{"50087":{"#nid":"50087","#data":{"type":"news","title":"ISyE Hosts*1st Int\u0027l Undergrad Dual Degree Program","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGlobalization of business has always been a key driver in the field of industrial engineering.  As technology advances, markets open up, and cultures homogenize, preparing students to work in a global marketplace has become an essential component to education.  As one of the many initiatives in this area, the Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISyE) at Georgia Tech now offers an undergraduate level dual-degree program in conjunction with Monterrey Tech (ITESM) in Mexico.  The dual degree program allows engineering students attending ITESM to transfer to ISyE at Georgia Tech during their third year.  After completing the IE degree requirements at Tech, students return to ITESM to complete the degree requirements there.  Upon completion of the program, students earn an engineering degree from ITESM and an IE degree from Georgia Tech.  \u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThe program with Monterrey Tech began fall semester 2007, and it is Georgia Tech\u0027s first undergraduate level, dual-degree program with an international university.  Currently, four students from ITESM are enrolled.  They include:  \u003Cstrong\u003EPatricio Bichara\u003C\/strong\u003E, \u003Cstrong\u003EAllam Garcia\u003C\/strong\u003E, \u003Cstrong\u003EAlejandro Leyva\u003C\/strong\u003E, and \u003Cstrong\u003EHector Morales\u003C\/strong\u003E.  Next year, six students plan on participating in the program.  Overall, the experience provides a tremendous opportunity for students to learn more than just the engineering course work.  It provides a background for unique employment opportunities and cultural experiences while integrating global competence into disciplinary curricula.\n\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EBelow, ITESM students Patricio Bichara, Allam Garcia, and Alejandro Leyva discuss why they chose to participate in this unique program as they share experiences and reflect on important lessons learned.  \n\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EQ:  What made you decide to enroll in the dual degree program and come to Georgia Tech (GT)?\u003C\/em\u003E\n\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlejandro:\u003C\/strong\u003E  I was fortunate to be the first generation of this new dual-degree program between ITESM and GT.  As soon as I heard I was a potential candidate for the program, I knew I wanted to participate.  My decision was basically based on GT\u0027s #1 ranking in Industrial Engineering.\n\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EPatricio:\u003C\/strong\u003E The truth is I\u0027ve wanted to come to GT since I graduated from high school.  I always wanted to go to college in the U.S., but my high school didn\u0027t really encourage students to apply to schools abroad.  So I entered ITESM, one of the best universities in Latin America, to study IE in an international program.  The international component requires us to study 33% of our courses in a second language and study abroad for a year.  After the first year, I still wanted to go to college in the U.S.  I took the SAT and TOEFL to transfer, but my mom thought that two years abroad was a lot, so in the end, we decided on a one year program.  \n\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EI looked at different options in the U.S., Australia, and Europe because I wanted to go to an excellent school with great professors in a big city.  Georgia Tech was the obvious answer.  \n\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAllam:\u003C\/strong\u003E I decided to enroll in the program because Georgia Tech is a very prestigious university, especially in the field of Industrial Engineering where it provides a top quality education.\n\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EQ: How is GT perceived in your community at home?\u003C\/em\u003E\n\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlejandro: \u003C\/strong\u003E As a university of high prestige, it is an honor for any student to study at Georgia Tech.  The reputation of its graduates speaks for itself.  I\u0027ve had the opportunity to meet people in Mexico that studied at GT and their experiences were incredible.  Every time I mention to people in my community that I study at GT, they know I\u0027m in the best IE school in the U.S.\n\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EPatricio: \u003C\/strong\u003E GT has always been a well-known university, especially among engineers.  Two of my uncles are alumni and I was familiar with its reputation, especially the IE school.  But when I started the application process, I was amazed at how many people know Georgia Tech.  In Monterrey, it is considered one of the greatest engineering schools.  \n\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAllam: \u003C\/strong\u003E GT is perceived as a school with a great reputation and one that is tough to get into.\n\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EQ:  Did you have any mentors at GT?  Or did you have any help for faculty and students at GT to help you get acclimated?\u003C\/em\u003E\n\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EPatricio: \u003C\/strong\u003E Part of what I\u0027ve found at GT is great people.  \u003Cstrong\u003EDr. Paul Griffin \u003C\/strong\u003Ehas been a fantastic mentor.  He has been working with the people of ITESM to design this program for a couple of years.  He has also helped a lot during the application process, and especially during our stay here.  \u003Cstrong\u003EPatti Parker \u003C\/strong\u003Eand \u003Cstrong\u003EValarie DuRant-Modeste \u003C\/strong\u003Ehave also been very nice, helping us transfer the ITESM credits and choose which classes to take in each of our three semesters here.\n\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EAlong the way, we\u0027ve also had great help from the faculty and students.  Our classmates have been really nice, especially during the first days when the professor wants you to look for a homework assignment on WebCT and you have no idea how to log in.  