When Kyle Lucas walked into Clough one year ago, he had no idea what was in store.

By this time last spring, Kyle had been nominated to study on his dream exchange program at Yonsei University in South Korea that coming Fall.

Like many prospective abroad students, Kyle had applied for an OIE administered scholarship in hopes of making his dream a reality.

When OIE scholarship advisor Ashlee Flinn asked Kyle to meet on April 13, 2016, he assumed that it was to discuss the World Student Fund scholarship he secured.

Meanwhile behind the scenes, OIE had been calculating a milestone surprise for the 20,000th student to go abroad. And, you guessed it, that student was Kyle Lucas.

A cadre of yellow jackets gathered in Clough lobby as shown above (including Dr. Yves Berthelot, Buzz, GT cheer and more) waiting to present Kyle with a giant plane ticket to Seoul, South Korea!

OIE scholarship advisor, Ashlee Flinn and EA coordinator Jacqueline Duplain recently met with Kyle to reflect upon the infamous 20kGIVEAWAY reveal, and where his experiences have led him today.

Update Q & A:

Ashlee Flinn: How did you feel when you realized you were the lucky 20,000th Georgia Tech student to go abroad?

Kyle Lucas: At first I was a little bit overwhelmed by the scope of the surprise, but when I look back I really appreciate how much time and effort went into it. The Office of International Education really care about the students and will do whatever they can to help them achieve their study abroad goals.

Jacqueline Duplain: What has been the most profound change study abroad has inspired you to do?

Kyle Lucas: I’m now planning to minor in Korean to build upon vernacular picked up in Seoul, and work toward fluency.”

Jacqueline Duplain: Did you experience culture shock abroad? How did you cope?

Kyle Lucas: I expected to feel culture shock abroad, so I felt more prepared when I noticed various signs.

Jacqueline Duplain: Did you experience reverse culture shock returning to Georgia Tech?

Kyle Lucas: I definitely noticed more diversity in the Tech student body than before studying abroad in Seoul, and feel a special intimacy with Korean exchange students after being immersed in Korean culture.

Ashlee Flinn: Would you consider studying abroad again?

Kyle Lucas: I actually will be studying abroad again, this time on the LBAT Summer Program in 2018. I also am looking into a Global Internship with OIE Global Internship Advisor, Allison Noffsinger.

Ashlee Flinn: Message to peers who are on the fence about studying abroad?

Kyle Lucas: There are so many resources through the Office of International Education that can help make studying abroad possible. Many of my friends want to study abroad, but are unsure if they can afford it or if they will be able to find the right program for their major. My message to those who are on the fence about studying abroad would be to speak with advisors at OIE, apply for scholarships, if you want it bad enough, there is a way to make it happen.