Through the Klemm Fellowship, I interned in Colombo, Sri Lanka, with Foresight Engineering and Access Solar, two companies focused on infrastructure development and renewable energy solutions. My experience encompassed diverse projects, including the installation of rural bridges to improve accessibility, large-scale solar installations in religious buildings, and the development of modern hospitals to enhance healthcare services. A significant portion of my time was dedicated to a nationwide solar installation project for religious institutions, where I managed Net Metering documentation and assisted in AutoCAD modeling for panel layouts. Additionally, I participated in a site visit for a mineral excavation project, observing functioning prototypes proposed by outsourcers. I also visited a hospital construction site to gain insight into healthcare infrastructure challenges. Although my background is in biomedical engineering, this internship provided invaluable interdisciplinary exposure, reinforcing the role of engineering in improving quality of life. I gained hands-on experience in technical documentation, CAD modeling, and site assessments while deepening my appreciation for the global impact of engineering solutions. Working alongside Sri Lankan engineers also provided insight into the importance of international aid in post-crisis development, resourceful problem-solving, and cross-disciplinary collaboration. This experience, made possible by the Klemm Fellowship, has broadened my professional perspective, demonstrating that meaningful contributions to underserved communities can be made across various engineering disciplines.
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