Georgia Tech’s role as a hub of worldwide collaboration and global network construction begins with the Office of International Education (OIE). This is evident during International Education Week. IEW is a celebration of all things international at Tech and will highlight Tech’s multicultural, global population, by offering a variety of programs open to students and the campus community that share the diverse array of international opportunities available at Tech.

OIE powerfully impacts all corners of campus—from sending thousands of students abroad, to serving more than 5,400 international student and scholars, and fostering good global citizens through the Global Leadership, I-Lead, and I-House living learning communities and intercultural programs like ICEBERG. OIE's annual reports, coming out next week, show how Tech continues to serve locally and globally. 

Academic year 2022 saw a nearly 25% increase in Education Abroad participation—bringing Tech back to just shy of pre-pandemic participation numbers. 2,252 GT students participated in international experiences spanning 55+ countries across six continents. Also, Tech welcomed 1,991 new international students to the Atlanta campus this fall. Nationally, Tech ranks sixteenth in international student population size with more than 5,400 enrolled international students from 124 countries worldwide.

This year’s IEW has a robust program with more than thirty opportunities to engage. Please join us for the IEW Kick-off, which includes snacks from across the world on Monday, November 13 from 9:30-11:30am on Skiles Walkway. Learn how to go global with GT through our numerous student abroad information sessions that will happen throughout the week like the German Exchange Program, Argentina LBAT, and French Study Abroad information sessions. 

Learn from students as they share about their international experiences at the Photo Contest Reception, the Students of Color Exchange Panel, and the Peer Advisor Panel. Students and campus partners alike are invited to experience the world through Korea Day, Japan Day, and through the Cultural Agility Speaker Series.  

Study abroad continues to be one of the most transformative experiences a student can have during their time in college. Launched in September, Georgia Tech’s Free Passport Initiative is a prime example of Tech’s commitment to students connecting globally and reducing financial barriers. By covering the passport application and photo fees, the program provides a gateway for eligible students to engage in international learning experiences. While the Fall application is now closed, there will be a Spring application cycle and more information will be available soon. In addition to the Free Passport Initiative, all domestic students, staff, and faculty are invited to get their passport at the GT Passport Fair.  

Finally, OIE seeks to equip students with knowledge that will serve them now and in the future. International students are invited to learn real-life skills on how to manage finances at Dollars and Sense: An International Student Panel on Personal Finances. There will also be a panel of international students sharing their experiences of successfully navigating the transition into the internship and professional space at the International Professional and Internship Experience Panel. These are a sampling of this year’s IEW events and the full line up can be found at: iew.gatech.edu/.