Student Stories
Mechanical Engineering Study Abroad | Italy
Abbey Ghelerter
Mechanical Engineering
What country did you visit while studying abroad?
Italy
What type of study abroad program best describes your experience?
Faculty-led program
What motivated you to study abroad?
- A faculty member at Auburn encouraged me to study abroad
- To learn a new culture
- To complete core curriculum courses abroad
- To learn more about people not like me
- To enhance my appreciation for cultures. backgrounds, values, and experiences different than my own
How did you find this opportunity? What was the process like?
For mechanical engineering statics sophomore year, I had Dr. Zabala and towards the end of the semester, he mentioned his abroad program, Engineering in the Arts, and it caught my interest. I had always appreciated art and wanted to learn more about it, as an engineer. Another part of finding this opportunity was that I wanted to go abroad at least one summer. Finding this opportunity was handed to me because Dr. Zabala promoted it in his classes and in a few other engineering classes. The application process was simple and straightforward, too!
Tell us about your study abroad experience. Did you complete coursework or a project while abroad? What did you learn? Was there a particular part of the experience you learned the most from?
During my study abroad in Florence, Italy, I completed a technical elective for mechanical engineering. This elective was a biomechanical elective, but we learned so much more than just biomechanics. Our projects utilized the museums and places we visited, where we analyzed statues and architecture. I learned the different features of architecture, the history of the renaissance, and the culture melting pot of Florence. The part I learned the most from was from staying in Florence and gaining a greater appreciation for the attention to detail and craftsmanship in engineering projects.
In what ways did this experience help you prepare for your next destination after Auburn?
This experience helped prepare me by strengthening my problem-solving skills and adaptability. By navigating a new country and collaborating with new classmates with different backgrounds, I learned to approach challenges with an open mind. With gaining a stronger appreciation for engineering impacts in different communities, I am able to use this knowledge, both aesthetically and sustainably in my future career. My experience living in Florence helped me see how culturally sustainable a country can be. In the future, I would like to work in the automotive field, so, seeing how walkable cities use automobiles sustainably has interested me a lot!
Do you have any advice for other students looking to study abroad?
Immerse yourself in everything. Take every opportunity given to you because you never know what you will learn out of it and it will make your experience more meaningful. Do not be afraid to explore and try new things, with yourself or a friend. You can learn a lot both in the classroom and outside of it, so, don't forget to have fun in learning!