Month: May 2024

A Season of Firsts

Written by Cate McCoy

First Days

Although I’m already halfway through my third week at GT-Europe, it feels like it was just yesterday that I landed in Frankfurt and boarded the shuttle to Metz. A lot has happened since then, like exploring Paris, trying escargot (and liking it), learning a lot of thermodynamics and fluid mechanics, and falling severely behind on my travel journaling. But that’s all for another time; for now, I want to go back and reflect on my first few days at GTE, starting with my arrival in Metz!

Once I got off the shuttle and checked into my dorm, I lugged my suitcases up the two flights of stairs to my room. My living space is a studio-style dorm in Crous Technopole that includes a bedroom, bathroom, and kitchenette. All the necessities were provided, including bedding, kitchenware, and some travel-sized toiletries. The building is close to campus and located near the lake; although living in the downtown Metz area would be fun, I’ve been super grateful for my short walk/bike to class (especially since I tend to sleep late!).  

After unpacking, I met up with a friend and walked to Cora, the nearby grocery store. Our shopping experience was humbling, as we were unable to read any of the labels and had to depend on Google Translate—at least we were providing entertainment to the other shoppers! Finally, after at least an hour spent wandering around the store trying to find everything, we checked out and headed back to the lake near our dorms. We sat by the water and ate our newly purchased baguettes, along with some meat, cheese, and olives. The area by the lake is beautiful and full of wildflowers and birds; while sitting, we watched a swan land on the water and spotted a heron perched in a tree. It was the perfect end to my first night in France.

The next morning, I walked to orientation feeling jetlagged and nervous. I came into the program only knowing a few people, so I was anxious about the social aspects of the day. Luckily, most of my peers were feeling the exact same way, and these shared nerves allowed us to quickly connect. Orientation involved a campus tour, presentations in the auditorium, and lunch; afterwards, we were thrown right into classes. It was a long and draining day, but I was left with a good idea of how the semester would look, which relieved my nerves and gave me more confidence.

For the rest of the first week, I continued to settle in. Classes picked up quickly, but I’m lucky to have formed valuable friendships with several of my peers. We’ve quickly developed a daily routine together, which involves getting lunch at the cafeteria and doing schoolwork in the student lounge before class, while taking breaks to discuss travel plans and book train tickets for the weekends.

First Impressions

Now that I’m through the beginning stages of the semester, I’ve had enough time to recognize the notable challenges and successes that I experience during my day-to-day life at GTE.

A main challenge I’ve experienced so far involves food. The cafeteria, Crous Resto U’ Technopole, is open during the school week, but only for two hours during lunchtime. While that covers one meal of the day, we’re left to fend for ourselves for the other two. I’ve been cooking in my kitchenette, but it’s made difficult by the fact that I have one pot, one pan, and no microwave or oven. I’m hesitant to buy more kitchenware since I’m unable to bring it home with me at the end of the summer. Because of these limitations, I often find myself hungry during the school week, a challenge that my friends have also expressed facing. Luckily, there are plenty of solutions to the problem that I plan to implement, such as making a list of staple meals I can prepare in my kitchen and planning my meals for the week.

Regarding school, each class is just under two hours, and the curriculum is presented at an accelerated pace to fit it all into the term; it’s difficult to absorb that much information every day. Despite this, the workload is manageable, and I’ve found that this is largely due to the small class sizes of the program. My classes each have around 15-40 students, which allows me to have more personal relationships with my peers and professors, while also making it easier to ask questions mid-lecture. I believe that this has improved my understanding of the curriculum and is a huge benefit of the program.

Finally, and most exciting of all, travel has been a major aspect of my experience at GTE. I’ve made it to Paris, Strasbourg, and Luxembourg, and am looking forward to exploring Amsterdam this upcoming weekend. While travel can often present many challenges, my friends and I have been lucky to have smooth-sailing trips so far. I could have filled this entire post with travel stories, but I wanted to instead use it to share my honest first impressions of the GT-Europe program, along with my initial thoughts and experiences. Even with the occasional obstacle, these past three weeks have been incredible, and I’ve surprised myself with how confident and independent I feel despite being in an unfamiliar environment. Not only will I leave France with new memories, friends, and knowledge, but also with a newfound understanding of myself that I’ll carry with me for the rest of my life.

