Cabrillo Engineering Abroad Program 2023-24

Cabrillo Engineering Abroad Program (CEAP) is a unique program within the California Community College system. It is one of only a few community colleges nationwide to offer an engineering based study abroad. This opportunity allows students to see themselves as engineers before graduating and has proven to solidify classroom concepts, build confidence while problem solving, connect with fellow students in a collaborative manner, and reduce dropout rates while driving further educational achievement.

CEAP is designed to allow students pursuing careers in engineering to gain real world experience while also providing assistance in the local community of Providencia de Dota in Costa Rica. Our goal is to continue to transform their conventional coffee farms using organic/permaculture methodologies, while gaining hands-on experience, exploring a new culture, and learning through service.

The program has been ongoing since 2013, and every year a new cohort of Cabrillo engineering students from diverse backgrounds are guided by experienced engineers through projects that have positively impacted communities abroad. Given limited resources, tech, and tools, we persevere through adaptive and creative problem solving.

This year's group members come from different cultural backgrounds and came together through a passion of further expanding our knowledge of different cultures and engineering. Half of the cohort are first generation students and several of us have never traveled outside of the US before.

The Engineering Abroad program is meant to be accessible to all engineering students, so students contribute only what they can afford. The approximate cost per person is $5000 (flight, food, and board). In addition to gofundme, we are working to earn funds through other means such as study abroad scholarships and fundraisers. Our goal is to raise $60,000 to cover the cost of this program. Any funds beyond the needs of this year’s program will be allocated towards future abroad groups.

Previous teams have:

We are grateful for your contribution and support. Any donation helps make this experience possible, and have a direct impact on our educational endeavors and the lives of the community we serve.

Check out more about the program, here .

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More information about Cabrillo College Foundation: The Cabrillo College Foundation was established in 1965 as a non-profit, tax-exempt 501 (c)(3) organization. The Foundation's mission is to provide aid supplementary to public tax dollars for the support and benefit of Cabrillo College.