{"690192":{"#nid":"690192","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Rwanda Study Abroad Program Empowers Georgia Tech Students Through Experiential, Interdisciplinary Learning","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech students gain a deeper understanding of sustainable development through the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/sites.gatech.edu\/rwanda-study-abroad\/\u0022\u003ERwanda Study Abroad\u003C\/a\u003E program. The embedded course program merges classroom concepts with real-world challenges. The majority of the class takes place in Atlanta, and students travel to Rwanda over spring break for experiential learning.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.isye.gatech.edu\/users\/valerie-thomas\u0022\u003EValerie Thomas\u003C\/a\u003E, Anderson-Interface Chair of Natural Systems and Professor at the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.isye.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EH. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E (ISyE), launched the program in 2020 to educate future leaders through research collaboration and global, context-rich experiences.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThrough partnerships with the University of Rwanda and local institutions, Georgia Tech students learn directly from Rwandan faculty, students, and professionals working in sustainability.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cDirect engagement brings Georgia Tech students face-to-face with high levels of expertise and professionalism in Rwanda, and by extension in other countries,\u201d says Thomas. \u201cThis program provides our students with greater understanding of how Rwanda is working on sustainability challenges. It also requires our students to up their game, participate at a high level, and adjust in real time.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOver the years, Rwanda Study Abroad has evolved into a cross-campus initiative involving the Schools of Industrial \u0026amp; Systems Engineering, City and Regional Planning, and Modern Languages, as well as the Scheller College of Business.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn past years, the study abroad program primarily served undergraduate students. However, this year, the program has expanded with the addition of a concurrent graduate opportunity: the MBA International Practicum at Scheller College, which is a section of the Spring 2026 Sustainable Business Consulting Practicum, co-taught by Professor of the Practice \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.scheller.gatech.edu\/directory\/faculty\/oxman\/index.html\u0022\u003EMichael Oxman\u003C\/a\u003E and Lecturer \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.scheller.gatech.edu\/directory\/faculty\/lax\/index.html\u0022\u003EBob Lax\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOxman\u2019s collaboration with Thomas on a National Science Foundation planning grant led to him co-leading a trip to Rwanda in 2025. On that trip, he met with clients and identified projects for the Spring 2026 practicum. He said, \u201cRwanda was a compelling new destination for MBA students in the International Practicum and I was pleasantly surprised by the interest of the 26 MBA students who participated.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe interdisciplinary structure of the program allows students to examine sustainability, energy, development, and planning challenges from multiple perspectives.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cI enjoyed the presentations and meetings with the students at the University of Rwanda and the Rwanda Mining Board,\u201d \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/franklin-heath-58834b24b\/\u0022\u003EFranklin Heath\u003C\/a\u003E, a fourth-year ISyE major. \u201cIt was interesting to talk with the students, see what projects they were working on, and learn about their classes. I realized that our lives are more similar than I had imagined. Also, the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.rmb.gov.rw\/\u0022\u003ERwanda Mines, Petroleum, and Gas Board\u003C\/a\u003E (RMB) provided lots of insight into the mining industry and its logistics that I otherwise would not have thought about.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/divyacherukupalli\/\u0022\u003EDivya Cherukupalli\u003C\/a\u003E, an Evening MBA student, wrote, \u201cI chose to participate in the practicum because I wanted the opportunity to experience a different culture and understand how other countries approach sustainability compared to the United States. Being able to see these perspectives firsthand made the experience especially meaningful. The International Practicum was a truly transformative experience for me.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech students move beyond observation and into deeper engagement through structured opportunities with Rwandan students, government officials, entrepreneurs, and members of local communities working toward similar goals. These interactions provide unique context and can shape how students understand challenges when they return to campus.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cI have seen students grow significantly \u2013 especially in their confidence. Their excitement about learning seems supercharged as well. I think all the students on this recent trip felt a deep bond amongst themselves and with the instructors,\u201d reflected \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/planning.gatech.edu\/people\/tony-giarrusso\u0022\u003ETony Giarusso\u003C\/a\u003E, professor of the practice in the School of City \u0026amp; Regional Planning and co-lead for the program. \u201cMany of the student projects are set before we arrive in Rwanda, but our engagement with government officials and industry help fine tune student ideas while also providing them with field observation data and connections for data resources.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOxman agreed with Giarusso regarding the fruitful relationships in Rwanda. In the practicum, Oxman and Lax led students through a structured, hypothesis-driven approach to problem solving, and the students successfully leveraged that approach to add value to their clients\u2019 objectives. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/smayah-uwajeneza-590bb2131\/\u0022\u003ESmayah Uwajeneza\u003C\/a\u003E, a professional from Elevate Through Coffee, a client, wrote: \u201cWe\u2019re proud to collaborate with the students in shaping a more sustainable and inclusive future, where knowledge exchange and partnership create real impact beyond borders.