“I had heard about the trip from other colleagues across campus who had gone as group leaders,” said Stephanie Knight, interim director of the Office of Student Involvement. “Everyone had the same message, ‘It will be the hardest summer of your life, but also the most incredible.’”

Knight, who went on the trip in summer  2011, acknowledged that as a group leader, you have to be prepared to adapt to a variety of situations.

But, she also came away with lasting memories including one of an evening when Knight and her fellow leaders watched the sun set at the Eiffel Tower with a group of students.

“It was a very surreal moment,” she said. “It’s easy to get caught up in all of the logistics of the program, and that evening was a reminder of my motivation to apply for the trip in the first place.”  

From May 21 to June 25, leaders will accompany the students in the program to eight continental European cities over the course of 30 days, with their duties ranging from confirming museum reservations to liaising with the dean of students regarding student disciplinary issues.

Once the students arrive in Oxford, the group leaders’ duties will conclude.

Group leaders must have approval from their home departments in order to be paid while away from the Atlanta campus. Also, leaders must be available to attend a minimum of five training sessions and meetings during the spring semester.

The deadline to apply to be a group leader is Nov. 28. For more information, contact Emily Edens, the program coordinator, or click here.