Engaged in Our World
Experiencing an academic program in another country and culture can be a valuable part of the undergraduate experience in the School of Engineering. This summer, Biomedical Engineering Department Chair Frank Yin led nine Biomedical Engineering students through a two-week international experience in China. Students worked on research projects with faculty at two Chinese universities including in the Department of Health Technology and Informatics at Hong Kong Polytechnic University. There, students gained knowledge about the fabrication and application of orthotics and functional electrical stimulation. Among other projects, students worked firsthand with children suffering from cerebral palsy at Dongguan Rehabilitation Center.
The experience was inspiring for students as they immersed themselves in a different culture. Not only are they now prepared to create medical devices to aid patients, students have a stronger understanding of how to make that technology accessible in other parts of the world. Specifically, students will use their experiences in China to develop ideas for their senior design projects. Below, two students candidly share reflections from their experience.
"My experience in China not only gave me a new cultural perspective, it changed my way of thinking about engineering. When I asked the mother of the patient I was working with how long it had taken them to get to the hospital that day I was amazed, but they'd had to come because it was the only facility of that caliber in the area. That's when I realized it's not always about building something new and better. Sometimes it's just about taking existing technology and making it accessible to everyone, wherever they need it."
- Ian Pearson, Senior
"The trip was a wonderful experience. We were able to obtain practical, hands-on experience by creating a medical device (the AFO) and applying treatment to a patient (using FES). Aside from the learning experience, we also built bridges between the two groups of students: WashU and HKPU. After long days of fabrication and working in the hospital, we would return to the hotels and tell jokes, teach each other tongue-twisters, and learn about a new culture. However, I was caught off-guard by how much this trip changed my view of industry. I now realize how "US-Centric" my way of thinking had been. When I used to think about medical devices and therapies, I'd only ever considered how they could be used in the United States, or how to push them through the FDA. Not only am I now aware of the State FDA (SFDA) in China, but how the user's needs can and will vary by country. As I begin to apply for jobs at medical device companies that sell to international markets, I'll be prepared to learn about how the devices are used in each country. This may ultimately be reflected in changes to the design or a new therapy entirely."
- Corinne Pascale, Senior
More International Experiences for Students
The School is developing a wide range of internships and international educational experiences specifically for Engineering students. Next summer, students majoring in Energy, Environmental, and Chemical Engineering will have the opportunity to monitor air quality in Beijing. The opportunity is available through collaboration with researchers from Peiking and Tshingua Universities, partners in the McDonnell International Scholars Academy. Other McDonnell Academy partners will offer programs as well, including Bogazici University in Istanbul, Turkey and the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay in India.
|