Outside of class, several students and friends, many of them from the Hispanic organizations, have helped us solve everyday issues that are a factor when you live away from home. \n\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAllam: \u003C\/strong\u003E There have been several people who have helped us throughout our time here at GT, among them are \u003Cstrong\u003EPatti Parker \u003C\/strong\u003Eand \u003Cstrong\u003EPaul Griffin\u003C\/strong\u003E.\n\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlejandro: \u003C\/strong\u003E Yes, I consider \u003Cstrong\u003EPaul Griffin \u003C\/strong\u003Eand \u003Cstrong\u003EPatti Parker\u003C\/strong\u003E, my academic advisors, as my mentors at GT.  They have looked out for me since I got here, supported me academically and socially.  They are really nice and have helped me through the process.\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EQ:  How does GT compare with ITESM?\u003C\/em\u003E\n\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlejandro:\u003C\/strong\u003E  Although academically they are similar, GT has something extra that better prepares its students for the professional world.  Also, the atmosphere at GT tries to encourage you to participate in more school activities.\n\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EPatricio:\u003C\/strong\u003E  Both are well-known universities, with great engineering and business programs, but the main difference is that GT dedicates more resources to research while ITESM is a bigger university (it has campuses all across Mexico with almost 90,000 students).  Academically, GT requires more personal commitment to study:  you need to read the book, maybe do a few homework assignments, take one or two midterms, and a final exam.  At ITESM, they put more pressure on you, and you learn by working a little harder:  they take daily class attendance, you have three midterms per class, weekly homework, usually one project per midterm, and a final exam.  In the end, at GT you study more.  At ITESM, you work more.\n\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAllam:\u003C\/strong\u003E  Both GT and ITESM are very demanding universities and I have greatly enjoyed being part of both of them.\n\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EQ:  What do you find most challenging here?\u003C\/em\u003E\n\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EPatricio:\u003C\/strong\u003E  We were the first class of this dual-degree program, and some details are still being fine-tuned.  We realized we needed to take more classes than expected, which wasn\u0027t really that bad.  At ITESM we take 7 classes per semester, but it means you have to find a way to divide your day in order to have enough time to go to class, study, do homework, help in different organizations, exercise, and go out and have fun.  It can seem easy, but if you\u0027re taking many classes, things can get out of hand and you start to lose your sleeping hours.\n\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAllam:\u003C\/strong\u003E What I find most challenging is the management of my time to avoid leaving things until the last minute.\n\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlejandro:\u003C\/strong\u003E  Well, because I had to take a lot of classes for the completion of the dual degree program and because the time is limited to one year, my semesters have been really loaded, especially this last one.  Allocating time to all the various school tasks has been really challenging.\n\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EQ:  What is the most remarkable experience you had so far since you have been here?\u003C\/em\u003E\n\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlejandro:\u003C\/strong\u003E Being able to meet exceptional students that share the same objectives that I have and, of course, Senior Design.  Even though I\u0027m still at an interim phase, I\u0027ve learned a lot already.  It has given me an opportunity to put in practice everything I\u0027ve learned throughout my career.\n\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EPatricio:\u003C\/strong\u003E  My most remarkable experience has definitely been the football games.  One of the things I\u0027ve been most anticipating is fall semester because of football season, and that first game against Samford was a day I\u0027ll never forget.  Seeing all the people, wearing white and gold, cheering the yellow jackets, singing with the band, it\u0027s a wonderful feeling.  I really think that is something ITESM is missing.  Sadly in Monterrey, you don\u0027t see that many people wearing ITESM clothes, and although we\u0027re the national football champions, the students don\u0027t go to the games very much.  \n\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAllam:\u003C\/strong\u003E I don\u0027t think I could pin it down to just one remarkable experience.  My whole time here has been filled with interesting events that have helped me improve, not only as a student, but as an individual as well.\n\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EQ:  What advice would you give to another ITESM student who is interested in coming here for a dual degree program that would help to make their experience more successful?\u003C\/em\u003E\n\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EPatricio:\u003C\/strong\u003E  First, I would advise them which classes to take at ITESM so they can get credit at GT (which we have already done with the second class coming this spring).  Then I would tell them to try to get involved in all that Tech has to offer (the student organizations, the CRC, Career Service, etc.).  I would also tell them to plan the classes they\u0027re going to take throughout the 3 semesters so they are able to take advanced classes in their favorite track (Logistics, Manufacturing, EDA, etc.).  Lastly, I would advise them to attend class because it\u0027s a very important factor in order to get good grades.  \n\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAllam:\u003C\/strong\u003E  It\u0027s very easy to procrastinate, but if you avoid doing it as much as possible and go to class, you\u0027ll be successful in your studies.  Also, get involved in student groups.  There are a lot of interesting people you can meet in these groups.\n\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlejandro:\u003C\/strong\u003E  Absolutely plan their academic load and anticipate the classes they will be taking in order to save a lot of stress and time.  I\u0027ve had a hard time managing my schedule as I\u0027ve had to take some classes I could have taken in Mexico before coming to GT.