Rebecca Bacon
Assistant Director, International Plan

In a November 2010 Public Opinion Survey on the importance of international education, nearly 75 percent of respondents believed that “America’s higher education institutions must do a better job of teaching students about the world if they are to be prepared to compete in the global economy.”

Georgia Tech is prepared to do just that. With 42 percent of our undergraduates having some type of international experience before they graduate, Georgia Tech students are far ahead of the game.

Each year, more international opportunities are added to Tech’s already expansive offerings of work and study abroad programs. With the inception of the International Plan in 2005, students have the opportunity to gain even more of a competitive advantage by integrating international and intercultural learning into their major.

Students of all majors can study and/or work abroad while at Georgia Tech. To find out more about these opportunities, we encourage students to attend the following events:

The Work Abroad Fair held on Tuesday, October 11, from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. in the Bill Moore Student Success Center, President’s Suite A, enables students to hear from several companies with internships and work abroad programs around the globe. Students will have an opportunity to speak to representatives from these companies as well as past interns to learn more about their programs and the benefits of working abroad. Visit www.workabroad.gatech.edu for more information.

The Study Abroad Fair on Thursday, October 13, from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. in the Student Center Ballroom, showcases the diverse study abroad opportunities available to students through Georgia Tech, Georgia Tech’s exchange partners, and other universities within the University System of Georgia. Representatives from more than 50 programs and companies will be available to answer your student’s questions about these exciting opportunities. Visit www.oie.gatech.edu/sa for more information.

Studying or working abroad isn’t just an incredible, life-changing experience for students. In an increasingly competitive market, it also provides a chance for them to distinguish themselves from their peers in interviews and graduate school applications. Georgia Tech offers more than 100 programs abroad whose destinations span across the globe, giving more than 1,200 students each year the opportunity to take advantage of study abroad or work abroad. Whether a student is looking to improve language skills, fulfill credits toward a major, or intern with an international employer, the Work Abroad Fair and the Study Abroad Fair are great places to explore the possibilities. We encourage all students to attend!

A call out to parents… we want to hear from parents of Tech students who have studied or worked abroad while at Tech. We would like to know why you think international education is important for your child and why you support their decision to go abroad. If interested in giving a testimonial, contact Rebecca Bacon at rebecca.bacon@oie.gatech.edu.