It’s official! According to the 2014-15 Office of International Education data, 52 percent of Georgia Tech B.S. graduates had an international experience! Georgia Tech has long been a leader in providing opportunities for students to experience other cultures, develop critical global competencies, and understand the global implications of their disciplines. The Office of International Education (OIE) spearheads Georgia Tech’s internationalization efforts. OIE is comprised of several work groups, including Education Abroad, the International Plan, the Global Internship Program, and International Student and Scholar Services, that offer opportunities for your student to add an international perspective to their education.

Georgia Tech Study Abroad Programs span every continent and academic discipline. When your student starts thinking about studying abroad, it’s essential to know that OIE offers two main paths: exchanges abroad and faculty-led study abroad. Students can study on Tech programs after spending two consecutive semesters at the Atlanta campus and are over the age of eighteen. Financial aid can be used for programs (i.e.: scholarships, grants, and loans) and students pay the in-state tuition rate plus a $250 fee for non-resident students (please note that Georgia Tech-Lorraine charges in-state tuition plus a $3,500 fee). OIE also administers scholarships (e.g.: the George Scholarship) and there are national study abroad scholarships available as well. Contrary to popular thought, study abroad does not typically delay graduation, because credits earned on Tech study abroad programs count towards graduation requirements. Students are encouraged to talk to an OIE advisor about studying abroad by making an appointment or stopping by the Study Abroad Fair on Thursday, October 1, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. in the Student Center Ballroom. Students are also welcome to explore the different study abroad options by visiting: http://oie.gatech.edu/study-abroad.

The International Plan, Georgia Tech’s global degree designator, requires a set of internationally-focused requirements that students work towards their entire undergraduate careers at Tech. As such, it is important for students to begin completing some of the requirements in their first two years. While many associate the 26 weeks abroad requirement with the International Plan, there is also a set of courses that must be taken. Since many students won’t go abroad until their second or third years, the best requirements to work on during their first year are language courses and the globally-focused courses. For students starting a new language at Tech, or those who have tested out of the first level but still need 2001 and 2002, the first year is a great time to either begin or complete the language requirement for the IP. This will set students up for success in their international programs later on. We also encourage students to take at least one, if not two, of their globally-focused courses as well. This could be an International Relations course that also meets their ethics requirement, or a Global Economics course that also counts towards their social science requirement. By getting some of these required courses out of the way while schedules are still a little flexible and before major coursework begins in full, IP students will be well situated to successfully complete all of the IP requirements by graduation. We also encourage students to begin planning out their international experiences in their first year even if they do not plan to go until much later so that they are fully aware of all their options and the specific program requirements. All IP students are encouraged to meet with the IP Advisor, Colette Fournier, and their academic advisors as they work to complete their International Plan.

The Global Internship Program would like to welcome students to learn more about opportunities to intern abroad during their time at Georgia Tech. Students may intern abroad for 10-52 weeks with companies and institutes around the world. Typically, students find global internships during their last two years at Georgia Tech, after having already gained domestic internship experience, as well as studying abroad. We encourage students to attend our “How to Find a Global Internship” information session, held on September 22 at 11 a.m. in the Bill Moore Student Success Center. Juniors and seniors are encouraged to apply for spring and summer internships with Safran (France) by September 20 and BMW (Germany) by September 18. Please contact globalinternships@oie.gatech.edu with any questions.