{"686700":{"#nid":"686700","#data":{"type":"news","title":"EU Study Abroad Program Evolves With Added Focus on Technology Governance, Space Policy","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech\u2019s 25-year-old European Union study abroad program has undergone its most significant evolution to date with a new focus on technology governance, an optional research add-on, and two new stops \u2014 Geneva and Bern, Switzerland.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhile the trip will remain a cornerstone experience for many interested in Europe and international affairs, the program now offers more opportunities for students, including STEM majors, to gain deep on-the-ground insight into international technology governance by directly engaging with the global bodies that regulate tech.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe program, which is accepting applications through Feb. 15, now also includes an optional research extension with two tracks \u2014 economic security and space policy.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cDespite the rapidly changing international system, the European Union remains the key trade and investment partner of the United States, an indispensable ally, and an essential area of study,\u201d said \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/iac.gatech.edu\/people\/person\/vicki-birchfield\u0022\u003EVicki Birchfield\u003C\/a\u003E, professor in the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/inta.gatech.edu\u0022\u003ESam Nunn School of International Affairs\u003C\/a\u003E and the program\u2019s director.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cblockquote\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EInterested in international affairs, the U.S.-Europe relationship, or international tech governance? Apply for the \u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/sites.gatech.edu\/gt-eu-summer\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EEuropean Union and Global Affairs Study Abroad Program\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E. The application deadline is Feb. 15!\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWith talented new faculty like Carly Potz-Nielsen and Thomas Gonz\u00e1lez Roberts, it is an opportune moment to evolve the program and incorporate a new focus on technology governance where their respective expertise can provide intellectual depth and dynamism,\u0022 said Birchfield, who also is co-director of the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/cets.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ECenter for European and Transatlantic Studies\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe program allows students to earn 12 credit hours in 10 weeks, with the possibility of earning up to three more credit hours through an optional research add-on.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA seminar course on the European Union (INTA 4230\/6320) and a class on Human Rights in Europe (INTA 3031\/6803) will return. However, to accommodate the new focus on tech governance, a European security course previously taught during the study abroad will be folded into the Transatlantic Relations course (INTA 3223\/6833).\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThat will free up space for a new technology governance class taught by \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/iac.gatech.edu\/people\/person\/1f6a6f21-01fa-5e42-88d2-83a7cd378f57\u0022\u003EPotz-Nielsen\u003C\/a\u003E and Roberts: Global Politics of Technology (INTA 3044\/8803).\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0022The added focus on technology governance taps into some of the biggest challenges future policymakers will face,\u201d said Potz-Nielsen. \u201cWith tech woven into almost every part of our lives and digital markets booming, understanding the roles that governments can \u2014 or should \u2014 play in regulating technology tackles fundamental questions about privacy, security, and fairness.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EStudents participating in the program will visit centers of European power, influence, and culture, including Metz, Strasbourg, and Paris in France; Brussels; The Hague and Amsterdam in the Netherlands; and Bucharest, Romania, where students will visit Romanian military headquarters, research firms, and cultural sites. The program also visits Munich and Berlin, as well as Geneva and Bern, Switzerland.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThose stops in Switzerland will be particularly interesting to students interested in technology and space policy, said \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/inta.gatech.edu\/people\/person\/thomasgr\u0022\u003ERoberts\u003C\/a\u003E, an assistant professor and director of the new \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/iac.gatech.edu\/featured-news\/2025\/10\/georgia-tech-engineering-space-policy-lab-debuts\u0022\u003EEngineering Space Policy Laboratory\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cSwitzerland plays a unique role in shaping how technology is governed worldwide, from outer space to the digital economy,\u201d he said. \u201cThis program is a chance to see that innovation and governance evolve together \u2014 and showcase how both liberal arts and STEM students have a vital place in shaping that future.\u0022\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EStudents may also extend their program with a two-week research option, choosing between a track on economic security and digital economies offered by Potz-Nielsen, as well as Roberts\u2019 track on space policy.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBoth tracks will guide students through a full-cycle research experience, utilizing semi-structured interviews, document analysis, and structured observation with partners throughout the 10-week itinerary to develop a final project.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EApplications for the program are due Feb. 15, with payment due on April 15.\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe European Union Study Abroad program is getting a refresh.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"The European Union Study Abroad program is getting a refresh."}],"uid":"34600","created_gmt":"2025-12-02 14:47:40","changed_gmt":"2025-12-02 14:59:13","author":"mpearson34","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-12-02T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2025-12-02T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"678739":{"id":"678739","type":"image","title":"EU-study-abroad-169.jpg","body":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech students participate in a recent EU study abroad event. The program has been recently refreshed to include a new emphasis on technology governance and space policy.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1764686884","gmt_created":"2025-12-02 14:48:04","changed":"1764687780","gmt_changed":"2025-12-02 15:03:00","alt":"Several students participating in the EU study abroad program listen to a presentation.","file":{"fid":"262811","name":"EU-study-abroad-169.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/12\/02\/EU-study-abroad-169.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/12\/02\/EU-study-abroad-169.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":303063,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/12\/02\/EU-study-abroad-169.jpg?itok=vIZjLVvn"}}},"media_ids":["678739"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/iac.gatech.edu\/academics\/undergraduate\/International-Experiences\/Study-Abroad","title":"Learn more about study abroad programs in the Ivan Allen College"}],"groups":[{"id":"1281","name":"Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts"},{"id":"1285","name":"Sam Nunn School of International Affairs"}],"categories":[],"keywords":[],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:michael.pearson@iac.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EMichael Pearson\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIvan Allen College of Liberal Arts\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["michael.pearson@iac.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}}}