Would you like to share the knowledge and skills you have learned in the classroom with people in developing communities around the world, and learn from them in exchange?
This spring we will pilot a new program called STEP: Student Technology Exchange Program, which will bring four students from China to Carnegie Mellon University, and send four of our students to China next fall as part of a new exchange program. All air travel, accommodations, and a per diem for food will be paid for. In addition, participants will be loaned a laptop for use during their semester abroad. Students will also be able to take courses at Zhe Jiang University in China (http://www.zju.edu.cn/english/). No language or citizenship requirements are necessary since an English-speaking host will be assigned to each student.
By enrolling as a STEP participant, you commit to the following:
1. Enroll in a relevant course or independent study with your Zhe Jiang team mate and work with your faculty advisor and STEP administrators to define your project.
2. Participate in the orientation program offered by OIE to prepare for your travel abroad.
3. Meet with your academic advisors and work with the STEP administrators to enroll in the relevant courses at the relevant universities.
4. Travel to China for at the end of the summer and complete the courses you enrolled in, plus the project you designed in the previous semester.
5. Complete a written report and a presentation about your project when you return to Carnegie Mellon University.As a pilot program, this has not been run and refined many times, so your ability to deal with ambiguity and change are critical requirements.
For more details, see How To Apply
Partners:
This pilot program is a partnership with Zhe Jiang University (http://www.zju.edu.cn/english/). We hope to provide similar opportunities with other universities in other countries soon.
The Project:Each participating student, their counterpart from Zhe Jiang University, and their faculty advisors will design a computing technology project relevant to a rural community in China. Some of the project design will occur while the students are at Carnegie Mellon University. Most of the project will be carried out while in China. Students will be provided transportation from Zhe Jiang University to the rural community and back, and the Zhe Jiang student will act as a translator for interactions with the rural community.
Zhe Jiang University:
- Zhejing University is located in the coastal city Hangzhou, the capital of Zhejiang Province, which lies 180 km away from Shanghai, a metropolitan city in the southeast of China.
- It was founded in 1897 as one of the oldest institutions of higher learning in China. Reputed as "the East Cambridge" in history, it has always been ranked among the few top universities in China, in terms of its comprehensive academic strength showed in teaching, research and social service.
- It is a major research university comprised of 21 colleges, 110 fields of undergraduate study, 264 fields for master degree study, 11 fields for professional master degree 31 and 181 fields in primary and secondary discipline levels, respectively for doctoral programs, and 39 fields for postdoctoral research.
- There are 8,464 faculty and staff members, including 12 members of Chinese Academy of Sciences and 8 members of Chinese Academy of Engineering.
- With six campuses,namely Yuquan, Xixi, Huajiachi, Hubin, Zhejiang, and Zijingang, Zhejiang University has a total area of 533 hectares and a floor space of 1,740,000 square meters.
- There are 6 hospitals affiliated to the University, providing medical services of various kinds for the public.
Time Commitment:
- One course/independent study during the 2005 spring semester to prepare for the project
- Act as an informal host to the Zhe Jiang team-mate during their semester at Carnegie Mellon University - note that, this student will then be your host during your semester in China
- Some cultural training (details still being worked out) and participation in the OIE exchange student orientation
- 2005 fall semester in China.
- Continue to be available via email for follow-up support through the 2006 spring semester
- Complete project technical report and presentation in 2006 spring semester
Preparation Requirements:
1. Cultural preparation During the 2005 spring semester, there will be a few workshops introducing the participants to the cultural issues of working abroad. The participants will also be responsible for doing background reading on the history and culture of China, and more specifically, the community they will be working with.
2. Technical preparation The STEP participants, working closely with their faculty advisors and the STEP administrators, will remotely communicate with their community partners to gain as broad an understanding as possible of the contextual issues. The participant will then research possible approaches and best practices that apply to the situation and design the project to be carried out in China. In this way, the participants will be well prepared for when he or she arrives on-site.
3. Logistical preparation There will be several logistical requirements, such as getting a passport, perhaps immunizations, working with program staff on travel arrangements, and the like.
Travel:Air travel to and from China will be sponsored by Carnegie Mellon University. Local travel for your project will be sponsored by Zhe Jiang University.
Accommodations:Zhe Jiang University will provide accommodation.
Meals:
Carnegie Mellon University will provide students with a monthly stipend to cover meals and other miscellaneous costs.
Academic Credit:Academic credit will be worked out on an individual basis. It is expected that all STEP participants will receive academic credit for their involvement in this exchange program.
Other Requirements:Most academic, application, and program requirements are located elsewhere in this document, but here are a few more to be aware of:
- Sign a study-abroad contract and student liability waiver at your pre-departure orientation
- Complete a Personal Data Sheet for the Office of International Education
- Obtain a passport
- Obtain a visa (we and Zhe Jiang University will help with this)
- Obtain health insurance or verify that health insurance will cover you while abroad.
- Obtain an International Student Identity Card (ISIC)
Everyone will be considered, but preference will be given to Juniors and Seniors in the Computer Science program.
1. Email one of the STEP administrators (Bernardine: mbdias@ri.cmu.edu, Joe: joemertz@cmu.edu, or Rahul: tongia@andrew.cmu.edu) with your interest in applying by noon Friday, October 29, 2004. We will help you through the application process.
2. Apply by noon, Friday, November 19, 2004 with:
- Statement of Interest: Describe in a 1-3 paragraphs why you are interested in participating in this program.
- Faculty advisor: Who will act as your faculty advisor for the project you undertake for this program?
- Project interests: What types of projects are you interested in working on in rural China? Note that the project must involve a technology component and must be relevant to a developing community in China (relatively close to Zhe Jiang University).
- Resume
- Academic transcript
Applications must be delivered by noon, Friday, November 19, 2004 to:
STEP
c/o M. Bernardine Dias
Robotics Institute
NSH 2105You will be notified about the success of your application before you have
to enroll in classes for the 2005 spring semester.This is a pilot program. Much planning has already gone into it, but it has not been tried and refined. Consequently, some program conditions and requirements may change. Applicants to the program should be prepared to work with some ambiguity and uncertainty. Flexibility and resourcefulness are important. If you apply, we will be sure to keep you posted as this develops. And at all times, let the STEP administrators know if you have any questions or concerns.
It would be wise to discuss your interest in this program with any family or other significant people in your life who would be impacted by your participation in the program.
