The Boston University College of Engineering, in cooperation with the Division of International Programs and the Technical University of Dresden (TUD) in Dresden, Germany, inaugurated a study abroad program in spring 2001 designed specifically for second-semester sophomore engineering undergraduates at Boston University. The program enables engineering undergraduates to incorporate a study abroad experience in their undergraduate degree programs while continuing to make normal progress toward their degrees. Prior exposure or facility with German is not expected before starting the program, but students must participate in an intensive German-language course while in Dresden. The TUD was chosen as a partner in developing this program because Boston University already had a small program and a resident director established at this site. In addition, the TUD had appropriate faculty and laboratory facilities available to teach the requisite science and engineering courses in English. While in Dresden, students take three of four technical courses taught in English by full-time faculty of the TUD, a sociology course also taught in English, and an intensive German language course. The technical courses are based on the same textbooks and syllabi used in Boston and provide comparable laboratory exercises. All courses are Boston University courses, thereby avoiding the transfer credit complications. The semester begins in early February and ends in mid-July. This paper will explain our rationale for choosing this model for an engineering study abroad program, our view of the advantages of this model and the processes undertaken to establish the program. We will report on our experiences with the program to date, and on student outcomes.
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