Thanks for tuning in. See you next week!

Meet Cate!

Hi, my name is Cate McCoy! I’m a second year student majoring in chemical engineering, with specific interest in the environmental applications of the field. I’m from Marietta, GA, and having lived in Georgia my whole life, I’ve become antsy to get to know a new place. This summer, I get to do just that, and I can’t wait to broaden my horizons past the Pencil Building and the Peach State.

A core piece of my identity is my love for the outdoors. I credit this to my dad, as I grew up with him taking my three older sisters and I on a wide variety of adventures, from hiking to zip-lining to kayaking. At GT, I’m involved in rock-climbing through Outdoor Recreation Georgia Tech, so you’ll find me at the climbing gym during the week and at the crag on the weekends! My greatest outdoor adventure to date was this past summer in Vermont, where I camped for two months while working on a nature conservation crew. This summer, I’m looking forward to exploring the nature of Europe–some of the activities on my bucket list include hiking in Interlaken, visiting the Cliffs of Moher, and climbing in the Dolomites! 

While my love for the outdoors will likely lead me to the more remote locations of Europe, my other interests will provide me with plenty to do in the cities. As an avid reader and Goodreads user, I’m constantly looking for new books to read (even though I have at least 20 unread ones sitting on my shelf). While abroad, I look forward to visiting bookstores in the many cities I visit–a specific shop on my list is the famous Shakespeare and Company in Paris. Along with the bookstores, I’m excited to experience vintage markets, art museums, and concerts during my travels through Europe. 

Follow along for stories of my adventures abroad, whether it’s a day hike through the mountains of Switzerland or a shopping spree at a French street market!

Meet Andre!

Hello! My name is Andre Grossberg and I will be your Summer 2024 Georgia Tech (GT) Europe blogger! I am ecstatic about the opportunity to not only attend GTE, but also share my experiences with you all. Some particular things I am excited about are making friends with local students in foreign countries, getting closer to the tight-knit community GTE provides, learning about new cultures and practices, and of course… EATING LOTS OF FOOD.

Through the blog, I will be sharing everything I see and learn from my travels. From tips on how to travel cheaply, to wacky stories about what goes on in big cities in Europe, I hope to immerse the reader in what it is really like to be in European countries. I also hope to share any recommendations for others who are considering traveling or who are already in the area. Great food, nice places to stay, and breathtaking sights are a few things that come to mind. Travel is the teacher of the world so as I go to learn about people, cultures, and places through many adventures, I am excited to share all of it through this medium.

A little about me is that I am a first-year computer engineering student at GT and part of the First Year Leadership Organization Seek Discomfort. I play piano and the cello, and in my free time, I enjoy skateboarding and taking spontaneous trips to far away places. I hope that y’all are excited to come along with me for my upcoming trips and feel free to reach out to me at andre.gro@gatech.edu if you’d like to ask about anything you see on this page.

Happy travels!

Chasing the Northern Lights: Arctic Adventure at GTE

Written by and photos by Quin Kieu, GTE Fall 2022

GTE was my first time leaving the USA. My family does not go on vacation or travel due to financial reasons so leaving for France was a significant life event. To list off a few firsts, it was my first time getting on airplane, a train, solo traveling, and connecting with strangers. I have experienced many sights and met many great people on my travels. I want to tell you about one adventure.

During my spring break, my travel plans turned out to be completely opposite compared to my GTE peers. About half of the cohort flew to Italy and a quarter took a train to Spain. Upon applying to study abroad, I had already set my mind on traveling to the Arctic Circle and experiencing the Aurora Borealis. Originally a solo trip, I was glad that my new friend Jan, whom I met at GTE, decided to tag along and navigate the unbarred wilderness with me.

