Raver - Special Section
September 2008
Engineers + Scientests Abroad Comunity Enhancement Through Practical Application
The Big Picture You may not realize it now, but our world is becoming smaller and smaller. With an increase in technology over the past ten years, people have been able to communicate and build up new opportunities all over the globe. Engineers and Scientists Abroad is a dedicated student organization at the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology that is helping bridge the gap between international people and organizations that are in need of practical engineering and science. Since the fall of 2006, the students of Engineers and Scientists Abroad have been keeping up with the world’s pace. ESA currently has partnerships and projects based in the South American countries of Chile and Suriname. With these two projects, ESA is giving students the opportunity to use their engineering and science knowledge on the global scale. Through humanitarian effort, ESA is developing engineering and science professionals with international experience.
Connecting with Suriname
In the spring of 2007, Lt. Col. Tracy Settle of the South Dakota National Guard came to ESA with ideas about a new program in Suriname. Since finding out about this demanding project, ESA has started taking steps toward creating bonds with the embassy, university, and other organizations in Suriname. In November 2007, ESA members met with Surinamese delegates in both Rapid City, South Dakota and Paramaribo, Suriname in order to build trust and find potential engineering and science projects in their communities. After traveling to Suriname, ESA is currently addressing new possibilities. Several organizations (including the Amazon Conservation Team) and the University of Suriname are very interested in working with ESA and establishing partnerships. It is also possible that ESA could provide a partnership with the University of Suriname and SDSM&T that would allow exchange of students and faculty.
Working in the Andes Mountains
In the first year of passing a constitution to become a student organization at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, ESA traveled to VicuĂąa, Chile to work at a new campus for a vocational school. This project began with the non-profit organization, Vocation for Orphans (VFO), who operates out of the Black Hills area. VFO is currently establishing a school for vocational students and approached ESA with project ideas. The individual projects which have come about from this partnership include site design, concrete strength, water conservation, and a senior design team addressing power storage.
ESA Students
One of the many unique attributes of Engineers and Scientists Abroad is the diversity of disciplines. ESA students come from a range of backgrounds and consist of many fields of study. From mechanical engineering to chemistry to metallurgy, ESA is suited with strong individuals from each department at SDSM&T. When ESA students are at SDSM&T and back from working abroad, they are busy sharing with the community about their experiences traveling, working internationally, and embracing new cultures. ESA students truly appreciate their supporters and those who share the same passion to make a difference in our ever changing world.