The School of Modern Languages teaches five of the major languages which are designated by the U.S. State Department as "critical" for national security and economic competitiveness "" Chinese, Japanese, Russian, Arabic, and Korean. This year's expansion of the highly successful Languages for Business and Technology (LBAT) in-country studies program to include Egypt and Korea means the program is now available to Georgia Tech students in all of those languages.

The School of Modern Language's LBAT is the nation's only in-country summer intensive business and technology language program. The existing program offered studies in China, Japan, and Russia, as well as France, Germany, Spain, and Mexico. School Chair Phil McKnight emphasized the careful decision-making process for locating the new LBAT countries, especially the Arabic program. "It is essential for Modern Languages to have programs available for students from all walks of life, regardless of gender or ethnicity, and in locations that are at least as safe as being a student at Georgia Tech."

Rajaa Aquil, Assistant Professor in Modern Languages, traveled to Egypt, Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, and to Saudi Arabia to explore possibilities with various university officials and foreign language facilities. In consultation with McKnight and Steve McLaughlin, Georgia Tech Vice Provost for International Initiatives, Aquil selected the Arab Academy in Cairo, Egypt, for Arabic-focused studies with significant time also spent in Alexandria. For Korean, Dr. Jayoung Choi followed a similar process, visiting numerous universities with whom Georgia Tech has relationships before settling on a liaison with Sogang University in the heart of Seoul, South Korea.

The 2010 expansion was made possible by a grant from the Institute of International Education. The three year $850,000 award also funded enhancements to the existing China and Russia programs. While the grant targets ROTC students by providing $5,000 study abroad scholarships, the programs are open to all third year language students at Georgia Tech.

LBAT involves nine to sixteen weeks of intensive summer study depending upon the country. Classroom lessons are taught by Modern Languages faculty and include business, culture, technology studies and field work, cultural events, excursions, and visits to area business and professional institutions. While in the host country, faculty can assist students in finding further study, internship, or work experiences. The faculty-led LBAT makes an excellent bridge to those experiences by easing the shock of a new culture.

Chet Sanders, a fourth year electrical engineering major who combined LBAT and work experience in Germany, said "It really opened up a lot of new doors that otherwise would have remained closed... U.S. companies don't trust that professionals who haven't lived in the culture will be successful there."