Tech Topics - Fall 2008 - (Page 20) STUDENT LIFE While studying the use of algae as a biofuel at Georgia Tech Ireland, Brian Srikanchana, a fourth-year biomedical engineering major, gained insights on the future of the global economy. “This job led me to question what role collaborations among government, academia and industry will play in the development of educational and industrial infrastructure and how that will affect the national and world economies,” he said. The thing Srikanchana enjoyed most about the city of Athlone was the people. “Going for a jog down one of the more rural roads, I met three local residents,” he said. “Two offered me tea and the third gave me a head of lettuce to take home from his garden as a ‘welcome to the neighborhood’ gift.” Matthew Fillette, a third-year electrical engineering major, spent the summer in Metz, France. Studying major-related courses and French at Georgia Tech Lorraine, he said he acquired “a much broader world view of how to approach engineering problems” and became captivated by the world’s energy crisis. “I have been able to observe European solutions to these problems that include their efficient public transportation systems, strict individual initiative to energy conservation and prolific wind and solar energy generation. I am now exploring a minor in public policy as a result of my view of our societal need to present engineering solutions to sustain the United States’ economy and livelihood.” A spot on Canada’s national softball team sent third-year materials and science engineering major Jen Yee around the globe, from Atlanta to Australia, Nebraska, Chicago, Ontario and finally Beijing for the Olympics. Yee, an infielder, spent most of that time training and playing exhibition games, but she also was able to enjoy her native country. “After traveling around the world and living in the United States for school, it’s just not the same as coming home. Being around familiar things and people just gives me a reminder of what and who we’re representing every day.” Surviving the running of the bulls at Pamplona might be enough of an accomplishment for most people’s summer, but for third-year aerospace engineering major Kento Masuyama that was just the finale. While in Valencia, Spain, he also studied Spanish dialects. Before that, he spent six weeks in Mexico. “I climbed the pyramids of Teotihuacan, floated down the remnants of the ancient lake Texcoco in Xochimilco, climbed a mountain along Guanajuato, ate tacos al pastor as often as possible and learned about Mexican history, culture and business,” he said. “What I liked so much about this trip is that I learned in such a deeper, more personal manner about the cultures of Mexico and Spain.” Fifth-year civil engineering major Jessica Forrest ventured more than 3,000 miles south of Atlanta to work as a civil engineer for a condo construction company in Lima, Peru. “I liked the very different culture and the wonderful people. I went to a national soccer match, learned to dance salsa and tried a variety of traditional Peruvian cuisine ranging from cuy, which is roasted guinea pig, to anticuchos, which is cooked cow heart on skewers.” Education goes In June, fourth-year biomedical engineering student Shruti Senapati began a six-month stay in Zug, Switzerland, where she is working in the public affairs department of Biogen Idec, a leading global biotechnology company. “This experience has taught me valuable lessons in business communication and corporate teamwork,” she said. “Working abroad also provides an excellent opportunity to practice foreign language skills — I am working on German — and has allowed me to gain knowledge of different cultures, working styles and the importance of workplace diversity.” To Austr alia GLOBAL Tech students spend the summer traveling, learning about foreign cultures, business 20 TechTopics | Fall 2008
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