"The International Program doesn't just promise its students a more global perspective; it helps engineering students grow in the spirit of the College's world-class engineering vision."
-A.I., Work Abroad, Germany
International Envoy Bios
International Engineering Envoys are Penn State students from a variety of engineering majors who have completed at least one international experience: a study abroad and/or work abroad. These students help to promote Global Engineering Education Programs and encourage students to pursue international opportunities.
Envoys are eager to talk to other students about their experiences, and are willing and able to answer questions about how an international experience can be incorporated into an engineering major program. Please feel free to contact our envoys, or to stop by during their office hours in 204 Hammond during the fall and spring semesters.
If you would like to arrange for an envoy to speak in a classroom or to a student group, please contact the Global Engineering Education Coordinator.
Learn more about our international envoys by clicking on their names below. See when each of the envoys holds their office hours at Envoy Schedules.
International Engineering Envoys
Colleen Fegley (C E; Study Abroad, Ireland)
Ryan Frankowski (I E; Study Abroad, Italy)
Atindra Garigipati (CH E; Study Abroad, China)
Jessica Hibbs (BIOE; Study Abroad, Australia)
Jillian Holloway (C E; Work Abroad, China)
Allison Jaffe (I E; Study Abroad, New Zealand)
Devika Patel (CH E; Study Abroad, France)
Rebecca Peters (M E; Study Abroad, Spain)
Kristen Salava (BIOE; Study Abroad, China and Kenya)
Abbie Swoboda (M E; Study Abroad, China and Hungary)
Benjamin Szoch (BIOE; Work Abroad, China)
Carly Wackerman (B E; Study Abroad, Australia)
Xiaoyin Wu (Laura) (A E; Study Abroad, Italy)
Colleen Fegley
Major: Civil Engineering
Minor: Environmental Engineering
Contact: e-mail Colleen
Location of Study Abroad: Galway, Ireland
University: National University of Ireland
About My Experience:
I traveled to Ireland during the fall semester of my Junior year to study at the National University of Ireland, Galway. During those four months I took four engineering courses alongside Irish students. The experience in school gave me a new perspective on global engineering. Outside the classroom I got to travel to several cities and towns throughout Ireland as well as across Europe. The opportunity to observe so many new cultures and places expanded my ideas about the way people live in different environments. I also was able to participate in a brief home-stay which gave me a deeper insight into Irish family life. It was a semester I will never forget and I would highly encourage every engineering student to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity.
Ryan Frankowski
Major: Industrial Engineering
Minor: Math
Contact: e-mail Ryan
Location of Study Abroad: Rome, Italy
University: Penn State course: IT 130
About My Experience:
I traveled to Rome, Italy over spring break for Italian Cultures and Civilization (IT130). We prepared a presentation on a piece of art. Additionally I worked as the social coordinator during our time in Italy by setting up activies for our group of ten students after we tour museums and churches. The experience was very eye-opening since there are pros and cons of living outside of the United States, such as the promptness of daily tasks.
Atindra Garigipati
Major: Chemical Engineering
Minor: Engineering Leadership Development, Music Technology
Contact: e-mail Atindra
Location of Study Abroad: China
University: Penn State course: ENGR 197
About My Experience:
Last May i went was on the program that looked at the Historical, Social, and Environmental effects on Engineering Design in China. I spent one month in various locations in China looking at historical Landmarks and various projects currently being constructed. Through looking at the Ancient buildings such as the Great Wall of China and the Forbidden Palace and the more modern landmarks such as the Olympic Village in Beijing to the Eco-City Project in Shanghai, I was able to make some great observations on how China's proud history and architecture have been a benchmark for how the country grows in the future. It was an experience that i certainly would not have gotten if it was not for Professor Xinli Wu and the Engineering International Programs here at Penn State.