We set off in the early morning at 5 AM to catch a flight from Paris, France to Helsinki, Finland. A fourteen hour night train then took us deep into the northernmost region of Finland as we arrived in the small town of Kolari. During this train ride, I had a vivid dream where I saw the northern lights. I knew this was a good sign, but Jan was hesitant to get his hopes up. We were both aware that auroras do not always occur and that the vibrant light shows seen in pictures and videos are rare.

The first thing I noticed immediately upon stepping off the train was how the mucus in my nose instantly became frozen. The air temperature was a freezing -15°F during the daytime. At night, it dropped much lower and the biting wind would cut through my five pairs of pants. Being as I was born and raised in South Carolina, I had never experienced temperatures anywhere remotely close to this and was extremely out of my element. Despite these challenges, the country of Finland turned out to be extremely beautiful. The air was crisp and clean. It was extremely quiet and serene outside. The tap water was pure and tasted better than American bottled water. The sky and sunsets would be the most beautiful gradient of pastel baby blue and orange.

During my time there, the northern lights remained my top priority. With vigor, extraordinary amounts of optimism, and a belly full of reindeer meat – a Finnish staple – Jan and I managed to rent a charming Volvo station wagon and set off into the night. This far out into the wilderness, there was no Hertz or similar car rental company. Our workhorse was fortunately obtained when the hotelkeeper called up her friend on the phone and introduced us. An under the table deal of sorts, we were just happy to have a mode of transport. We then later discovered that the check engine light was on but had simply been covered over with tape. We gritted our teeth and prayed that our Volvo, nicknamed Freya after the Norse goddess, would lead us safely.

We ventured deep into the wilderness, away from civilization, and were graced with the auroras. I have never seen a more beautiful sight in my life. The dynamic display of nature and the serpentine folds glimmered for us to see. Words and pictures do not fully encompass or describe the experience. I gained a unique reverence for nature following this encounter.

The next morning, the hotelkeeper told us that we were incredibly lucky and should buy a lottery ticket – which I attempted to do but would not know how to redeem it if I did win. They told us of the many travelers who come back over a span of years and do not see any auroras, let alone the active and spirited ones that we experienced on our first night here.

After spending two nights in Kolari, Jan and I traveled to Rovaniemi, the official town of Santa Claus. Here, we made friends with a Finnish border guard in our hostel. He was incredibly humble and was once in the army. Having missed a bus to go husky sledding, he graciously drove us an hour and helped us out during our time in Finland.

My time in the Arctic Circle was only half of spring break but was already the best trip I have had in my life. Finland holds a special place in my heart – I plan on returning as my Finnish friend has invited me back for summer adventure.

A Final Reflection

Written by Serena Khan

As I sit down to write this final reflection for my blog, I’m overwhelmed with gratitude and a bit of disbelief. Studying abroad through Georgia Tech-Europe has, without a doubt, been the best decision of my college career. This journey has most definitely been a deep dive into personal growth and cultural immersion. I can now leave knowing I have made lifelong friends whom I can truly call family.

**Academic and Personal Growth**

This semester abroad challenged me academically in ways I hadn’t anticipated. I took five courses, four of which, though not directly contributing to my major, enriched my knowledge profoundly. From learning how to document my travels in a Creative Writing class to understanding the fundamentals of building a startup in the Startup Lab, each class pushed the boundaries of my usual curriculum back home.

Among these, my favorite class was French 1001 with Professor Sonia Serafin. Professor Serafin is an eccentric and caring teacher who goes beyond the textbook to engage with her students. She strives to ensure that everyone not only learns French but also enjoys the learning process. Her class was instrumental in helping us master the basics needed for getting around in French-speaking regions, and she was always willing to help students achieve good grades, as long as they showed effort and care.

Despite these enriching experiences, one area I struggled with was time management. Balancing coursework, blog writing, and travel proved more challenging than expected. This struggle has taught me valuable lessons about prioritizing and managing my time—a skill I aim to hone as I move forward from this experience.

