Some Auburn University seniors are completing their education over seas

Auburn University’s senior students are now just days away from graduating. For many it is a time of anxiety. For some it is a time of excitement about what may lie ahead.

Most graduating seniors are preparing their final projects or typing the last few words of their senior thesis, but for one group of Auburn seniors it means that in a couple of weeks their flight leaves for China where they will complete their college education.

A group of building science students at Auburn University will be traveling to China this summer in order to complete their senior thesis.

Each student has chosen a specific building science topic as the centerpiece for his or her thesis. For the entire spring semester, they have been diligently writing their thesis, which is due at the end of the semester. Actually, only part of it is due. The other part will be written while visiting China.

The idea is to gain practical knowledge of a topic in both America and China. The building science study abroad program will give its participants useful and applicable knowledge in not only American settings, but also Chinese. Students will then take their research and contrast their findings.

The trip will last five and half weeks. Not only will the students gain practical knowledge on their topics, but they will also be able to experience one of the most fascinating countries in the world. As China’s infrastructure continues to grow over night, it is important that we learn about its construction practices. This is the idea behind the study abroad program.

Harrison Bain is a senior at Auburn University. He is a building science major and is attending the China trip this summer.


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“I am actually really excited about the trip,” said Bain. “I never thought I would go to China, but this opportunity presented itself so now I am going.”

“Basically what we are doing is taking case study research, everybody has a different topic, and we are researching our topic here in the United States and then we will travel to China and research the same topic and compare and contrast our findings,” said Bain

The program will give participating students six credit hours.

“There was a prep class which was two hours,” said Bain. “The thesis itself I believe is four hours, but the prep class is all in the United States.”

The culture of China will no doubt be something new for these students.

“The culture over there is so different from ours,” said Bain. “I am excited to be right in the middle of it.”
“I can’t wait to eat the food,” said Bain. “I am going to eat a lot of the street vendor food. Beijing is famous for all of its street vendor food.”

The date of their departure grows nearer daily. Auburn University’s building science program is nationally recognized. With a study abroad program like this one, it is no wonder that the school as developed such a positive reputation.