Students Gain Perspective through International Co-op

In a diverse and globally expanding society, it is crucial that students become capable of working in cross-cultural industries and environments. Universities are taking proactive measures to ensure the success of their students professionally and to enhance students’ ability to work with people of differing races, cultures and ethnicities.

The University of Cincinnati embraced a multi-cultural approach some time ago through recruitment of students to study abroad and/or participate in international assignments.  

UC's College of Engineering and Applied Science has been working for nearly two decades to enhance its International Co-Op Program (ICP) and extend opportunities to students to expand their cultural knowledge and core education while learning to become leaders within a global society. 

Each year, 25-30 CEAS students participate in the ICP and travel to worldwide destinations. “The program combines language and cultural preparation with a double-section international co-op experience the fourth year,” says program director Gayle Elliott. 
 
But more goes into these abroad experiences than just obtaining a visa and job. “Students learn German, Japanese or Spanish and travel to a country which speaks the language they studied,” says Elliott.  These students go through months of preparation to be able to live in this completely unfamiliar culture. Learning to speak the language is one of the most important parts. 

Elliott adds, "UC was one of the first schools in the U.S. to offer an international co-op program to engineering students. The program was created to give students second-language skills and cross cultural competencies, making them more marketable at graduation. We found they got so much more. Students demonstrate that they are flexible, adaptable, willing to take risks, and deal with ambiguity. They successfully work in a professional environment, live within a different culture, speaking a foreign language that most did not know seven months earlier.”

International co-op students take a six week intensive language course that is the equivalent of three years of high school language, all packed into one course. “It helped greatly to improve our vocabulary and familiarity with the language,” states Ben Zeigler. “My group then had a three credit hour course during both of the next two quarters of engineering coursework, to keep us used to German, learning more about the country, and again learning more vocabulary. Upon arrival in Germany last March, our whole group of 12 took a two week language course in Cologne together, before dispersing to our various work cities.” 

Zeigler, class of 2012, spent the last six months in Kitzingen, Bavaria, Germany, where he worked for an engine wire harness production-company called Leoni. Zeigler recalls his greatest challenge and proudest moment being an assignment he received from the Leoni U.S. facility which he completed and then delivered his final presentation in German. 

Ziegler’s two major projects for the second half of this time were developing a wire pull-test and creating a rapid prototype foam tool. “I first developed a wire pull-test to examine and quantify how well Leoni's different wires adhered to the polyurethane foam they use on their harnesses. I set up and ran the tests, examined results and made suggestions to improve and continue the test for the next person to work on the project.”

“I then collaborated with Leoni in the U.S. to have a rapid prototype foam tool made in our Technikum lab. This tool was to encompass a small wiring harness and display all the different fastening options, connector exits, and other harness features Leoni provides - all in one display. I worked with Technikum to optimize the tool so that there were no problems with the foam, built five of the harnesses myself, and then foamed 10 pieces (five without wires, five with) to be sent back to the U.S. I also instructed a couple of the Leoni employees as to the process and parts needed, since Leoni-Kitzingen wanted to make a few of the models for themselves. My final presentation encompassed all the work I had done during my five months at Leoni.”

Vi Phan, also from the class of 2012, spent his double co-op of six months in Shiga Prefecture, Japan. Here he was employed at Toyobo, working in their research center. The adaptability that Phan possesses allowed him to excel in his work. He had his own responsibilities and really felt like part of the company. 

“Toyobo is mainly focused on the development of environmental, life science, and automotive technologies. I would be considered part of the environmental department because my research and experiments were focused on reducing NOx emissions via adsorption technologies. I worked as a research assistant for the adsorption filter group. My biggest project was an extensive research of materials that can be used to improve the overall removal of NOx per cost of material. A final presentation capped my 4 months with the company.”

“As a person, I never felt like just knowing one language and one culture was ever enough,” Phan states. “Experiencing something so different and so foreign, it allowed me to think differently and see things/learn things that I otherwise would not have if I spent my entire life in the U.S.”  But for Phan, the language wasn’t easy. “Sometimes communication takes a little longer than it needs to be because I’m checking to be sure that I head the instructions correctly and people are emphasizing certain points to make them clear.” 

