What is GEARE?

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GEARE stands for Global Engineering Alliance for Research and Education. But what exactly does that mean? GEARE is different from any other traditional study abroad programs simply because it is not just a study abroad program. At Purdue, GEARE is a great, comprehensive and unique program consisting of study and work abroad/internships, foreign language proficiency, cultural training and global design projects.

I have known about the GEARE program even before becoming a student at Purdue University. The GEARE program immediately captured my attention. I was fascinated by how it allows for a holistic development of an engineering student. In fact, one of the main reasons why I ended up choosing Purdue was the GEARE program.


Application

You can apply either as a FYE student around February or as a sophomore in September. You should be notified of the result of your application within a month of the deadline. The application consists of a resume, your transcript and an essay. In the essay, you talk about why you want to pursue GEARE. I applied to Purdue’s GEARE program because of its foundation in active learning, going beyond boundaries, and bringing in diverse perspectives to excel together. It definitely takes engineering to the next level!

Requirements




Fig. GEARE Program Schedule (OPP website)

Requirements:
  • Maintain a 3.0 GPA
  • Foreign language (upto 20200 level = 12 Credits)
  • A domestic internship
  • A semester of study abroad
  • An international internship
  • A global design project
  • 5 sophomore meetings
  • 3 one-credit cultural orientation seminars 
  •  GEARE poster presentation 

You can find the whole set of requirements with details on this page.

Choosing your GEARE language

I recommend choosing a language that you are truly passionate about. You will be learning 12 credits of the language (2 years), then studying and working abroad in a country where this foreign language is spoken, so having that extra motivation and passion helps greatly.

Learning certain languages is more beneficial for certain engineering disciplines (here). This doesn’t mean you are restricted to learning the languages mentioned on the website. Purdue offers Spanish, French, Chinese/Mandarin, Japanese, Korean, German, Italian and Portuguese. Essentially, you can learn any language you want as long as you plan it well with your advisor and GEARE coordinator. A tip for learning languages is trying to start as early as your first semester here at Purdue because you need to finish the 12 language credits (up to 202 level) prior to your study abroad experience.

Learning the language in depth helps you transition to your chosen study abroad region much more easily. I suggest trying to study your language every other day if not everyday. You don’t have to dedicate one hour to it every day, but try to use language apps such as Duolingo to keep testing your vocabulary and learning new words and phrases. You can also start watching shows or reading articles in your foreign language to help boost your proficiency. I also recommend changing the language of your phone to the language you are learning. This will help you understand how much you know about the language because chances are that the region where you study/work abroad, may have all their signs and broads in that foreign language.

Why GEARE?

Employers love GEARE students! GEARE really develops important skills of grit, resilience, critical thinking, collaboration, open communication and leadership for the international workplace. I believe GEARE helps students build on their journey of understanding new languages, cultures and perspectives while gaining invaluable experiences. GEARE will force you to venture out of your comfort zone but this is how you grow to become a global engineer and leader.

One thing I have always loved about GEARE is that I am given the freedom and flexibility to create my own GEARE map. I can choose which language to learn, where to study abroad, what project to join and what company to intern with. Therefore, you get to learn all these incredible soft skills while doing something you enjoy wherever you want to in the world.

If you want to be a global engineer and leader then GEARE is definitely the program for you!
[p.s. when you finish the GEARE program, you earn the Global Engineering Studies minor too!]
“You want an international experience, but you also want to work in industry. GEARE enables you to do both!”

GEARE instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gearepurdue/?hl=en
GEARE website: https://www.purduegeare.org/


Shruthi Irap, ChE'24

Recruitment Project Committee


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