Delivering an international experience to students in an intercultural engineering course

At Penn State, Engineering Technology (ET) 420W, Design for Society, is an interdisciplinary study of the engineering design process and the influences of society and culture on design. Students explore sustainability in various countries, examine and describe connections between technological and cultural development, learn and apply the engineering design process in societal and cultural contexts, and focus analytical skills on societal and cross-cultural issues. In 2005, the university's Capital College offered ET 420W with an option for students to participate in an international study tour of London during spring break. This international experience was designed to provide out-of-classroom activities that would supplement course material. Penn State chose London as a destination since UK industry and government act as leaders in moving the European Union (EU) towards a sustainable society. This paper describes the study tour experience, provides descriptions of its activities, and examines its benefit to both students and the instructor.