This year, Georgia Tech is commemorating three decades of providing global learning experiences for students. Initially founded as the Study Abroad Office in 1995, the Education Abroad team within the Office of International Education (OIE) has since supported more than 39,000 students in pursuing international experiences.
For the 2024-25 academic year, Georgia Tech sent 2,576 students abroad, marking a 9.5% increase from the previous year and setting an Institute record for student participation in international programs.
“Student success is at the heart of our mission, and this new enrollment record underscores the collaborative efforts of the Institute to promote global learning,” said Lorie Johns Páulez, director of Education Abroad.
Today, Georgia Tech runs more than 125 programs in more than 50 countries, which contribute to 47% of all Georgia Tech undergraduates having an international experience by the time they graduate. An array of programs supports global learning, including the First-Year Semester Abroad, Global Research and Internship programs, Faculty-Led Study Abroad programs, Georgia Tech-Europe, and exchange programs with international partner institutions.
“Global learning experiences prepare Georgia Tech students to adapt, communicate across cultures, and approach complex problems with resilience,” said Bernard Kippelen, vice provost of International Initiatives. “These experiences empower them to use technology in ways that advance the human condition and prepare them to be leaders.”
In November, Georgia Tech will celebrate these milestones with an event, 30 Years of Education Abroad: Building Tech’s Global Network One Yellow Jacket at a Time, where President Emeritus G. Wayne Clough will deliver a keynote address. Additionally, Tech students interested in studying, interning, or researching abroad are encouraged to attend the 30th annual Education Abroad Fair on Tuesday, Sept. 30, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Exhibition Hall.