Nov 8, 2021
During International Education Week, the College of Sciences celebrates the impact of international perspectives, connection, and contributions in our community. We’ve gathered stories over the years celebrating the work of math, science, and technology within our international community. From international students enrolled at Georgia Tech, to professors with unique cultural perspectives, to partnerships with our global community, this month we shine a special spotlight on the importance of international education and research.
What is International Education Week?
International Education Week, celebrated at Tech November 15 to 19 this year, is an opportunity to celebrate the benefits of international education and exchange worldwide. This joint initiative of the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education is part of the efforts to promote programs that prepare Americans for a global environment and attract future leaders from abroad to study, learn, and exchange experiences.
The worldwide celebration of IEW offers a unique opportunity to reach out to people in every nation, to develop a broader understanding of world cultures and languages, and to reiterate the conviction that enduring friendships and partnerships created through international education and exchange are important for a secure future for all countries.
Faculty and Staff Perspectives
Hispanic and Latinx Heritage: President Ángel Cabrera
During National Hispanic Heritage Month, President Ángel Cabrera reflected on his time as a student in the College of Sciences at Georgia Tech, and spoke to recruiting and supporting more Hispanic and Latinx students and faculty in STEM.
Hispanic and Latinx Heritage Month: Faculty Perspectives
“I want to make sure that other people like me can see themselves…as scientists.” Frances Rivera-Hernández, Facundo Fernández and Carlos Silva Acuña share early school day stories, why they chose science, and their perspectives on representation.
Joshua Weitz Named Blaise Pascal International Chair of Excellence
Joshua Weitz, School of Biological Sciences professor, Tom and Marie Patton Chair, and key member of Georgia Tech’s Covid-19 response team continues his research on viruses through fall of 2021, and is now conducting those studies from Paris, France, thanks to receiving a prestigious award designed to foster more collaboration among international scientists. Weitz is currently based at the Institute of Biology at the École Normale Supérieure (IBENS) in Paris.
Tansu Celikel Appointed School of Psychology Chair
Newly appointed chair of the School of Psychology Tansu Celikel brings a unique international perspective from Europe to Georgia Tech. Celikel received his Ph.D. in Cognitive Neuroscience at La Scuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati (SISSA) in Italy and conducted postdoctoral research the Max-Planck Institute for Medical Research in Germany. He also conceived and led the establishment of the European University of Brain and Technology (NeurotechEU), funded by the European Union.
School of Mathematics Celebrates Two Researchers Receiving “Very High Prestige” Invitations to Lecture at Major Global Math Conference
Jennifer Hom, Konstantin Tikhomirov will present on topology, discrete probability at the 2022 International Congress of Mathematicians in Russia. “The ICM speaker invitations are a major news item in the mathematics community every four years. The invitations carry very high prestige, selected with extreme diligence to highlight leading breakthroughs across all of mathematics,” explains Rachel Kuske, Professor and Chair of the School of Mathematics.
Chung Kim: Inclusivity, Kindness, Celebrating Heritage and Culture
Academic Program Coordinator Chung Kim speaks on representation and racial justice, her experiences growing up Korean-American, and Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month. She also discusses the College of Sciences Staff Advisory Council, of which she is an inaugural member.
Bernard F. Schutz Elected as Fellow of the Royal Society
Bernard Schutz, School of Physics adjunct professor, served as a founding director of the Max Planck Institute for Gravitational Physics (Albert Einstein Institute - AEI) in Germany, helped spark the creation of the Center for Relativistic Astrophysics (CRA) at Georgia Tech, and laid the analytical foundation in the search for gravitational waves. He is now the recipient of top honors as a Fellow to the Royal Society, the United Kingdom’s national academy of sciences and the world's oldest independent scientific academy.
Bernard F. Schutz Elected as Fellow of the Royal Society | News Center (gatech.edu)
Global Research & Impact
New 'Vibrant Pack Energy Harvesters' to Harness Big Bridge Vibrations
In collaboration with colleagues at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh and Georgia State University, Georgia Tech researchers including School of Mathematics chair Rachel Kuske have intended to capture and recycle vibrations on bridges using principles of physics. They have received funding from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, part of UK Research and Innovation, and the National Science Foundation.
Global Climate Action Symposium
With swaths of the country engulfed in flames, battered by winds, steeped in floodwaters, or parched by drought – tragic and costly conditions that a recent United Nations report links to global warming – Georgia Tech joined UN leaders in hosting the third annual Global Climate Action Symposium in September of this year.
Finding and Connecting Ocean Ecoregions — to Find and Conserve Marine Species
A study by School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences researchers is charting a new path to help scientists create tools to uncover global marine connectivity through sea surface temperature. The study is led by professor Annalisa Bracco, graduate student Fabrizio Falasca, and one of Bracco’s visiting students, Ljuba Novi from the Institute of Geosciences and Earth Resources (part of the National Research Council in Pisa, Italy).
