On Dec. 2, first-year students studying at Georgia Tech-Europe showcased their semester-long learning during a culminating film festival in Metz. The festival marked the final project for the FYSA course Communication and Culture, led by Jennifer Orth-Veillon, faculty director of the program.

The course takes students on a chronological and immersive exploration of European history and society through guided visits to major historical sites. Over the first eight weeks, students engage in hands-on experiential learning focused on international travel. With faculty guidance, they plan trips, navigate public transportation, and adapt to unexpected challenges. Later in the semester, they apply these skills independently.

For many students, including Jayson Gonzalez, the program marked their first time traveling outside the United States. Gonzalez shared that the experience pushed him beyond stereotypes and initial uncertainty, helping him see the world with a broader perspective. Fellow student Tommy Vo explained that creating the film required direct engagement with local communities. Rather than relying solely on textbooks, he learned by listening to people and understanding culture from their point of view.

Both students described gaining confidence in living independently while abroad. Gonzalez reflected that sustaining and enriching himself in a new environment was both challenging and rewarding.

Orth-Veillon views the FYSA program as deeply transformative. She emphasized that students leave with stronger adaptive skills and a richer understanding of cultural complexity. Research from the Forum on Education Abroad supports this impact, with 90 percent of surveyed alumni reporting that studying abroad helped them build career skills such as adaptability and intercultural communication.

As the semester concludes, students expressed mixed emotions about leaving Metz. While eager to continue exploring the world, they acknowledged how significantly the experience shaped their academic and personal growth.

Recently celebrating 35 years of operation, Georgia Tech-Europe continues to expand global learning opportunities and is currently hosting its fifth FYSA cohort.