Posted by Julie
Welcome to your new home, GTLers! While you’re here, there is so much to do and experience, and the Bureau des Etudiants is here to facilitate that. With our organization and the funds from your GTL fees, we will be hosting many events and activities for YOU!
Your team was assembled Tuesday afternoon, and I thought it’d be nice to get to know to whom you can talk and suggest ideas. We’re here to work with you, so come talk to us!
Here you’ll find each of their short interviews, during which they were asked to answer four questions. Hopefully this gives you an brief idea as to who they are and why they’re on the BDE.
AJ, President (BS ME)
Why are you at GTL?
I’m here because I’ve wanted to travel and see what the rest of the world has to offer. It’s so easy to just say “I’m fine here in the U.S.,” but then you’re cutting off potentially millions
of opportunities – so that’s one of my main reasons. Plus word on the street is Europe is pretty beautiful.
What do you hope to accomplish in your position?
I want to partner with other BDEs to put on events during the week so that we can all get a chance to meet folks outside of GTL and practice our French (for those of us who are trying to practice French). By meeting these other students, they can help us enjoy an authentic European experience instead of just what’s on the tour guide, and partnership will also help us find our differences in culture and celebrate them.
What is your dream travel destination?
My ultimate dream is a tie between Brazil, Australia, and Kenya. I really want to visit the Amazon in Brazil, the Outback in Australia, and the savannas of Kenya. Maybe I’ll be able to go on a world tour of all 3 one day.
What is your favorite food?
Easily gumbo because I love seafood sooooooo [sic] much. I think I’m going to make some while I’m here for GTL, so be on the lookout.
What is your favorite quote?
I can’t decide between these two:
“Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.” – Dr. Seuss
“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Julie, Vice President (BS IE)
Why are you at GTL?
The value of studying abroad is extremely important to me, and after visiting France once before after studying the language and culture for years, I have fallen in love. GTL seemed like a wonderful opportunity to live and learn other cultures, as the culture of the program is one of pursuing new experiences.
What do you hope to accomplish in your position?
My hope is to bridge the many communities we have stemming from GTL through activities and cultural experiences. Whether this be cheese tasting, indoor skiing, or seeing a handball championship, there is so much to do in Metz. In a similar way, there is a lot we can learn from the people surrounding us, and I want to make all of this more accessible.
What is your dream travel destination?
Either Ireland or Norway.
What is your favorite quote?
“What is a soul? It’s like electricity – we don’t really know what it is, but it’s a force that can light a room.”- Ray Charles
Indiana, Treasurer (BS AE)
Why are you at GTL?
I have been really fond of France and French culture since I studied it in high School. Also, I get the chance to travel throughout France and Europe as well, while I get to improve my French
What do you hope to accomplish in your position?
I want to make sure, as treasurer, the students here get the most out of each event, while having as many events as we can!
What is your dream travel destination?
Paris, France; Cairo, Egypt; and Agra, India.
What is your favorite quote?
“One way to get the most out of life is too look upon it as an adventure” – W. Feather
Ije, Secretary (BS IE)
Why are you at GTL?
Georgia Tech Lorraine is great for students who seek both international
and cultural experience. Not to mention, GTL is a worldwide renowned engineering institution. The GT Lorraine program is so great because, outside of living in Metz, France, there too is the opportunity for exploration and adventure in neighboring cities and countries. Europe is a very interconnected continent, extremely rich in history and culture. I came to GTL because I wanted to immerse myself in a culture different from my own while living in a beautiful and historical environment.
What do you hope to accomplish in your position?
I want to help the BDE plan some really great and unique events this year. One idea I have would be for us to take a trip to an amusement park, once they open up again in the spring. Also as secretary, I plan to keep in constant contact with all students in the program to keep them up to date on the executive board’s plans, while also receiving their input.
What is your dream travel destination?
My dream travel destination is Ibiza, which is an island off the coast of Spain. Its beaches are absolutely beautiful and the atmosphere seems amazing!
What is your favorite food?
My favorite food has always been French Fries (ironically). It’s no surprise that the fries here taste a lot better.
Réné, Sports Coordinator (BS ME)
Why are you at GTL?
This is a great opportunity to study abroad because it’s always good to take classes in other countries. I took classes at Tech [Atlanta], but I wanted to experience the French culture and culture of other countries in Europe.
What do you hope to accomplish in your position?
As the Sports Coordinator, my hope is to make sure we organize soccer games a few times over the semester, to the goal of connecting GTL and the surrounding French schools through sports.
What is your dream travel destination?
Paris, France and Italy because they are iconic, Germany for the technology, and Spain for the beautiful cities like Barcelona and Madrid.
What is your favorite quote?
“Each problem that I solved became a rule, which served afterwards to solve other problems.” – Réné
Eduardo, Webmaster (BS CS)
Why are you at GTL?
I love traveling.
What do you hope to accomplish in your position?
I haven’t thought that through yet – this was a bit spontaneous. [Eduardo was appointed Webmaster due to his CS skills.]
What is your dream travel destination?
Everywhere – I love different cultures and places, and I’d like to visit them all!
What is your favorite quote?
“It’s your horse, you ride it!” – Eduardo
Asmaa, College Interaction Coordinator (MS ME)
Why are you at GTL?
I wanted to grow as a person and a scholar. GTL is a distinguished research environment – a world class engineering environment – and somewhere to seek an international career. Personally, I came to make new friends, experience a different culture, and travel to see new places.
What do you hope to accomplish in your position?
My personal dream in my second semester as College Interaction Coordinator is to create a collaborative painting with ICN; I’m working with the Bureau des Arts there to bring this to life. I also would like to bring the GTL community together through service and volunteering. And always I’m ready to help with others’ new ideas as well.
What is your dream travel destination?
The Eternal City – Rome. To make a wish in the Trevi fountain and to visit the Colisseum would be wonderful, as the city means a lot to me – historically and culturally. I love the Italian language and feel it matches personality.
What is your favorite food?
Ice cream! With the two scoops, I usually go with my favorite, vanilla, but like trying something more eccentric for the other.
Bao, Game Night Coordinator (BS EE)
The writer didn’t have a chance to catch up with Bao, but will soon! Say hello to Bao if you seem him and get to know him.