Technical Experiences in Electrical Engineering
Learn in world-class engineering labs, immersed in Swiss culture
Information last updated: September 23, 2026
Subject to change.
Connect theory to real-world industrial scenarios
Gain hands-on practical experience and access world-class laboratory facilities while being immersed in Swiss culture.
Throughout your month in Fribourg, you will fall into a routine working alongside Swiss instructors and researchers, developing your skills, knowledge, and professional network while also participating in technical and cultural field trips. Some of the sites your group may visit during this time include the Cern Nuclear Research Centre, Swiss chocolate factory tours, and nearby cities like Broc, Chatillon, Lucerne, and Veytaux.
ESE students will select two out of three courses:
- The mandatory course ENEL 519.62 — System Industrialization Applied to Electrical Engineering covers methodological principles for designing electric and electronic systems, with a focus on model-based engineering using MATLAB. It explores CE certification, relevant international and national standards (e.g., for low-voltage devices, electrical machines, and EMC), and examines system reliability and functional safety through both qualitative and quantitative methods. Practical applications and case studies will help students connect theoretical concepts to real-world industrial scenarios.
Students will also select one of the following two courses:
- The course ENEL 519.54 — High-Voltage Engineering may be attractive to students in electrical engineering, addressing theory and application of HV engineering to modern power systems. Specific topics include mathematical treatment of HV phenomena, conduction & breakdown of insulators, HV transmission lines/components, and HV testing & characterization.
- The course ENEL 519.57 — IP Networking may appeal to students in software engineering, giving a broad view of the protocols and technologies used to design & deploy modern IP networks. It has a strong laboratory focus and addresses architectures, switching, routing, performance, and security issues.
Meet your instructors
Philippe Gray
Philippe Gray is an Assistant Professor in the area of power electronics in the Schulich School of Engineering at the University of Calgary. He received his B.A.Sc. (Hons.) degree in engineering science, M.A.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees in electrical engineering from the University of Toronto in 2010, 2013 and 2022, respectively. From 2012 to 2013, Dr. Gray was a Visiting Researcher at ABB Corporate Research in Västerås, Sweden. From 2014 until 2017, he was a System Design Engineer at General Electric in Stafford, UK, working on high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission schemes. From 2022 until 2023, he was a Senior Power Electronics Engineer at Lucid Motors in California, where he worked on onboard charger design.
Ioana Preda
I’ve been teaching in the electrical engineering department at HEIA Fribourg for the past ten years. I try to teach my students about the materials used in electrical engineering, the basics of electricity and the different ways of producing and storing electricity. Teaching is a passionate job, but in practice teaching “generation C” can be a real challenge. Just like in the past, we have to captivate the attention of an audience thirsty for information, but now the students are often very impatient. And as a teacher, you constantly have to question yourself, and you have to – or at least it’s better to – incorporate new teaching techniques and technologies, using the resources designed for younger generations. Teaching in the digital era and channelling young people’s energy into learning – both inside and outside the classroom – requires a lot of personal investment. But it’s worth it when you see the results. For me, that’s the beauty of this job.
Important dates
Questions?
Academically, the High Voltage Engineering course offered a lab experience unlike anything in Calgary; it was very fun and exciting.
Delanie, past program participant
Schulich School of Engineering
Upcoming program info sessions
Courses
Students in this program are required to enroll in two courses:
Mandatory
And choose one of the following two options:
Prerequisites
- ENEL 519.57: ENEL 471
- ENEL 519.54: ENEL 487
Questions about these courses should be directed to the program instructor.
Itinerary
Travel can be unpredictable. Global Classroom travel itineraries are tentative and subject to change, including while in the field.
- TBD: Pre-departure orientation
- May 1: Flight from Calgary to Fribourg (via Zurich or Geneva airport)
- May 2: Arrival and logistics
- May 3: Field trip — Getting to know Fribourg
- May 4–5: Lectures/labs
- May 6: Bank holiday
- May 7: Study day
- May 8–9: Weekend
- May 10–11: Lectures/labs
- May 12: Field trip — Net+
- May 13–14: Lectures/labs
- May 15–16: Weekend
- May 17: Bank holiday
- May 18: Field trip — Loxo and Bern
- May 19–21: Lectures/labs
- May 22–23: Weekend
- May 24: Field trip — ElectroBroc
- May 25–26: Lectures/labs
- May 27: Bank holiday
- May 28: Field trip — CERN
- May 29–30: Weekend
- May 31: Lectures/labs
- June 1–2: Final exams
- June 3: Return to Calgary
Accommodation
Participants will be staying in hotel rooms shared with one other student. Rooms include single bed, private bathroom (shared with your roommate), a small study space area, and kitchenette.
Accommodation is close to the university. Students will receive a bus pass as part of their program fees.
Cost
The estimated cost of the Technical Experiences in Electrical Engineering Global Classroom includes tuition for 6 units (two 3-unit courses), airfare, field trips, local transportation, accommodations, and meals. The program cost is $11,706.
For the full cost breakdown and payment deadlines, please see the program Student Cost Summary.
Important information regarding deposit payments: Deposits are non-refundable. Deposits secure your space in the program and allows payment for logistical arrangements to be made in advance.
Eligibility
This program is open to undergraduate students in good academic standing from the Schulich School of Engineering — Electrical and Software Engineering concentrations only.
FAQ
Please ensure that you have read the Global Classroom FAQ thoroughly before applying.
Students will travel to Europe as a tourist (Schengen visa).
Please note: If you are travelling on a non-Canadian passport, please check if you will need to apply for the Schengen visa in advance. Visa appointments are limited and the visa process can be challenging please be aware of your circumstances prior to applying to this program. If you're an international student, please book an appointment with one of our advisors to go through the International Checklist.
A set number of spaces are available for the program. Student applications will be reviewed after the deadline and notified of whether you have been accepted/declined/waitlisted. While good academic standing is required, GPA is not the only factor considered. Instructors will look for students from a variety of backgrounds and motivation to make up the travelling group.
No, participation in this program is not open to visiting or Open Studies students.
Funding
This is a UCalgary course so you can apply for any awards and scholarships you are eligible to receive from the university, as well as student loans.
There are also several Global Experiences awards you can apply for, including the Global Access Fund and the Global Learning Award.
How to apply
All applications require a written application (completed online) and an unofficial transcript.
Applications will be considered after your online application and supplementary documents have been received in full.
Announcements on whether you have been selected to the program will not be distributed until after the November deadline.
The online application asks you questions about how the program will meet your goals (academic reasons, personal interest, career prospects, etc.), how you plan to finance your program, and coping skills for travelling abroad. These questions are designed to help narrow down your motivation for applying, and why you should be selected.
Upload your unofficial transcript when you complete your online application.
Meet your advisor
Andrea Santos V.
Andrea’s journey has taken her from Mexico to France, India, and now Canada. She earned her degree in Communication Sciences at Tecnológico de Monterrey, spending a semester abroad at Sciences Po Lille in France, where she discovered just how life-changing international experiences can be.
