Student Reflections
“This program really brings the EU to life! I learned more on this program than all of my previous time on the GT campus; the dialogue with policy makers, access to some of the most important institutions in global politics today make it a priceless experience!”—Alyssa N., International Affairs, Georgia Tech
“After the program ended, I was fortunate to receive an internship in Brussels with The German Marshall Fund and do research on some of the most challenging policy issues on the Transatlantic agenda. I also got to interact with some of the leading professionals in the field.”
—Sean J., Business Administration, Georgia Tech
"This program has proved to me that education must be a full sensory experience. To completely understand a political institution or position, it is necessary to see, hear, and experience that place…Now when I read the news or study European politics my mind goes to those places and I can truly say that I have knowledge.”—Cate P., International Affairs Graduate Student, Georgia Tech
“The EU study abroad trip encompassed some of the best times I've had at Tech so far!”—Katie G., Industrial Engineering, Georgia Tech
"If I had to say why Dr. Birchfield's Brussels/EU summer study abroad program is the best at Georgia Tech and why I personally loved it so much, here are my top 3 reasons:
1. You live with a host family! Which is something that almost no other study abroad at Tech does unless it's an exchange program. And we all know how awesome and fun host families can be! I played Fussball with my host brother almost every day, baked some deserts with my host mom, and ran a half marathon with my host dad - all whilst being immersed in Belgian culture and learning some French here and there!
2. You have the opportunity to meet and interact with an exceptional amount of important EU figures! Most study abroad programs still revolve around the classroom, but not this one. This one centers around site visits and meetings with the leaders of Europe, where you'll learn the bulk of your information first-hand. I don't think I've ever met so many high-profile people in a shorter amount a time. No other program even comes close.
3. You're travelling around Europe! Most programs are either located in one foreign city from where you can travel away in your own free time or they make mad-dashes throughout the region, spending one day in each city. But this program is a nice compromise, spending a month in Belgium with a host family and then comfortably adjusting to a different city for a week at a time. So, rather than speed-dating all of the tourist sites, it's actually enough time to become familiar with a place and make it a home, falling in love with Europe in a totally different way."
--Aaron Hoodin, International Affairs and Modern Languages, Georgia Tech
“After the program ended, I was fortunate to receive an internship in Brussels with The German Marshall Fund and do research on some of the most challenging policy issues on the Transatlantic agenda. I also got to interact with some of the leading professionals in the field.”
—Sean J., Business Administration, Georgia Tech
"This program has proved to me that education must be a full sensory experience. To completely understand a political institution or position, it is necessary to see, hear, and experience that place…Now when I read the news or study European politics my mind goes to those places and I can truly say that I have knowledge.”—Cate P., International Affairs Graduate Student, Georgia Tech
“The EU study abroad trip encompassed some of the best times I've had at Tech so far!”—Katie G., Industrial Engineering, Georgia Tech
"If I had to say why Dr. Birchfield's Brussels/EU summer study abroad program is the best at Georgia Tech and why I personally loved it so much, here are my top 3 reasons:
1. You live with a host family! Which is something that almost no other study abroad at Tech does unless it's an exchange program. And we all know how awesome and fun host families can be! I played Fussball with my host brother almost every day, baked some deserts with my host mom, and ran a half marathon with my host dad - all whilst being immersed in Belgian culture and learning some French here and there!
2. You have the opportunity to meet and interact with an exceptional amount of important EU figures! Most study abroad programs still revolve around the classroom, but not this one. This one centers around site visits and meetings with the leaders of Europe, where you'll learn the bulk of your information first-hand. I don't think I've ever met so many high-profile people in a shorter amount a time. No other program even comes close.
3. You're travelling around Europe! Most programs are either located in one foreign city from where you can travel away in your own free time or they make mad-dashes throughout the region, spending one day in each city. But this program is a nice compromise, spending a month in Belgium with a host family and then comfortably adjusting to a different city for a week at a time. So, rather than speed-dating all of the tourist sites, it's actually enough time to become familiar with a place and make it a home, falling in love with Europe in a totally different way."
--Aaron Hoodin, International Affairs and Modern Languages, Georgia Tech