International Student Groups

There are many student groups at Penn State that have an international focus. Descriptions of the groups within the College of Engineering are listed below. For a listing of all student groups at the university, search at http://www.clubs.psu.edu/. At University Park, you can search for "International/Multicultural" student groups in the student organization directory for a listing of all student organizations that fall under this category.

International Engineering Student Groups

International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience (IAESTE)

Website: http://www.iaeste.psu.edu/

Mission Statement: IAESTE Penn State is part of an international network that coordinates internships for students in technical fields. Since 1948, IAESTE's combination of practical training and cultural immersion has prepared students for the challenges of the global marketplace.

IAESTE is an intercollegiate organization at Penn State for students in the College of Engineering, College of Science, College of Earth and Mineral Sciences, College of Agricultural Sciences, and the School of Information Science and Technology.

IAESTE can help students find paid international internships in technical fields of study. But more than that, IAESTE allows students to develop leadership skills and to foster an international environment for all technical students across campus.

Engineers for a Sustainable World (ESW)

Website: http://www.clubs.psu.edu/up/esw/

Mission Statement: ESW acts to facilitate activities for Penn State students with a shared interest in development and implementation of appropriate engineered solutions in developing communities.

ESW acts to facilitate activities for Penn State students with a shared interest in development and implementation of appropriate engineered solutions in developing communities.

Engineering Students for International Outreach (ESIO)

Website: http://www.clubs.psu.edu/up/esio/

Mission Statement: Penn State students improving the College of Engineering through international outreach and philanthropy to further enhance the skills needed to become a world class leader. International outreach is through awareness, fundraising, and educating others by working closely with administration, faculty, and donors.

ESIO is a student organization that works on international relief projects. Currently they are raising money to build a school for Cambodian children and plan to eventually send students to Cambodia to teach.

Engineers Without Borders (EWB)

Website: http://www.engr.psu.edu/ewb/

Mission Statement: Engineers Without Borders at Penn State aims to assist marginalized communities by applying knowledge that we learn in the classroom. Creative, caring, and innovative students of all disciplines join together in our group to address the communities� engineering-related problems. This program directly impacts the lives of people and empowers them to improve their situations. Through humanitarian efforts, EWB seeks to develop sustainable engineering solutions by using our products to create new jobs and stimulate economic or educational development.

Although EWB mostly focuses on projects in third-world countries, it also actively seeks local humanitarian projects to adopt. Our chapter has recently become an official chapter in EWB national organization. Currently we are deciding upon among several potential projects for one to undertake. Criteria for selection include travel distance, project duration, project cost, prospect for successful completion, community need, dependable on-site contact, language issues, and, of course, group safety.