Heather Schwab is a junior studying chemical engineering with a minor in humanitarian engineering. She studied abroad in Guyana on the Humanitarian Engineering and Culture in Guyana program during winter break 2023. 

A couple things that made this experience memorable were people, culture, and the project. To fully step out of my comfort zone and go to another country was a big step. I wouldn’t have been able to do that without a trusted group of people. We had been together for a semester to learn about Guyanese culture and the project, but I feel like we really connected while abroad and implementing these photovoltaic systems alongside the community. The shared experiences of learning the culture as well as fully and authentically embracing Guyana is a special memory that I can’t forget.  

A distinct memory was talking about the photovoltaic system with one of the community members and getting to know them. It seems like a small conversation, but to truly be able to explain the components and talk about the possibilities they’re able to use this system gives another perspective of how practical and real this project is. It’s not a school project that you just throw together and call it a day. It’s impacting this community and can be expanded to promote sustainable energy and energy independence. 

I believe that without the experience abroad, it wouldn’t have had the same effect. To go abroad is a privilege, and while thinking of doing this project without the abroad aspect, I couldn’t imagine not having the experience of embracing Guyana, the foods, the people, the experiences, without feeling like something major is missing. Guyana has a special place in my heart, and there is a difference between having that hands-on experience, working with the community, and working on this project state-side. To truly see where these systems would be and forming relationships with the communities is an experience that brings everything together. Without the opportunity to go abroad, I feel that the experience would be missing a key component. 

I’ve learned that I love humanitarian engineering. I love working with others and considering the affected populations. I believe that anyone who may be affected should have a spot or venue to discuss with the teams who are designing something. After taking a first-year engineering course, we discussed the importance of user-centered design. From this and other experiences, I have found the passion of bringing humanities into engineering, as that can be forgotten in the engineering world. As I’m continuing my studies, there is always a part of me that wonders how I can better incorporate others to further progress society with engineering. This experience has truly shifted my mindset within engineering, and I’m grateful to have been able to in the presence of this special group to experience this together. 

I believe global citizenship means we are all citizens of the world. In this, I believe that everyone deserves human rights, and everyone has the duty to expand upon their own lived experiences and promote the wellbeing of others. While we have diverse cultures, languages, norms, etc., we still belong to the same earth, and are responsible to keep progressing societies and the earth for future generations.