Interaction with foreign students in the United States is helpful but not sufficient. There is a need to encourage and facilitate study and work abroad for undergraduate and graduate students. The world of engineering is rapidly changing and growing. Many American companies do business on foreign soil. The optimization of the production and sales procedures indicates a need for extensive coordination.
Companies operating abroad perform their work using their own technical staff or local engineers.
In both cases there is a need for communication and an understanding of the standards and regulations in both countries. Engineers educated in the U.S. are being exposed to foreign requirements and conditions more often. A lack of knowledge can lead to problems such as extra costs, delays and less competitive performance. Language can also create a barrier in an increasingly competitive environment. It is a fact of life that English is the international language of business.