Long term impacts of off-campus project work on student learning and development

This paper presents findings from an evaluation study of engineering alumni who experienced a project-based undergraduate curriculum, examining differences in reported learning gains between alumni who completed projects on campus and those who completed projects in off-campus locations, both domestic and international. Survey respondents who had completed at least one project away from campus reported significantly greater positive impact not only in areas in which it was anticipated - expansion of world views and personal development and enrichment - but in very specific areas of professional development related to interpersonal relationships, communication skills, and understanding of ethical responsibilities.