Students Discuss New Exchange Program with Universidad Carlos III de Madrid

In 2015, the Universidad Carlos III (UC3) de Madrid, the Mason Global Center, assistant professor Vasiliki Ikonomidou, and former bioengineering academic advisor Anya Sailey laid the groundwork and established a transferrable curriculum for an exchange student program.

Trough this agreement, four Mason bioengineering students will study in Spain in 2017. And in fall 2015, Volgenau’s Bioengineering Department received its frst UC3 exchange students, David Martos-Ruiz and Marina Martinez-Hernandez.

Te exchange program with University Carlos III de Madrid not only ofers bioengineering students a unique cultural opportunity to spend a semester or a whole year abroad while seamlessly integrating with their study plan, it also ofers an important educational opportunity. Bioengineering is a very wide subject, making it very difcult, if not impossible, for a single department to cover all aspects of it. By combining the oferings of both universities, students from both sides have a wider range of choices to pursue the parts of bioengineering they are most interested in.

So far, we have had a wonderful experience with the frst exchange students visiting Mason from Spain, and we are looking forward to welcoming more next year, as well as sending more U.S. students to Madrid.

Sailey sat down with Martos-Ruiz and Martinez-Hernandez and asked them to share their thoughts about their experience.

How did you learn about the direct exchange opportunity with George Mason University? Martos-Ruiz: Tere are two major universities in Madrid. Students choose UC3 due to its robust exchange program, and the opportunity to study abroad in the United States. Top students receive scholarships to study abroad in universities across the United States.

What are some major differences you’ve noticed between the environments of UC3 and Mason? Martinez-Hernandez: Both universities are very large. Both are very diverse in terms of international exchanges and study-abroad options. At Mason, students are required to complete mandatory homework assignments, whereas at UC3, the learning environment is more selfpaced and independent.

What do you think of the social experience at Mason? Were you able to make friends easily? Martos-Ruiz: Yes, it was very easy to make friends at Mason. Living on campus greatly assisted us in meeting new people. Joining on-campus student clubs and activities such as Azucar (Salsa Club) and intramurals (basketball) was very benefcial to this process as well.

Marina Martinez-Hernandez (left) and David Martos-Ruiz attended Mason’s Celebration of Student Scholarship in spring 2016.

Did you feel engineering course work at Mason was able to supplement your knowledge from UC3? Martinez-Hernandez: Tere were several course oferings and lab placements at Mason that were not available at Carlos III. Tis experience can hopefully assist us in terms of career development, such as fnding a job or an internship. Job prospects are greater in the United States than in Spain, so this study-abroad experience can be used as a stepping stone to joining the industry.

A version of this story appeared in the spring 2016 Bioengineering newsletter.

Cost Comparison

WHERE TUITION COURSE FEES ON-CAMPUS HOUSING OFF-CAMPUS HOUSING AIRFARE

TOTAL WITHOUT MEALS OR PERSONAL EXPENSES: GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY UNIVERSIDAD DE CARLOS III MADRID

$5,376 in-state; $15,699 out-of-state $492–$612 $3,715–$4,880/semester NA $0

Instate:

Tuition and fees only: $5,868–$5,988 Tuition/fees/Housing: $9,583–$10,868

Out-Of-State:

Tuition/fees/Housing: $19,906–$21,191 $5,376 in-state; $15,699 out-of-state $525 $3,104–$3,800/semester $1,200–$2,000/semester $1,100

Instate:

Tuition/fees/Housing on-campus/Airfare: $10,105–$10,801 Tuition/fees/Housing off campus/Airfare: $8,201–$9,001

Out-Of-State:

Tuition/fees/Housing on campus/Airfare: $20,428–$21,124 Tuition/fees/Housing off campus/Airfare: $18,524–$19,324