Jessica Hibbs
Major: Bioengineering
Contact: e-mail Jessica
Location of Study Abroad: Australia
University: The University of Sydney
About My Experience:
The spring semester of my Sophomore year I had the opportunity to study abroad in Sydney Australia; it was the most incredible experience of my life. I traveled throughout the country, going to the great barrier reef as well as the Daintree rainforest and the Blue Mountains, a few world heritage sites. I was also able to go to Thailand and New Zealand while I was studying there. While at the University of Sydney, or Sydney Uni as it’s called in Australia, I participated in Research with the Fluid Engineering Department. There is a great internship program available to abroad students that I was able to gain this opportunity through. It was the most amazing thing I have done with my life thus far and I really recommend studying abroad for everyone.
Jillian Holloway
Major: Civil Engineering
Minor: Environmental Engineering
Contact: e-mail Jillian
Location of Work Abroad: Dalian, China
Company: Fuyou Enterprise Group
About My Experience:
The summer after my freshman year I had an internship in Dalian, China. My experience abroad has really opened my eyes to how much there is in the world to see and how much I want to travel even more. I was given the opportunity to see and experience a culture, not just learn about it, and that so amazing. Being able to travel to a country like China, that is so culturally different, made me view things differently and I learned so much about adapting to new environments. I loved the time I spent abroad and would recommend that anyone who wants to go abroad find a way to make it happen, it will be something you remember forever.
Allison Jaffe
Major: Industrial Engineering
Contact: e-mail Allison
Location of Study Abroad: Auckland, New Zealand
University: University of Auckland
About My Experience:
I studied abroad for a semester in Auckland, New Zealand at the University of Auckland. There, I lived with many different international students and went to class with both natives and other exchange students. I took four engineering-related courses and grew to love the classes, the students, and the faculty. I greatly enjoyed the many weekend hikes and ventures with my new friends to see the breathtaking sights of New Zealand.
Devika Patel
Majors: Chemical Engineering, International Studies
Minor: French
Contact: e-mail Devika
Location of Study Abroad: Paris, France
University: Ecole Centrale Paris
About My Experience:
Spring semester of sophomore year, I was given the amazing opportunity to study abroad at Ecole Centrale Paris, one of France?s leading engineering schools. The Schlumberger brothers, Michelin brothers, and Gustave Eiffel are all alumni! There, I took engineering, business, and international relation classes (some in French, some in English). Being one of only two Americans, I had to speak French almost all the time, so my skills improved significantly. Around thirty percent of the students were international; I got to take classes and work with students from all over the world ? China, Brazil, Turkey, Morocco, Mexico, Italy, and so many other countries. It was awesome to see Chinese, Brazilian, Italian, and American students sitting together and not speaking any of their native languages, but speaking French, and not talking about the weather, but something like fluid mechanics! The diversity was fantastic. As a part of my program, I was able to meet with European engineering company recruiters and representatives (from companies such as Air Liquide, Total, Schlumberger, Shell), travel to the Netherlands to visit Europe?s largest oil refinery, conduct research on industrial hydrogen-production technologies, build a car for the Shell Eco-Marathon in Germany, and explore and immerse myself in the culture of Paris and many other cities in Europe. My experience was life-changing. Study or work abroad can leave you with personal, educational, and professional benefits, the likes of which you cannot gain from anything else, and Penn State has great opportunities to take advantage of while you?re here!
Rebecca Peters
Majors: Mechanical Engineering
Contact: e-mail Rebecca
Location of Study Abroad: Barcelona, Spain
University: Universidad Autonoma de Barcelona and IES Abroad
About My Experience:
Studying abroad for a semester in Barcelona was nothing short of a dream. I lived with a Catalan family in the heart of the city. Throughout the week I would make sure I found out what Barcelona was made of, while on the weekends I traveled to a number of destinations including France, Hungary, Norway, and other cities in Spain. I chose to take gen-eds abroad so I could focus more on my experience abroad and less on my engineering studies. Though I did not take engineering related classes, I did learn a great deal about new subjects such as liberal arts and business. I would do it all again in a heartbeat.
