The Paper International Experience

In 2007, a new international travel opportunity was created for PSE students. Called the "Paper International Experience (PIE)," this program was intended to expose undergraduates to a different culture and to let them examine the paper industry in a different country. It was hoped that funding could be collected from individual supporters, companies, and organizations and used to reduce the costs for each student attendee. PIE was designed to be done every two years, with students participating as either juniors or seniors.

In the first PIE trip in May 2007, 21 PSE students traveled with two staff members, one faculty member, and one industry representative to China. During the 10-day trip, the participants interacted with students from the paper program at Nanjing Forestry University, and they visited five very modern papermaking facilities. They also toured Shanghai and Beijing.

Because of enormous support from the industry and from friends, students were able to attend the first PIE for a very low cost.

Overall, it is hoped that PIE will help the PSE program to produce a more "globally-aware" graduate that can help the US industry to be more competitive in the world market.

For the second PIE in May 2009, students have voted to visit mills in Chile. Alumni and industry representatives who are interested in participating in this exciting event should contact Med Byrd at med_byrd@ncsu.edu.