Creative Cutting-Edge Coral Scientist
In alumna Kristen Marhaver’s research lab at CARMABI (Caribbean Research and Management of Biodiversity) on the island of Curaçao, Marhaver and her team have made great strides in aiding coral survival by inventing methods for coral breeding, baby coral propagation, and coral gene banking. Marhaver now sponsors a first-year biology researcher each year at Tech through the FastTrack Research Program.
Georgia Tech Alumni Association - Creative Cutting-Edge Coral Scientist (gtalumni.org)
Student Stories
Where Linguistics, French, and Psychology Intersect: Zach Hopton Discusses Collaborative Time at Tech
Psychology and Applied Languages and Intercultural Studies student Zachary Hopton discusses the balance between experimental psychology and language, and the relationship that the two disciplines have with each other. He shares his experiences in the French Language, Business, and Technology Program and during an exchange semester at Sciences Po in Paris, France.
Celebrating #GT21 Graduate Stories: Maria Zulfiqar
“I am the first person in my family’s history to obtain a college degree in the United States, the first woman to ever obtain a college degree at all in my family — and I’m doing it two years early, with highest honors,” shares Maria Zulfiqar. Zulfiqar, who is Pakistani, grew up in Alpharetta, Georgia, and was born in Mississauga, Canada.
Georgia Tech Language Institute: Meet Taehwan Yang
After completing a bachelor’s degree in biotechnology and bioscience in South Korea, Taehwan Yang decided to pursue a master’s degree in biology in the United States with support from the Georgia Tech Language Institute. The Language Institute helps international students, professionals and visitors improve their English proficiency through short courses, summer classes, and semester-long programs.
International Education Week Events
This year, IEW will take place from November 15-19. If your organization is interested in participating in International Education Week, there's still time to fill out the following form with a proposal for your event: https://gatech.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8CkFDGTubkx5VBk.
Monday, November 15:
Georgia Tech-Lorraine Table at IEW Kick-Off!
Location: Outside of Clough
Time: 10:30 to 11:30 am
Description: Stop by the Georgia Tech-Lorraine table at the IEW Kick-Off Event on November 15th from 10:30-11:30am outside of Clough. GTL representatives will be present to answer all your questions and give you details about a semester on Tech's campus in France for undergraduates and graduates!
French program tabling at IEW Kick-off
Location: Outside of Clough
Time: 10:30 to 11:30 am
Description: Information about French and Francophone Studies at Georgia Tech, including study abroad summer 2021 LBAT Paris and Senegal, and SLS GT Lorraine semester-long immersion program in Metz, fall 2022.
English Conversation Hour
Location: Clough 447
Time: 5 to 6 pm
Description: Learning English? Come practice your spoken English skills in a friendly, informal setting with the staff of the Naugle Communication Center!
Tuesday, November 16:
How to Afford Study Abroad
Location: Exhibition Hall: Buckhead Room
Time: 11 am to 12 pm
Description: Study abroad doesn't have to break the bank. Come to the "How to Afford Study Abroad" information session to learn more.
Salud in Spain Summer Program Informational Session
Location: virtual/bluejeans - https://bluejeans.com/556633472/1660
Time: 11 am to 12 pm
Description: If you are interested in participating in the Salud in Spain Program in Summer 2022, please attend this information session.
ISYE Summer Program in Europe Information Session
Location: virtual/bluejeans - https://bluejeans.com/616106986/8966
Time: 11 am to 12 pm
Description: Learn more about the ISYE Summer Program in Europe! This 10-week summer program offers Georgia Tech ISYE students the opportunity to take standard undergraduate industrial engineering courses in Ireland and Spain during the Summer 2022 semester.
French and Francophone Studies Research Round Table
Location: Swann 115
Time: 11 am to 12 pm
Description: French and Francophone Studies Round Table and Q&A with Faculty. Moderated by Andrea Jonsson.
Leadership for Social Good Virtual Info Session
Location: virtual/bluejeans - https://bluejeans.com/676192608/7312
Time: 11 to 11:30 am
Description: Come join this alumni-led information session to hear more about the Leadership for Social Good Study Abroad Program. The Leadership for Social Good Study Abroad Program in Central and Eastern Europe offers interested students the opportunity to gain insight into global civil society, to learn about the challenges of creating and leading effective and sustainable social enterprises, and to make a positive impact by working closely with a non-profit organization in Budapest, Hungary.
Japan Day
Location: Swann Building Backyard
Time: 11 am to 2 pm
Description: Please join us, "Japan Day"! Learn about the Japanese program at Tech! Meet Furoshiki master and Kendama master and have fun with Anime trivia contest and more! Japanese sweet and bakery will be served.
