Taking Discovery Beyond the Classroom
DURING THE SUMMER academic break, University of Southern Indiana students swapped typical vacations for transformative learning experiences that took them across the globe and deep into their fields of study. From building bridges in southern Africa to studying geology in Yellowstone and exploring cultural life in the Amazon, these journeys showcased the power of hands-on learning and global engagement.
BUILDING BRIDGES, BUILDING FUTURES
USI's Engineers in Action (EIA) chapter played a key role in completing two life-changing bridges in Eswatini, Africa, while making EIA history. The Khelekhele footbridge spans 93.5 meters (approximately 307 feet) across the Black Mbuluzi River, providing safe, year-round access for more than 4,250 residents. USI led the project alongside students from Penn State University and the University of Colorado Boulder.
When construction stalled after workers hit an underground rock, students from all three universities showed resilience and problem-solving skills that kept the project moving. Soon after, USI partnered with Cornell University and University College London on the global EIA organization's first-ever, student-led suspension bridge. The Hlanganani suspension bridge and the Khelekhele footbridge now connect more than 6,000 residents to schools, clinics and markets.
The legacy of these bridges is both practical and symbolic: communities are stronger, and a new generation of engineers has gained invaluable experience in international collaboration, leadership and innovation. For USI students, this summer marked their sixth and seventh bridge builds, a testament to years of sustained commitment to the project. Beyond the construction itself, students fully immerse themselves in the local culture—working, eating and sleeping alongside community members, while also socializing, learning the language and engaging with local customs. This exchange not only strengthens the bridges they build but also the human connections that endure long after the projects are complete.
DISCOVERING EARTH'S STORY
Closer to home, a group of geology students, guided by Dr. Paul Doss, Professor Emeritus of Geology; Dr. Tony Maria, Chair and Professor of Geology; and Dr. Carrie Wright M'17, Professor of Geology, undertook a rigorous field course across the Black Hills of South Dakota and the Yellowstone Plateau.
Students hiked to see 50-million-year-old petrified trees, explored hydrothermal explosion sites and studied rock formations that reveal Earth's ancient history. Beyond geology, the course included discussions of Indigenous history and public land management, illustrating how science, culture and policy intertwine.
Camping in primitive conditions, the students forged camaraderie and confidence while transforming classmates into colleagues. The immersive experience encouraged them to see themselves not only as learners but also as future stewards of the planet.
ANTHROPOLOGY IN THE AMAZON
Meanwhile, anthropology students, Nicholas Mack and Ashleigh Ream traveled to Peru under the guidance of Dr. Daniel Bauer, Professor of Anthropology, immersing themselves in the vibrant life of the Amazon basin. For these students, the trip was eye-opening. They were struck by the bustling energy of the markets of Iquitos, followed by the slower rhythms of village life along the river. The students completed supervised research projects aimed at gaining an understanding of human interactions with the natural environment, while learning and applying methods of ethnographic research.
Highlights ranged from fishing for piranha to playing volleyball with villagers, but the deeper impact came from witnessing the resilience of local communities. "To spend every day trying to make it to the next—catching or foraging food, facing sickness and lack of clean water—was humbling," Mack reflected. "I will never be the same after what I experienced."
For these aspiring anthropologists, the experience of being unconnected from technology—and the wider world—for days reinforced the importance of cultural understanding in a rapidly changing global context.
LEARNING WITHOUT WALLS
Whether building bridges in Africa, studying geology in America's natural wonders or living among communities in Peru, USI students proved that some of the most powerful lessons are learned beyond the classroom. These experiences not only deepened academic knowledge but also fostered resilience, empathy and global awareness, qualities that will shape their futures and the communities they serve.