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOther clients offered unsolicited testimonials (see \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.reg.rw\/media-center\/news-details\/news\/bridging-academia-and-industry-reg-welcomes-georgia-tech-delegation\/\u0022\u003ERwanda Energy Group\u003C\/a\u003E, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.rmb.gov.rw\/updates\/news-detail\/rmb-hosted-mba-students-from-georgia-techs-scheller-college-of-business\u0022\u003ERMB\u003C\/a\u003E, and \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/100056898837014\/posts\/1518562523383694\/?mibextid=wwXIfr\u0026amp;rdid=m18EHH0ZAnzr7fzC\u0022\u003ERwanda Polytechnic\u003C\/a\u003E). These comments demonstrate the importance of sustainability not only for the good of society also for business value. Specifically, clients noted that the students\u2019 work strengthens entrepreneurship, accelerates innovation, and delivers solutions that respond to the needs of society. They said the work also created actionable pathways for improving sector governance, increasing resource efficiency, enhancing economic returns, and turning research ideas into industry-ready solutions.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIt was important to program leaders that students receive cultural insight and understand cultural continuity. While working with groups such as ESRI Rwanda, students and Georgia Tech as a global community build long-lasting relationships with local partners, helping participants develop a true understanding of life and the work being done in Rwanda.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELanguage and culture play a critical role in this process. Organizers emphasize the importance of linguistic knowledge and cultural awareness in accessing research, communicating effectively, and making informed decisions in international contexts.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cLanguage expertise greatly facilitates work on the ground and gives students access to significant research written in other languages than English,\u201d said \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/iac.gatech.edu\/people\/person\/christophe-ippolito\u0022\u003EChristophe Ippolito\u003C\/a\u003E, professor of French in the School of Modern Languages, who embedded the trip to Rwanda in the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/vip.gatech.edu\/teams-all-loaded-at-once-test\/entry\/1237\/\u0022\u003EAfrica: Serve, Learn, Sustain\u003C\/a\u003E VIP. The course provides an opportunity for undergraduates from across Georgia Tech to engage in sustainable development research in the African context. He remarked, \u201cI have been on the ground, having worked in Africa and visited 30+ countries there. So, for instance, I could tell students which kind of machine would work better for irrigation in some regions.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOrganizers agree that the program has led to students gaining a significant growth in confidence and teamwork skills, often producing strong bonds within the cohort, reinforcing collaboration and engagement, beyond the study abroad experience.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOxman reflected, \u201cFrom my career, having been a consultant on sustainable business in emerging markets, I know that the only way to truly drive business and sustainability is through local immersion and understanding. I\u2019m so grateful to be able to facilitate this kind of experiential learning opportunity for our Georgia Tech students.\u201d Oxman said he\u2019s excited to be planning another international practicum in Rwanda in Spring 2027.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELooking ahead, Thomas said she expects the program to continue expanding with additional pathways for undergraduate and graduate students, deeper collaboration with Rwandan institutions and other partners, and project formats that further integrate research, teaching, and global engagement.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cA hallmark of the program will be immersion and reciprocity,\u201d said Thomas, who envisions the program expanding to Rwandan colleagues visiting Georgia Tech and an urban planning studio in Rwanda. \u201cWe have faculty across the Institute with the talent, knowledge, and capability to support students in study abroad in Rwanda. Drawing on the existing talent and expertise across the Institute is making the Rwanda program robust and multi-faceted.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech students gain a deeper understanding of sustainable development through the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/sites.gatech.edu\/rwanda-study-abroad\/\u0022\u003ERwanda Study Abroad \u003C\/a\u003Eprogram. The embedded course program merges classroom concepts with real-world challenges.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Georgia Tech students gain a deeper understanding of sustainable development through the Rwanda Study Abroad program."}],"uid":"36760","created_gmt":"2026-05-07 13:06:07","changed_gmt":"2026-05-07 16:21:47","author":"jsmith830","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-05-07T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-05-07T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"680217":{"id":"680217","type":"image","title":"Georgia Tech students participating in the Rwanda Study Abroad program","body":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech students gain a deeper understanding of sustainable development through the Rwanda Study Abroad program\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1778170585","gmt_created":"2026-05-07 16:16:25","changed":"1778170585","gmt_changed":"2026-05-07 16:16:25","alt":"Georgia Tech students participating in the Rwanda Study Abroad program","file":{"fid":"264460","name":"IMG_0276.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/05\/07\/IMG_0276_2.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/05\/07\/IMG_0276_2.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":150592,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/05\/07\/IMG_0276_2.jpg?itok=FPImlSWT"}}},"media_ids":["680217"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.scheller.gatech.edu\/news\/2026\/scheller-abroad-georgia-tech-mbas.html","title":"#SchellerAbroad: Georgia Tech MBAs Travel to Belgium, Japan, and Rwanda"}],"groups":[{"id":"1242","name":"School of Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISYE)"}],"categories":[],"keywords":[],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}}}