Auburn University's College of Architecture, Design, and Construction, through its strategic planning, has made a commitment of providing international learning opportunities for its students through study abroad programs, exchange programs, and special field classes. In the first several years of this strategy, the overall goals of the Building Science Study Abroad Program have taken many forms. For several years the Study Abroad Program has served as a special thesis opportunity for senior BSCI students. However, the end result has not changed in that students are exposed to opportunities and knowledge to which they would not otherwise be exposed. While specific course functions are completed and many construction related activities are carried out, students also participate in many cultural events such as operas, concerts, ballets, and musicals. We feel as though studying abroad is an invaluable experience: a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to live in a foreign country, to experience its customs and culture, and to adapt to new surroundings. Studying abroad will introduce Building Science students to new environments through which knowledge can be gained from experiential learning. It is our belief that we must strive to understand one another, now more than ever. Perhaps we can best comprehend similarities and differences through a personal experience of another culture. The successes gained through these experiences both equip and prepare individuals to thrive in a global world. Through international education, we hope to become a more diversified, culturally aware and understanding world. In the last two years our study abroad initiatives have expanded from the initial summer offerings to programs offered in the fall and spring and most recently, international internship opportunities. During the Fall semesters of 2008 and 2009 students worked in Italy to provide solutions to design and construction problems in an historic environment. These problems were site specific and were often set by the local communities. In the Spring of 2010 students participated in a week long service learning project in Ecuador in conjunction with the Auburn University School of Nursing. Planning is currently underway to facilitate an international internship program beginning in 2011. You can see from the activities listed below why I believe that the McWhorter School of Building Science is the national leader when it comes to providing international learning opportunities for construction students.
- Richard Burt, Professor and Head of McWhorter School of Building Science
2013 Programs
Ecuador
This trip to South America is offered Spring semester 2013, March 7 - 16 (during AU Spring Break) and will be embedded into BSCI 4400-ConstructionStructures. Dr. Scott Kramer will lead the class, with Professor Ben Farrow as the co-leader. Select the link below for more information and to apply.
Asia-Europe
This 41 days trip is offered in Summer semester 2013, May 10-June 21, and open to undergraduate and graduate students from Building Science and related disciplines. Dr. Salman Azhar will lead the class, with Professor Michael Hein and Professor Junshan Liu as the co-leaders. Select the links below for more information.
Recent Programs
2011
Europe
Traveled to Florence, Munich, and Paris. Eight week study abroad program covering PC3, MEP, contracting business, and soils. Students in PC1 during the Spring or Summer of 2010 were eligible for consideration. Led by Professor Holley.
Europe 2011 Program Information PDF
2010
China
The special thesis class involves scholarly work equal to or in excess of the traditional building science thesis class. The student theses involved analyzing, synthesizing, and reporting on data collected during a five-week class in China. In addition to the special thesis class, BSCI 4980, students concurrently enrolled in an accelerated five-week class of BSCI 4400 – Temporary Structures. Students admitted into the special thesis class were required to enroll in a two-credit-hour Research Methods and Study Abroad Preparation.
China 2010 Program Information PDF | Class Info
Ecuador
Ecuador 2010 Program Information PDF Europe
The destination of this trip varies each year depending on the project (Italy, UK,
Germany, Ireland, etc.) Individual discipline responsibilities and scopes of work were defined before the trip. We completed an overall analysis for local authorities showing the scope of options for an adaptive reuse of a historic structure that fit into local culture and future goals of the commune. We completed a conceptual architectural design, a landscape architecture design, and costing for the adaptive reuse designs, business plans for the ownership and operation of resultant facility (MBA students), and special assignments by specific respective disciplines.
Europe 2010 Program Information PDF | Student Blogs
