About ESIO

Engineering Students for International Outreach began as a class project at Penn State University in 2007. The course, “Engineering 493 – Leadership Experience,” tasked teams of students with semester long independent projects. One group of students had the task of trying to raise roughly $15,000 to fund building a schoolhouse in Cambodia. Once embarking on this endeavor, the students quickly clashed with university policy that only student clubs could fundraise on campus. As a result, the project shifted from fundraising to creating the framework and establishment of an organization that could fundraise. Considering each of the students in this group was engineering major, the student organization “Engineering Students for International Outreach (ESIO)” came to be.

Since then, the club has evolved into working on projects around the world including Mexico, Morocco, and Pakistan. As long as the club operates, ESIO will continue to work on international outreach be it through awareness, fundraising, or design. Beyond striving to contribute to international outreach, ESIO is used as a vehicle for students to practice leadership skills and is inclusive of all majors and professional disciplines.

Mission Statement

Penn State students improving the College of Engineering through international outreach and philanthropy to further enhance the skills needed to become a world class leader. International outreach is through awareness, fundraising, and educating others by working closely with administration, faculty, and donors.

Goals of ESIO

1. To make a difference internationally in areas that have outstanding need for improvement.

2. To educate Penn State students and the community about current world issues.

3. To enhance the “global engineer” aspect the College of Engineering strives for.

4. To create and sustain a group that will maintain the mission statement

5. To send students abroad on international relief/awareness trips.