This summer, Associate Dean for Graduate Studies and Faculty Affairs and Ivan Allen College Professor Carol Colatrella and 38 Georgia Tech students participated in the nine-week China Summer Program housed in three different Chinese cities: Tianjin, Shanghai, and Shenzhen. Tech alumnus Tong Zhao and study abroad coordinator Mary Alice Allen organized the program, and faculty from Georgia Tech, Stevens Institute of Technology, and Virginia Tech offered courses. 

What were your impressions of China? 

China is rapidly developing, but the country retains an interest in historical sites as well as in technological achievements. It was interesting to be in China during a time when the stock market was losing value as many people invest in stocks in order to get enough money to purchase homes, which are expensive.

What were the students’ impressions? 

The Tech students hailed from many countries including the United States, China, Panama, Venezuela, and Spain. They were most enthusiastic about their trips to see natural sites, but enjoyed being able to travel to cities in China as well. 

What did you teach in China? What did the students study? 

I taught Biomedicine and Culture, which included a study of medical ethics and Chinese medicine. Most of the students were engineering majors and took my course, a variety of engineering courses, and/or Sociology of Science.

View more photos from the 2015 China Study Program