My Experiences Abroad – A Study Abroad Overview

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When deciding on colleges, having access to study abroad experiences was important to me. Purdue offers ample opportunities to study abroad, so along with all the other reasons I loved Purdue, I knew it was the right school for me. By the time I graduate, I will have participated in at least three Purdue study abroad programs, and I want to take a moment to reflect on and share my experiences and takeaways while also highlighting everything Purdue has to offer. Some of my time abroad has counted toward my minor, and others toward class credit, but I truly couldn’t speak more highly about any of my experiences.


GEARE

I am earning a minor in Global Engineering Studies through the Global Engineering Alliance for Research and Education (GEARE). To complete this program, students must take 12 credits of foreign language courses, complete both a domestic internship and an internship or research experience abroad, study abroad for a semester, and participate in a global design team project. Since I knew I wanted to study abroad and learn a second language, I made sure to apply to GEARE during my freshman year. The program is designed to make studying abroad more flexible for engineering students and provides additional support when securing work abroad.


Short Term Study Abroad

Short Term Engineering Programs Abroad (STEP) are fast-paced international experiences that last between one and six weeks. Most STEP programs take place over spring break or during May, right after classes end. The May study abroad programs (often called “Maymesters”) occur in the two weeks between the end of the semester and the start of internships or summer classes.


This past spring break (Spring 2025), I participated in the Medical Device Development and Manufacturing Tour in Ireland study abroad program. I shared more details about it in this blog post, but it was my first time visiting Europe and offered the perfect introduction to life abroad before attending a longer program. The “study” aspect of the trip took us to medical manufacturing companies across Ireland, while the “abroad” portion brought us to some of the country’s most iconic sites, such as the Cliffs of Moher and the Blarney Stone.


Dublin, Ireland

ENGR 29600 (Gender in the World)

ENGR 29600 – Gender in the World is a study abroad course offered through the Women in Engineering Program. While I didn’t participate myself, several of my friends did and spoke highly of their experiences. The class explores gender dynamics around the world and offers a broader perspective on engineering beyond the United States.

The course runs for eight weeks during the spring semester and culminates in a spring break trip abroad. It is worth two credit hours. In Spring 2024, the class traveled to Brussels and Bruges in Belgium and Paris, France. In Spring 2025, students visited Madrid and Paris. The Spring 2026 trip will visit the same destinations.

Segovia, Spain

Summer Research Abroad

This summer, I conducted research on augmented and virtual reality at the University of Stuttgart in Stuttgart, Germany, through the Stuttgart University Program for Experiencing Research (SUPER). Not only did this research fulfill the “research abroad” component of my GEARE requirements, but it also earned me six credits of Purdue research that counted toward my computer engineering electives. My project contributed to the development of a bike simulator that my department was creating. We integrated a microprocessor with a fan system to wirelessly control the head and tail wind of the simulator from a computer, and I also 3D-modeled the finish line environment of the race course. Beyond the technical experience I gained, the program was incredibly well organized and offered amazing opportunities that extended far beyond the research itself.


The University of Stuttgart organized two weekend excursions for participants, giving me the chance to explore towns in Germany that I might not have visited on my own. Each trip included a native German tour guide and was thoughtfully planned from start to finish. All of the study abroad students stayed in the International Student Housing, conveniently located just 10 minutes from downtown Stuttgart. Through the university’s mentoring program, a student met me at the train station upon arrival and helped me navigate the public transit system to reach my dorm. Pre-departure Zoom meetings with the SUPER coordinator also prepared me for what to expect in the city, making the transition to international living much easier. I spent eight weeks in Germany this summer, and while living abroad was a new experience, Purdue and its partner university could not have made the process smoother.


Salzburg, Germany

Semester Abroad

This upcoming spring (Spring 2026), I will be studying abroad at the University Carlos III of Madrid (UC3M) for the entire semester. Although I haven’t completed this experience yet, as I prepare and talk with students who have already participated in the program, I’ve only heard positive things. I plan to take three computer engineering classes and one general education course while in Spain, and all of them will directly transfer to Purdue and count toward my degree progress. As part of my GEARE requirements, I am currently taking ENGR 29701 – Global Engineering Orientation. While the class is required for my minor, it has also been an opportunity to learn about cultural differences and international logistics that will directly apply to my time in Spain. It has also allowed me to connect with other GEARE students, including those who will be studying at UC3M alongside me. My study abroad advisor has been valuable in helping me navigate the Spanish visa process, and my computer engineering advisor has guided me through which classes to take abroad. Even though I won’t begin this study abroad until next spring, Purdue has already provided great support in helping me prepare. I feel confident knowing I have the resources and guidance to thrive in Spain.


Split, Croatia

All of these experiences abroad have made my time in college so much more exciting and have given me opportunities that extend far beyond the classroom. Through my time abroad and my minor in Global Engineering Studies, I’m becoming an engineer who can work effectively across cultures and collaborate with people from diverse backgrounds. I’ve gained invaluable skills and perspectives. I’m so grateful to Purdue for providing the support and opportunities that made them possible.


Maddie French, CompE '27 

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