**Navigating Social Dynamics**

Traveling with peers from various backgrounds tested and strengthened my interpersonal skills, particularly patience. Learning to travel with people whom I might not always agree with taught me the importance of compromise and flexibility. These situations, where it was easy to become frustrated, instead taught me to remain optimistic and seek solutions collaboratively.

**Cultural and Social Insights**

Traveling without the security of my family taught me to be more vigilant and resourceful, and it pushed me out of my comfort zone on numerous occasions (like when I lost my phone in Munich…). The ability to navigate foreign cities, deal with unexpected situations, and communicate across language barriers has given me a new level of independence and confidence.

The people I met have turned into lifelong friends who now feel more like family. These relationships have been one of the most rewarding aspects of my study abroad experience. Whether sharing a meal, exploring a new city, or simply studying together, these moments of connection have made my study abroad journey that much more special.

Some of my favorite places from this semester were Amsterdam, Lisbon, Capri, Rome, and Madrid. Each place gave me unique experiences and beautiful scenery. One of my most cherished memories was a pasta-making class in Rome. This unforgettable four-hour session taught us how to craft pasta from scratch and prepare tiramisu. It brought me so much closer to my friends, and the joy and laughter we shared during this experience will stay with me forever. Another memorable moment occurred when I accompanied my friends to a local piercer in Rome. It was a day filled with excitement and a bit of nervous anticipation as one friend decided to get a nose piercing, and another opted for his ears to be pierced. Sharing in their experience and seeing their reactions was so exciting and also emblematic of the adventurous spirit that defined our time together abroad.

**Lisbon and Lifelong Friendships**

A pivotal moment in my journey was an early trip to Lisbon with two friends, who I now call my sisters <3. This trip was one of our first experiences just as a trio, and it cemented our bond together. From then on, we were nearly inseparable on every group trip, always the closest and gravitating towards each other. The laughs we shared and the memories we created in Lisbon and beyond are irreplaceable. I consider these friends family now, and I am eternally grateful for their presence in my life.

**Balancing Academics and Adventures**

Most of my coursework was completed during long train rides across Europe which is a demonstration of the unique challenges of balancing academics with exploration.

These moments, spent writing papers with scenic landscapes whisking by, were unexpectedly beautiful and vastly productive. They taught me that the beauty of study abroad lies in the integration of learning with living.

One of the best pieces of advice I can offer future students is to focus on time management. Even though I was fortunate to have less rigorous classes, I know that students in engineering or computer science face more challenging coursework. Using travel time, like long train rides, for studying or completing assignments was a tactic many of my friends employed successfully. Additionally, forming study groups helps hold each other accountable and allows for shared learning. Everyone wants to enjoy their travels without the heavy weight of schoolwork hanging over them, so staying on top of assignments is crucial.

Another valuable piece of advice is to remain flexible and adaptable. Things won’t always go as planned, whether in academics or travel, but keeping a positive outlook and going with the flow can turn potential disappointments into unexpected adventures.

**Overcoming Comparison**

An important lesson I learned was how comparison can steal joy. Not every trip or experience could be shared with everyone, and sometimes I had to make sacrifices due to family commitments or time-constraints. It was crucial to remember not to let these missed opportunities overshadow the wonderful experiences I did have. Gratitude was key in maintaining a positive outlook and fully appreciating my own unique journey, without comparing it to others’.

**Future Aspirations and Gratitude**

This isn’t the last time I’ll be abroad. The experiences here have ignited a passion for international travel and work that I’m eager to explore further. I am incredibly thankful for this opportunity—every challenge, every new friend, every unexpected adventure has contributed to a semester of immense growth and gratitude.

**Conclusion**

Though I initially regretted that this semester would extend my college career, I no longer view it as a setback but as a unique opportunity that has broadened my perspectives and enhanced my academic journey. As I look ahead, I’m excited to continue my writing and apply the invaluable lessons I’ve learned.

To everyone who has followed this blog, thank you for sharing this journey with me. If anyone reading ever has any questions about study abroad or college in general, feel free to ask me at skhan408@gatech.edu!