Shiley School of Engineering: Profile: Laura Coulter

Laura Coulter will graduate in 2012 with degrees in mechanical engineering and French studies, and as part of her program requirements she spent a semester studying in Nantes, France.

“As I enter my senior year, I have been reflecting on all the opportunities the University of Portland has provided me. Apart from excellent classes, the University has wonderful staff and professors who truly care about students and encourage growth both in and out of the classroom.”

Laura was able to merge two of her passions at the University – the French language and engineering. “Studying in Nantes was such a wonderful and different experience. We had lectures in museums and walked the street learning about architecture with professors only speaking French. I joke that I became French for four months during my stay. I ate French food, I commuted on the local trams and trains, and I became absorbed with the culture. With my conversations solely in another language, I was able to make so many friends in France. We were able to experience life in another part of the world together. I also spent a lot of time with my host family, sharing meals and watching American television that was dubbed in French. It was a complete immersion and I can’t wait to go back again.”

Laura is also active in extracurricular engineering activities. Last year, she and a friend brought other engineering students together to compete for the first time in NASA’s Lunabotics Mining Competition. After that experience, they decided to officially create a Robotics Club, with assistance from their professor, Deborah Schenberger. Today, Laura is the club’s secretary and the president of Tau Beta Pi, the University’s engineering honor society. When she graduates, Laura wants to become an engineering in a French-speaking country.