Cricket & Engineering: A World Not That Far Away

Visiting Brisbane’s cricket stadium, “The Gabba”.

Why did you decide to study abroad?

Harpreet Singh is a current junior in Mechanical Engineering at UW who hopes to eventually work in the manufacturing industry. He wanted to do something productive over the summer, was interested in Australia, and everyone who had gone abroad before seemed to burst with positive energy. Harpreet admits that he wanted to learn to be more open minded but he was concerned about how his introverted personality would adjust to studying abroad. Smiling, Harpreet relayed how his enthusiasm and curiosity made his decision to go very worthwhile.

Members of the group at Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary

Why did you choose this program?

The early fall start exploration seminar 'Aeronautics & Astronautics Australia: Design of Novel Materials and Structures: A Fusion of Art, Mathematics' fit well with Harpreet’s academics. This was a niche, unique program. There were 20 students all from UW who participated on the program. Like many students about to embark on study abroad with a group of people they hardly know, Harpreet was nervous about everyone getting along. It turned out to be an easygoing group that collaborated well together and he is still in touch with people. Everyone came from various majors but they all managed to receive flexible general engineering credit. The classes were mostly theory based, with attention on composite and fabrication techniques. Harpreet found that the theoretical foundation helped him apply concepts more easily once he returned to study at UW.

It was not all sunshine and daisies for Harpreet before he studied abroad. He knew he could not commit to the program without financial support, but aid from the UW study abroad scholarships, support from his family, and the Gilman scholarship were key in making this opportunity possible. Harpreet was selected as a Gilman scholar and completed a project upon his return. He made a brochure which he decided to tailor specifically for his program. He partnered with OMA&D to publish the brochure, which focused on three central areas- academics, exploration, and culture.

What did your daily schedule look like?

Posing in front of the Opera House

Performing a "Tensile test" to a wooden specimen as part of a lab activity, similar to UW's "Launch Pad" Makerspace.

The group attended class on campus at the Queensland University of Technology for 3 to 4 hours, 5 days a week. On the weekends the group typically explored the country. They traveled to Lady Elliot island and went snorkeling along the Great Barrier Reef. More locally, Harpreet attended the Brisbane festival and ran a 5k race. They visited a Boeing facility which felt unimposing considering that most of the group came from Seattle. Harpreet really enjoyed getting to know the indigenous people and attended an interactive play they had produced. The production tackled challenging issues including how history is affected by white

supremacy. Harpreet and his classmates stayed in new apartments on a sister campus. They shared work space with Australian students which allowed him to interact with the locals. After wrapping up homework they would go out to explore the city. During the week, Harpreet and his classmates planned ‘family dinners’. His teachers often joined them for these casual meals. This allowed the students to get to know their professors in an informal setting.

What was your most memorable experience?

Harpreet did not know how to swim but entered the sea (with a life jacket!) for the first time because it was an opportunity he couldn’t pass up. Needless to say, it was incredibly rewarding to float buoyantly in sapphire ocean with colorful fish all around. He also went sand boarding, ate a lot of kebab, and of course, attended a rugby game. Harpreet loves cricket, and he expected it would be the national sport so he was surprised to find that Australians seemed more invested in rugby.

Australia is less diverse than Seattle. Harpreet was unsure of what to expect regarding the hospitality and friendliness of Australians, and while they did not come across as friendly as Americans, he certainly wants to go back. The seasons are flipped in Australia, but Harpreet is interested in returning for one season in particular- cricket season! This was his first time outside of the country as an individual and he came to realize that “nothing is unachievable”, that he could do something anywhere in the world. He feels honored to have access to such global opportunities.

Petting a kangaroo at Beerwah Australia Zoo, Queensland