\n\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EQ:  What are your plans after graduation?  Do you plan to work in Mexico, United States or somewhere else?\u003C\/em\u003E\n\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EPatricio:\u003C\/strong\u003E  I would love to work in something related to financial engineering or logistics.  I\u0027ll probably work for a consulting firm in the U.S. to get more experience, and perhaps try to get a master\u0027s in IE at GT.  After a few more years, I\u0027d like to go back to school to get either an MBA or a PhD.  After I finish grad school, I would like to go back to Mexico to work in the government or for an NGO.  It would be selfish to have all this great education and opportunity and not use it to make Mexico a little better than how I found it 21 years ago.  After all, we are all here to try to make a difference in the world.  \n\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAllam:\u003C\/strong\u003E  This is a decision I have not made yet.  My home country is Nicaragua and at the moment, I am considering working in any one of these three countries.\n\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlejandro:\u003C\/strong\u003E  Well, I don\u0027t have any expectations about where I will work, but I can assure you that the work I will be doing is what I\u0027ve studied to do.\n\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EQ:  When you look for a career, how important is the idea of globalization in your search?\u003C\/em\u003E\n\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EPatricio:\u003C\/strong\u003E  Once a professor said to me that you need to prepare as well as you can.  In today\u0027s world, we\u0027re not just competing with students from Mexico or the U.S., we are competing with students from all over the world.  That is very apparent at GT, and the same goes for companies, nations, etc.  Basically, the more we are able to experience different cultures, the better prepared we are going to be.  Globalization also brings opportunity to study and work anywhere in the world, applying your knowledge and competencies to different organizations around the globe.  \n\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAllam:\u003C\/strong\u003E  Given the future that I could potentially be working in different countries, I consider it of great importance to have a career that allows me to apply my skills to different regions, countries, and cultures.\n\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlejandro: \u003C\/strong\u003E These days, globalization has grown in such a way that it\u0027s almost impossible not to consider it when choosing a career.  I believe that it\u0027s important to choose something you enjoy doing and definitely something that can be applied across frontiers.\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":null,"format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"As one of the many initiatives in this area, the Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISyE) at Georgia Tech now offers an undergraduate level dual-degree program in conjunction with Monterrey Tech (ITESM) in Mexico.  The dual degree program allows engineering students attending ITESM to transfer to ISyE at Georgia Tech during their third year.  After completing the IE degree requirements at Tech, students return to ITESM to complete the degree requirements there.  Upon completion of the program, students earn an engineering degree from ITESM and an IE degree from Georgia Tech.","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"ISyE Hosts*1st Int\u0027l Undergrad Dual Degree Program"}],"uid":"27216","created_gmt":"2007-11-06 01:00:00","changed_gmt":"2016-10-08 03:03:49","author":"Ruth Gregory","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2007-11-06T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2007-11-06T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"50088":{"id":"50088","type":"image","title":"tsc86783.jpg","body":null,"created":"1449175348","gmt_created":"2015-12-03 20:42:28","changed":"1475894445","gmt_changed":"2016-10-08 02:40:45","alt":"","file":{"fid":"126862","name":"tsc86783.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/tsc86783_0.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/tsc86783_0.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":49402,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/tsc86783_0.jpg?itok=GiEWJb5_"}},"50089":{"id":"50089","type":"image","title":"tig86783.jpg","body":null,"created":"1449175348","gmt_created":"2015-12-03 20:42:28","changed":"1475894445","gmt_changed":"2016-10-08 02:40:45","alt":"","file":{"fid":"126860","name":"tig86783.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/tig86783_0.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/tig86783_0.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":55934,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/tig86783_0.jpg?itok=AFGGU4vS"}},"50090":{"id":"50090","type":"image","title":"Dual Degree Program Advisors","body":null,"created":"1449175348","gmt_created":"2015-12-03 20:42:28","changed":"1475894445","gmt_changed":"2016-10-08 02:40:45","alt":"Dual Degree Program Advisors","file":{"fid":"126861","name":"tok83360.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/tok83360_0.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/tok83360_0.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":33493,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/tok83360_0.jpg?itok=Xl-byc6u"}}},"media_ids":["50088","50089","50090"],"groups":[{"id":"1242","name":"School of Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISYE)"}],"categories":[{"id":"129","name":"Institute and Campus"},{"id":"134","name":"Student and Faculty"}],"keywords":[{"id":"5647","name":"Dual Degree"},{"id":"426","name":"isye"},{"id":"8022","name":"ITESM"},{"id":"167205","name":"Stewart School"}],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cstrong\u003EBarbara Christopher\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EIndustrial and Systems Engineering\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.gatech.edu\/contact\/index.html?id=bt3\u0022\u003EContact Barbara Christopher\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E404.385.3102\u003C\/strong\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["bchristopher@isye.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}}}