Check out how our students are engaging in Learn By Doing in a global context! The Spanish Debate Team went to Baja, Mexico in March where Cal Poly novice debaters placed first in the LEGADOS-MÉXICO 2023 Debate Tournament, hosted by CETYS University! The Cal Poly in Panama: Sustainability program relaunches after a COVID-induced hiatus allowing students to get hands-on experience of sustainability and the built environment. Cal Poly’s College of Engineering established a new exchange with Zhejiang University of Technology in Hangzhou, China and just sent their first student on the exchange this spring. This summer, Elvira Pulitano, Ethnic Studies, is leading the new Cal Poly in Sicily program where students live in a historic neighborhood in Palermo and engage in a variety of activities, field trips, and overnight excursions to significant locations throughout Sicily.
LEGADOS-MÉXICO 2023 Debate Tournament
Cal Poly novice debaters Araceli Aronín, Sebastian Laprea and Alejandro Valentín Martínez win first in the LEGADOS-MÉXICO 2023 Debate Tournament, hosted by CETYS University in Baja, California. The Cal Poly Team successfully advocated that significant reforms could be achieved for the H-2A visa through increased ease and accessibility of information for all in their native language.
Cal Poly is the only public university in the United States to have a Spanish-language Debate Program, supported by the Departments of World Languages and Cultures and Communication Studies. These Spanish-language advocacy events train our students to better advocate for themselves and their communities.
Cal Poly in Panama: Sustainability
During our recent Spring Break, Prof. Scott Kelting of Cal Poly’s Construction Management department led a group of students to Panama on a week of hands-on experiential service learning and cultural immersion in Panama. On this two-phase program, students took an online GE course on Sustainability and the Built Environment during the winter quarter, and then traveled to Panama during spring break for an intensive week of ‘learn by doing.’ This program is run in partnership with Learn From Travel, an enterprise focused on immersive educational travel that is environmentally, socially, and economically responsible. On this program, students engage with a variety of sustainable design and construction techniques used by Panamanian locals and enjoy the natural beauty and abundant cultural and recreational activities along Panama’s Pacific coastline, and conclude the trip with a visit to historic Panama City. Learn more about this program at https://abroad.calpoly.edu/index.cfm?FuseAction=Programs.ViewProgramAngular&id=10897.
Exchange Programs
Ashesi University
By John Oliver (he/him), Professor of Computer Engineering, Visiting faculty at Ashesi University
Zhejiang University of Technology in Hangzhou, China Exchange Program
Cal Poly’s College of Engineering established a new exchange with Zhejiang University of Technology in Hangzhou, China and just sent their first student, Mitchell, on the exchange this spring!
“Challenging. Immersive. Amazing. This describes my first 2 months so far studying abroad at Zhejiang University of Technology (ZJUT). From being forced to practice my Mandarin on a daily basis to appreciating how modern and safe this country is, my experience in China has been both challenging and eye-opening in all the best possible ways. Initially I struggled navigating life on my own in a foreign country, but I have adapted. I’ve made friends with not only Chinese students in my classes, but also with other international students. Together, we’ve enjoyed wonderful food, including hotpot restaurants, street food at night markets, and the plethora of on-campus dining options. I have also explored the beautiful sights of Hangzhou, including Westlake, the Xixi Wetlands, historical museums, grand shopping malls, and even the Olympic stadium being used for this year’s Asian Games. I am extremely grateful for all the support from my family, Cal Poly, and ZJUT to make this experience a reality, enabling me to be the first Cal Poly student to study abroad in China during the school year.”
Mitchell F.
Industrial Engineering Major
Cal Poly in Sicily: Language & Culture
We are thrilled to announce our newest custom Cal Poly Global Program, launching in June 2023. Cal Poly in Sicily: Language & Culture is a 4-week, 8-unit program designed and led by Prof. Elvira Pulitano of Cal Poly’s Ethnic Studies department. On this program, students earn GE credit for a World Languages and Cultures class that focuses on multi-culturalism, ethnic solidarity, and immigration, plus GE credit for an Italian language class taught by local faculty (all levels offered). Students live in dorm-style apartments in the historic neighborhood of Ballaró in Palermo and engage in a variety of faculty-led activities, field trips, and overnight excursions to historically significant locations throughout Sicily. The program is run in collaboration with Academic Initiatives Abroad (AIA), a long-standing partner organization of Cal Poly whose founder and President, Scott Schlimgen, is a former faculty member of Cal Poly’s architecture department. Learn more about this exciting program at https://abroad.calpoly.edu/index.cfm?FuseAction=Programs.ViewProgramAngular&id=10899.
Engineers Without Borders
During Spring Break 2023, five engineering students with Engineers Without Borders traveled to a remote community in Nicaragua to complete an ongoing, 5-year project to bring clean water to that community. The trip marked the completion of a water distribution system, involving a new well, water tank with chlorinator, pumphouse and distribution pipelines to about 50 families. The students were accompanied by a professional engineer and a Cal Poly Spanish professor. Together, the group met with all stakeholders, including the community’s water committee and community members, local professional engineers and local NGOs to complete this project. It was an unforgettable experience for the students and a resounding success for a community that now has access to clean water 24/7, along with the know-how and tools to maintain the system!