Through Exchange Program, CMU Engineering Students Make Global Connections

Through the Global Campus Exchange(opens in new window) program, engineering students experience what it is like to be enrolled at another Carnegie Mellon University location. Nine students from Carnegie Mellon University in Africa(opens in new window) spent this past spring semester on the Pittsburgh campus, where they took courses, participated in student activities, and broadened their career prospects while experiencing a new city and culture. For many students from Africa, this program affords their first experience leaving the continent. 

“Students learn both socially and academically from their interactions with students from the Pittsburgh campus,” said Ines Manzi(opens in new window), associate director of student affairs at CMU-Africa. “They are also exposed to more variety in classes and can come back and advise on what we can add to the curriculum here.” 

During their time in Pittsburgh, students have a broader range of courses to choose from, particularly those instructed in person. 

“The diverse courses I took in Pittsburgh were eye-opening and stimulating,” said CMU-Africa student Brice Muvunyi. “I thoroughly enjoyed the patents class, which provided a unique perspective on the intersection of technology and law.” Muvunyi also studied Spanish and web app development during his time in the U.S. 

Student activities, both on and off campus, are also integral to the exchange program. From shopping, to skiing, to visiting museums, the students are able to take advantage of being part of a larger student body than in Kigali. 

Johncliff Mutungwa Ndabunguye applied to spend the semester in Pittsburgh because of the city’s strong academic institutions and diverse cultural atmosphere, as well as the course and research opportunities. As his time in Pittsburgh progressed, he was impressed by the vibrant and close-knit community. 

“I was amazed by how welcoming and friendly the people were, both within the university and the city as a whole,” he said. “The sense of camaraderie and support among students and faculty members made me feel instantly at home.” 

CMU-Africa student Sunday Nwanyim shares a day in his life as a student at Carnegie Mellon University's College of Engineering.

As these students consider future careers, they also gain exposure to companies that may not typically recruit in Rwanda. They can interview for jobs with organizations with a presence in Africa or in the U.S. Some students are intrigued by the proximity of tech companies to Pittsburgh. 

“I was amazed to find several leading tech companies, including Google, Microsoft, Amazon and Meta, have their offices there,” said Muvunyi. “This thriving tech ecosystem offers a unique opportunity to connect with professionals and understand the industry more practically.”

Mutungwa said that engaging with diverse perspectives made a significant impact on his future academic and career endeavors as he broadened his knowledge and enhanced his critical thinking skills. 

“The program provided me with valuable networking opportunities, allowing me to connect with professionals and researchers in my field of study,” he said “These experiences and connections will undoubtedly contribute to my future academic pursuits and career prospects.” 

Some students also decide to pursue a Ph.D. after their semester in Pittsburgh in order to continue with their research program alongside CMU faculty. Lynn Kirabo(opens in new window) participated in the exchange program in 2015 and its impact led to her decision to enroll in the Ph.D. program in the Human-Computer Interaction Institute(opens in new window) (HCII). 

“While in Pittsburgh, I got to take a number of human-computer interaction classes,” Kirabo said. “These classes introduced me to a field I was interested in and would often try to describe, but I didn’t fully have the vocabulary to express it.” 

Chris Harrison(opens in new window), a professor in HCII, spoke with Kirabo about the doctoral program while she visited from CMU-Africa, encouraging her to apply. Earlier this year she successfully defended her dissertation.

As part of the exchange program, Haoxiang Dai, a student from Carnegie Mellon University in Silicon Valley(opens in new window), traveled to CMU-Africa to study this past semester. A student in electrical and computer engineering(opens in new window), he was initially interested in studying in Africa because of a family member working there, but he had never been to the continent before. Having been born in China, the experience added another dimension to his worldview.

“It’s really interesting to see the cultural difference between the Western and Eastern society, and now in Africa,” said Dai. “It has provided me a really unique perspective to observe how people cooperate and how their culture affects their working style.”

With an interest in blockchain business, Dai was also drawn to CMU-Africa because of the continent’s rapidly growing adoption of cryptocurrencies and because of trade connections between his hometown of Guangzhou with Africa. 

“I’m curious about the business here (in Africa), and maybe I can make some meaningful impact,” he said. 

Dai learned a great deal from his experience in Africa: from the differences in interpersonal relations, to cuisine, to academic opportunities to work with students both in Pittsburgh and Africa. He was intrigued by the differences in interpersonal connections both in academic and social settings.

In previous iterations of this program, students from the U.S. have spent a semester in CMU-Africa, and Manzi said she hopes that this component of the exchange can be reinvigorated in the future.

“By sharing what our students are enjoying and what we have here, we hope that students in the U.S. will be interested in coming to spend a semester,” Manzi said.