[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/vasily_ESAP_prog.jpg” caption=”Cathedral of Vasily the Blessed, Moscow”]Are you an engineering student who wants to see more of the world? Would you like to study abroad and earn credits while experiencing the culture of Eastern Europe? Well, now you can.

The Faculty of Engineering at McMaster has partnered with its colleagues at Michigan State University and two Russian Universities – State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering in Volgograd and St. Petersburg State Polytechnic University – to offer the Engineering Study Abroad Program(ESAP).

“This program allows students to gain new engineering knowledge while exploring the cultural diversity of Eastern Europe,” said Konstantin Kreyman, professor of computing and software, and program coordinator for ESAP at McMaster. “It is an excellent opportunity to gain an appreciation of the engineering environment of different countries.”

McMaster students will take classes during the summer term (May/June) in Volgograd, Russia together with students from engineering, education, mathematics, and humanities at Michigan State University, as well as several other American universities and Russian institutes of higher education. First-year through graduate courses are offered and will be taught in English by American, Canadian and Russian faculty members. Successful completion of the courses will qualify for credit at McMaster.

In addition to Volgograd, students will visit St. Petersburg (the former capital of Russia) and Moscow and may choose to also visit either Prague in the Czech Republic or Kiev in Ukraine.

“Participation will not only enhance professional development but will also improve career prospects and provide students with a life-changing experience,” explains Kreyman. “Students will acquire experiences that are highly valued by both Canadian and international companies working within domestic and world markets.”

Organizers are currently working to include Russian-based courses as well as several Russian language courses for interested humanities and engineering students. Russian courses are being designed to count for complementary studies electives required for all engineering programs. Plans are also underway to expand the study abroad program to include Brazil for summer 2007.

More information available at www.eng.mcmaster.ca/esap.