Ava's Experience in Bolivia with the Global Engineering Access Scholarship

For Ava, spending six weeks in Bolivia through Engineers in Action was an opportunity to apply engineering skills in a meaningful way while working alongside a local community to create lasting infrastructure. During her time abroad, Ava and her team partnered with community members in the rural community of Qonapati Challviri to construct a pedestrian footbridge. 

“Our team of students worked alongside local community members to construct a pedestrian footbridge in the rural community of Qonapati Challviri. This bridge now provides much safer and easier access to healthcare, schools, markets, and other essential resources. Being able to take part in this project and see the direct impact it had on the community was very meaningful”.

Ava also served as the team’s Safety Manager, where she led daily safety briefings, conducted site inspections, and ensured all team members and community members had proper personal protective equipment. The team worked six days a week completing hands-on construction work, including shoveling sand and gravel, moving rocks, cable hoisting, and deck assembly.

One of the most memorable moments of the experience was the end-of-project celebration, when the bridge was completed and the community was able to cross it for the first time. The bridge now provides safer and easier access to healthcare, schools, markets, and other essential resources, making a lasting impact on the community. Click here to learn more about Engineers in Action.