International experience for engineering students through distance learning techniques

A new mechanism is being developed for expanding international exposure for undergraduate engineering and computer science students in the United States, using information technology and distance learning techniques. Technical students in the United States, in a few instances, have begun working on projects with similar students in other countries via electronic communications. This paper provides a rationale for having engineering students gain some international experience during their undergraduate educational periods, and points out barriers to getting such experience in traditional study abroad periods. It then cites several academic programs that are providing such experience via electronic means. Finally, the authors present a proposed direction to increase the use of distance learning techniques to provide international experience for American engineering students.