Kristen Salava
Major: Bioengineering
Contact: e-mail Kristen
Location of Study Abroad: China
University: Penn State course: ENGR 197
Location of Study Abroad: Kenya
University: Penn State Humanitatian Engineering and Social Entrepreneurship Program
About My Experience:
I studied abroad in China over the summer by taking the class "Engineering Design and World Cultures," taught by Penn State engineering professor Xinli Wu. As a class we traveled across eastern and southern China visiting and touring cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Xian, and many others. We were able to see some of the most historical engineering monuments built like the Great Wall, and also more modern engineering designs like the Three Gorges Dam. In addition, we toured the Chinese headquarters of American companies GE, Huntsman, and Armstrong and met with the leadership teams at each of the companies. The information I gathered through the class on engineering in China was valuable, but the experience of being abroad was priceless. Not only are you immersed in another culture, but you also learn a lot about yourself and what you want to do in the future. Learning about another culture so different from ours and being in an environment that encourages personal as well as professional growth is an experience I definitely encourage others to take advantage of.
Abbie Swoboda
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Minor: Engineering Leadership Development
Contact: e-mail Abbie
Location of Study Abroad: China
University: Penn State course: ENGR 197
Location of Study Abroad: Hungary
University: Penn State embedded program
About My Experience:
I love to travel and have been fortunate enough to participate in two study abroad opportunities through Penn State Engineering Programs. The summer after my freshman year, I traveled to China for a month with Professor Xinli Wu to explore the impact of history, culture, society, and the environment on engineering design in China. This course was unique in the sense that instead of being centrally located at a single university, we stayed in several cities throughout the country and were able to really see and experience Chinese culture. The following summer, I traveled to Europe with Professor Rick Schuhmann as part of the Engineering Leadership Development Minor. We stayed in Budapest, Hungary for a week with our class, and I stayed an additional week with a friend to backpack to Prague, The Czech Republic, Salzburg, Austria, and Munich, Germany. Through these travels, I visited numerous historical sites, experienced many cultural activities, and interacted with so many different kinds of people that really impacted my way of thinking and outlook on life. These courses were great learning experiences culturally, personally, and professionally, and I love sharing my stories with others. I developed so much as a person through my studies, and would encourage anyone I meet to take advantage of all of the great opportunities Penn State Global Programs has to offer!
Benjamin Szoch
Major: Bioengineering
Contact: e-mail Ben
Location of Work Abroad: Dalian, China
Company: Fuyou Enterprise Group
About My Experience:
I was selected by Dr. Xinli Wu to work as an intern in China for Dalian Fuyou Enterprises. The first month of the trip I was with his study abroad class, ENGR 197A and got to travel around the country to see and learn about the cultural impact on engineering in China. Then , the following two months I stayed in the company's hotel and worked by teaching English, visiting the company's power plant, learning the Chinese culture, and serving as an ambassador from Penn State and America to Fuyou and China.
Carly Wackerman
Major: Biological Engineering
Contact: e-mail Carly
Location of Study Abroad: Australia
University: University of New South Wales
About My Experience:
The summer after my sophomore year I traveled to Australia to take a course on energy sustainability called "Energy Tomorrow: An Engineering Management Perspective." During the course we traveled all over Australia including Darwin, Kakadu National Park, Alice Springs, Kings Canyon, Sydney, and Cairns. We were able to see many of the natural beauties home to Australia while also learning much about renewable energies and their impact worldwide. This program was a great mixture of sight-seeing and classwork and is something I will never forget! I recommend studying abroad to anyone interested because it is definitely a life changing experience! Feel free to contact me with any questions you might have.
Xiaoyin Wu (Laura)
Major: Architectural Engineering
Minor: Architectural Studies
Contact: e-mail Laura
Location of Study Abroad: Rome, Italy
University: Pantheon Institute
About My Experience:
Having an awesome summer studied abroad in Rome is one of the most exciting experiences in my college life. Rome is an attractive city with all the ancient architectures remained from the Renaissance period, so it’s a perfect place to learn about the most important piece of architectural history. It completely broadened my view and amazed me with its charming culture. It is a summer with intense academic goals, but it is definitely worthwhile. During the 2 months in Italy, we had chances to visit other cities in Italy with the planned class field trips, such as Florence, Milan, Venice, Pompeii, Verona, etc. And we can also arrange our weekend trips to other stunning cities surround the Mediterranean Sea. This experience is so amazing that I now completely fall in love with that beautiful country and also makes want to explore more different parts of the world.