Note: If it rains on the 16th, this event will be move to Nov. 18th
Virtual Info Session on the Study Abroad & Immersion Programs in France and Senegal
Location: virtual/bluejeans - https://bluejeans.com/441452800/9256
Time: 12 to 1 pm
Description: Learn more about the School of Modern Languages' LBAT (Language for Business & Technology) France (Paris) and LBAT Senegal (Dakar) study abroad summer programs, and the SLS (Serve-Learn-Sustain) fall semester program at Georgia Tech Lorraine (Metz,France).
Georgia Tech-Lorraine Undergraduate Info Session
Location: virtual/bluejeans - https://primetime.bluejeans.com/a2m/live-event/gjfwagkq
Time: 1 to 2 pm
Description: Can't make it to a weekly GTL Info Session held on Thursdays from 11am-12pm? No worries! Tune in to this special IEW GTL Info Session held on Tuesday, November 16th from 1-2pm for details about studying at Tech's campus in France!
ISYE Summer Program in Asia Information Session
Location: virtual/bluejeans - https://bluejeans.com/734576054/3476
Time: 2 to 3 pm
Description: Learn more about the ISYE Summer Program in Asia! This 12-week summer program offers Georgia Tech ISYE students the opportunity to take standard undergraduate industrial engineering courses while exploring some of the most important locations for logistics and manufacturing in the 21st century: China and Singapore.
Wednesday, November 17:
Passport to GT
Location: virtual/bluejeans - RSVP at https://gatech.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_7QxiuEsHQtiuqnc
Time: 9:30 to 11:30 am
Description: Join OIE ISSS Staff to learn more about the international student experience of coming to Georgia Tech, as well as the various services ISSS offers. Registration is required. Limit of 30 attendees. *This event if for faculty/staff only*
Graduate Studies at Georgia Tech-Lorraine: Virtual Info Session
Location: virtual/bluejeans - https://primetime.bluejeans.com/a2m/live-event/uwfqpxtj
Time: 10:00 to 11:00 am
Description: Join Georgia Tech-Lorraine's virtual Grad Student info session to learn how easy it is to spend a semester on Tech's European campus in Metz, France at up to half the cost of the Atlanta campus!
LBAT Ecuador Information Session
Location: Skiles 170
Time: 12:30 to 1:30 pm
Description: Information session about Study Abroad Program in Ecuador (Cuenca and Galapagos Islands) for summer 2022. https://modlangs.gatech.edu/lbat/ecuador-galapagos
Thursday, November 18
International Fellowships
Location: virtual/bluejeans - https://bluejeans.com/2610797883/
Time: 11 am to 12 pm
Description: Attend this informational webinar to learn about Prestigious Fellowships offering International Placements!!
Photo Contest Reception
Location: Price Gilbert - G116 Wilby (by Blue Donkey)
Time: 2 to 3 pm
Description: Join the Office of International Education as we celebrate the winners of the annual Photo Contest!
Boren Information Session
Location: Savant #308
Time: 3:30 to 4:30 pm
Description: Want to learn more about getting $23,000 to study language abroad? Join us at the Boren Information Session to learn more about this exciting
Q&A with Sabine Landolt & Agathe Laurent, co-authors of Can We Agree to Disagree
Location: virtual/bluejeans - https://bluejeans.com/655772209/7771
Time: 5:00 to 6:00 pm
Description: Join us for a Q& A with Sabine Landolt, the co-authors of Can We Agree to Disagree, a compelling collection of anecdotes about French and American professionals on their experiences working together. This book reveals the risks of misjudgments. It provides tips and tricks to foster mutual understanding, sparks curiosity, and encourages professionals to adopt the best methods from both cultures, and to better work together. Meeting URL
Friday, November 19
Pacific Program Information Session
Location: virtual/bluejeans - https://bluejeans.com/655185001/1185
Time: 11 am to 12 pm
Description: Are you interested in participating in study abroad program during the Summer? If you are, make sure you mark your calendar and come to one of the Pacific program's information sessions. The Pacific program is GT faculty-led program that usually happens during the Spring semester; however, it has recently been shifted to the Summer semester for 2022 only. The Pacific program travels to New Zealand and Australia for 11 weeks! In this information session you will learn valuable information about the program including what classes the program is offering, specific program dates, program itinerary, and much more. Please note that the program's application is nor open. If you can't attend the session, but you would like more information, reach out to Andrea Henriquez (andrea.henriquez@oie.gatech.edu) to make an online advising appointment.
Budgeting for International Experiences
Location: Savant #308
Time: 4 to 5 pm
Description: Join us to learn ways to make international experiences more affordable!
Laternenfest
Location: Tech Green
Time: 4:15 to 6:15 pm
Description: Join the German Program to celebrate Laternenfest by making Lanterns, eating sweet treats, and learning children's songs for the holiday!
Questions? Need help developing an idea? Email Kelci Reyes-Brannon at Kelci@oie.gatech.edu
Visit the Georgia Tech International Education Week Website to learn more.
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