, students from the OU Polytechnic Institute within the Gallogly College of Engineering had the opportunity to travel internationally as a part of the college’s study abroad program.
The group spent three weeks based in Clermont-Ferrand, France, where they were hosted in partnership with Université Clermont Auvergne and SIGMA Clermont, a graduate engineering school.
“A central goal of the trip was helping students learn to adapt and stay resourceful in unfamiliar situations, using a new country as a real-world testing ground,” said Dr. John Hassell, associate professor of Software Development and Integration at the OU Polytechnic Institute and co-leader of the study abroad group. “In addition, we wanted to give them tools for their engineering careers that will help them first identify disruptive situations regarding new technologies and new product releases.”
The group’s excursions included a hike of the Puy de Dôme volcano, a day trip to Lyon, tours of industry and campus sites such as the Michelin museum, and more. They were formally welcomed at the Clermont-Ferrand City Hall, where they had the opportunity to meet local officials and see the legislative chamber.
While exploring the country, the students had the opportunity to build their practical skills. They immersed themselves in a new culture, attended language lessons, and observed the engineering industry in a European context, all while conducting themselves professionally in company and university settings.
“Study abroad takes learning out of the lecture hall and drops it into the real world, and that shift changes how students see their field and themselves,” said Hassell. “Watching a student who had never left Oklahoma find their footing in a French city is exactly the kind of growth we're looking for. For our engineering students in particular, spending time in an unfamiliar environment builds the adaptability, cultural awareness, and confidence that employers and graduate programs are looking for.”
The adventure concluded in Paris, France, where the travellers reminisced on their time in France while laying eyes on one of the most famous feats of structural engineering of the 19th century — the Eiffel Tower.
The experiences and memories these students have formed this summer will surely have a lasting impact on them, their education, and their careers for years to come.
