Summer and Semester Abroad Opportunities

As a college student, you have an enormous number and range of opportunities to learn about the world and yourself by studying abroad.  This is the perfect time in your life to venture overseas, not just as a tourist or a backpacker, but as someone on a mission:  to observe, inquire, try, experience, and (yes) learn.

Studying abroad is not just about taking classes, although that's a good idea, too.  It's about seeing how life overseas differs from what Americans know and assume.  The customs and traditions, the minor aspects of daily life, the way people spend their leisure time, how cities are laid out and how public transportation works, the slightly strange foods that can quickly become your favorites - these are all parts of what a well-educated person in the 21 st century must know.  You also have an opportunity to learn about different approaches to education, to knowing, and to working. 

Many students will enter careers that involve frequent international travel, or even long periods of overseas residence.  An international student experience will encourage you to seek such opportunities, and will make you far more attractive to many employers (especially if you're inspired to learn an additional language or two).  Even if you never work overseas (which is increasingly unlikely), you'll view the "normal" aspects of study, life, and work in the US with a different perspective.  You'll view yourself as more versatile, resourceful, and aware.  And that's what college should be all about.

Georgia Tech offers a variety of international student experiences for undergraduates.  If you have even a slight interest in the possibility, you need to become familiar with two vital resources that can point you to the most rewarding opportunities, and help you plan your curriculum to take maximum advantage of an international experience.  The Office of International Education can provide you with complete information about a huge number of Georgia Tech study abroad programs in Europe, Asia, and South America, as well as programs run by other universities all over the world. (Currently 69 countries) And your academic advisor in your major can work with you on scheduling core and elective courses so that your time overseas has a minimum effect on your time to graduation.

Ivan Allen College sponsors semester-length study abroad programs in China, England, Belgium, Argentina, and Costa Rica, along with intensive language programs ("LBAT") in France, Germany, Japan, Mexico, and Spain.  Other Georgia Tech colleges sponsor study abroad programs in Australia, South America, Europe, and Asia;  IAC students can take these as well, since most of the courses do not require extensive prerequisites.  A complete list is at http://www.oie.gatech.edu/sa/programs/