Both students regarded the culture and the language barrier to be the biggest challenges that they faced. Zeigler explained that, “Technical terms in another language are enough to turn heads. Germans value vacation much more than workers in other countries, especially the U.S.  I was often delayed by my boss or another decision maker being on a vacation.”

The locations they selected were based on their own preference. When discussing the reasons he chose Japan, Phan indicated that, “As a Vietnamese-American, I didn't really think much of Japan. The country and culture just seemed so distant and so different than any other place in the world so it was difficult to get interested. It was probably sometime during my junior year of high school that one of my friends really introduced me to the country and its culture. Whether it was the abundance of cool gadgets, the exotic architecture, my fascination with their unique style of animation, or the beautiful mix of modern and ancient Japan... I'm not sure what really got me hooked on the country, but I knew I really wanted to go.”

With a last name of Zeigler, Germany, was an obvious choice for Ben. “Germany was a clear choice for me because of my German heritage. With Leoni as my employer in the United States, it was natural that they offered to send me to headquarters because of my interest in Germany. A strong economy, a great culture, central European location, and an interesting language all contributed to my interest. Even the Germans would ask us, 'Why Germany?' We would tell them the same thing, how much we love their country. They were always extremely thrilled to hear this.”

For Ben Zeigler and Vi Phan, the experiences they enjoyed will be remembered for the rest of their lives.

Currently, students on campus are preparing for their upcoming trips. One of these students is Danessa Smith, a mechanical engineering major and Asian minor in the class of 2013 who spent the summer quarter taking an intensive Japanese class in Tokyo, Japan.

“Although the class was challenging and over such a short period of time, the opportunity was once in a life time. Everything we learned in the class that day could be immediately applied while we explored Tokyo and talked with the Japanese,” Smith comments.     

Smith will return to Japan in spring 2012 to continue her international co-op experience. She has yet to receive her co-op work placement but is looking forward to the opportunities she will have at any of the participating companies.  She, and many others in the program, will live, work and learn in Japan through spring and summer quarters. 

The students involved in the ICP have a passion for adventure and learning. Staying inside the traditional education forum is far from what they want.  These students use their passion to create opportunities for themselves in a way that is an invaluable life experience that also enhances their professional careers. 

The International Co-op Program collaborates with a long list of companies that students find adds real strength to their resume.  Some of these companies are:

Audi, Bayer Group, BMW AG, Deutsche Bahn,  Emerson, Forschungszentrum Jülich, General Cable,  GE, HP, IHI Corporation, JFE Steel, Leoni,  Makino, The Modal Shop Inc.,  Pilz, Procter & Gamble, Siemens, Texas Instruments, Toyobo, and Wacker Chemie GmbH . 

Graduates of this program have worked all over the world, with alumni currently working in Japan, South America, Germany, Saudi Arabia, and more.

The ICP began with its first group in 1992. Students began their language instruction classes and then commenced co-op opportunities abroad in 1993. The program’s seniors graduated in 1994. Many ICP graduates have stellar careers and remain strongly supportive of the university.

Based on his work with the ICP, Karl Zimmer (class of 1999) was honored with the Jeffrey Hurwitz Young Alumni Outstanding Achievement Award, an honor given to an alumnus aged 35 or younger who has significant professional achievement in their field and continued to serve the university and community. Also, William Finke (class of 1996) received this year’s John A. Curry award from the World Association for Cooperative Education (WACE) for creating international opportunities for co-op students. 

As for the importance of this program in the college and at the University, Zeigler said it all when he stated, “There's no doubt in my mind that I became a more well-rounded student and person. Living and learning another culture completely opens up your mind and gives you the thirst for even more similar experiences. I want to continue in my German studies and hopefully have the opportunity to go back. Without question, my newly opened and world-cultured mind is an advantage in any future career choice.”

Read Zeigler and Phan’s blogs for more on their co-op abroad experiences!