Category: Why GTE?

Find out why students are choosing to go to Georgia Tech-Europe!

Forgotten Metz: The Value in the Local City

Written by: Ashlyn Willis

I, along with many other students in this program, was initially enthralled with this program for all it offers on the international scheme. Travelling across Europe every weekend for the entire summer? Say no more! Like clockwork, we scrambled around booking trains, sketching itineraries, and drafting packing lists every week, all in the pursuit of new cities, new experiences, and more. Paris, Amsterdam, Vienna, the list goes on. However, between the excitement of these outbound journeys and the exhaustion of returning late Sunday nights, these past few weeks, I began to realize I had begun overlooking the city we were actually living in. 

Not long ago, if you had asked me to point Metz, France, out on a map, I wouldn’t have even known where to look in the country. And yet, it has slowly become a quiet place of significance in this movement-filled summer. Particularly in the last week, as I spent much time downtown, I found myself wandering down the cobblestone streets and admiring the softness of the town. It has a gentler rhythm, with less broadcasted stories than larger, more tourist-drawing cities, but the history here is anything but quiet. From its Roman ruins to its huge cathedral, Metz itself is rich with history. Even for its beauty alone, Metz to me seems like something from a fairytale or storybook. The Moselle River, the main river running in its center, is always so magical to me with how lily pads float on the edge of the water, washing up against the stones of the pathways lining its bank. It is a nice calm, especially walking down alongside it on the lower levels with a tree-lined park by the marina.

Images at sunset of the Metz marina on the Moselle River and the Temple Neuf.

One of my favorite discoveries has been the small corner near the Temple Neuf, the castle-looking building where the river splits and creates a little island park. You can sit under a tree or on the benches and watch boats drift by or people walk along the streets, with the sound of the many tree leaves rustling or the church bells in the distance. Just uphill from the river lies the cathedral, so mentioned, one of the biggest draws I have found myself to in Metz. The way its towering height appears out of nowhere never ceases to amaze me. One of my favorite things about it is the color scheme; the sandy gold stone matches the colors of the town, so despite its intricate Gothic engravings, it still blends in seamlessly.  

Metz has reminded me that exploration and travel aren’t always about how many miles have been travelled or how many cities have been visited; sometimes it’s about looking a little harder into what’s right in front of you. Don’t get me wrong; I still catch plenty of trains on the weekends (having travelled 2 days, 22 hours, and 52 minutes worth of time so far according to my Eurorail app) and I love the thrill of stepping into a new place, but I have definitely come to realize Metz is so much more than a place to sleep and attend classes. Whether it’s wandering around at dusk with gelato from Amorino’s, reading the stories about the dragon Graoully, or catching the MB bus from Francois Arago to visit the train station for a field trip, Metz has grown on me immensely for all it has to offer!

The Graoully dragon, hung up in the street or “village” of Taison.

History and Humanities: The Promises They Offer

Written by: Ashlyn Willis

Walking into the first day of classes was rough; it was a quick and immediate turnaround from the nine hour flight and four hour bus ride from Hartsfield-Jackson, Atlanta to Frankfurt, Germany, and finally to Metz, France. Furthermore, there was no masking the fact that it was indeed at its core, school. However, soon after the first week of classes I was quick to count my blessings. I have made several friends enrolled in classes like computer science, math, and more, and although I am a science major as well, I am using this summer as an opportunity to complete my free-elective credits. I therefore strategically designed what I deem to be a spectacular schedule:

Monday and Wednesday

10:25 am – 12:20 pm: History, Science, and Technology

Tuesday and Thursday

10:25 am – 12:20 pm: Creative Writing

1:30 pm – 3:25 pm: Documentary Film

(On Tuesdays, the occasional 6 pm – 8 pm GTE 2000 lecture as well)

I was able to choose classes I was passionate about, rather than ones I directly needed for my major of environmental science. Because of this, I have been able to take what feels like a much-needed breath of fresh air after my first year academic experience completing core classes at Georgia Tech. I am incredibly passionate about history and the arts, and given that I am a person who is motivated for schoolwork when I am interested about the subject, I was incredibly grateful to be able to take these classes. Furthermore, I was unaware of the fact that many of my GTE classes would overlap in content. In GTE 2000 and field trips to the local Metz museum with Creative Writing, we discussed ancient Roman architecture and its impact on the region.

Images of Roman baths and carvings in the Museum of La Cour d’Or based here in Metz, France.

In History, Science, and Technology, and another outing with Creative Writing to the Gare de Metz, we discussed architecture choices and Gothic builds. In Documentary Film, we covered how to conduct a good interview, of which I will be doing with peers for this very task as a GTE blogger! (Another shout-out to Creative Writing, as the overarching focus of the class for this summer is travel writing…convenient with helping me to better my skills in writing blogs!) Not to mention, these classes have helped me appreciate my travels even more. Up to this point, I have utilized my weekends to visit Luxembourg, Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam, Vienna, Budapest, and Bratislava; all places with diverse and rich histories. Given the subjects of my classes, I have been able to notice certain things with different cities that I may not have fully understood before. For example, in my GTE 2000 class, we learned how the use of flying buttresses in Gothic architecture helped to raise ceilings so much higher than before, lending way for the massive cathedrals found all across Europe. In visiting Vienna, I was able to see a magnificent example of this with St. Stephen’s Cathedral; a towering build with the most intricate designs I had ever seen. In my History class as well, we have an individual project for our case studies to present to the class, and I chose to discuss building Gothic architecture, a topic which I now feel quite knowledgeable in due to these classes.

Images from inside and outside St. Stephen’s Cathedral, Vienna, Austria, showcasing its towering ceilings and spires.

The experience of being able to travel to learn more about our topics has been incredibly beneficial to deepening my appreciation for both my classes as well as for weekend trips. I have also found myself doing research on different places in an attempt to learn more about what I will be seeing. For instance, it was interesting to note how both the city of Luxembourg and Bratislava were somewhat built into cliffs as fortifications. Both were cities that I had not known too much about before visiting, and in reading about them, I was able to gain a better appreciation and understanding for their impressive construction. Taking these humanities classes has helped me to realize there should never be a lack of underappreciation of all that they have to offer; you’ll never know how the things you gain from them could help you appreciate more of the world we live in and all the unique perspectives there are!

Views from Bratislava, Slovakia and Luxembourg City, Luxembourg showcasing their fortress-like build.

I’ll Return Soon

Written by: Katherine Sanders

At 3 pm, my phone buzzes every five minutes, notifying me of my friends’ locations. Life360 lets me know that they’re leaving “home,” some arriving at “culc” while others go to different buildings for lectures and GTXR meetings. Although the knowledge of their locations doesn’t give me any benefit right now, the notifications remind me of campus life. I’ve missed it a lot. 

In a couple of days, I will fly to Montana. I leave my apartment at 1 am, fly to Dallas at 2 pm, make my connection to Billings at 7 pm, and hug my parents before going to bed at 10 pm. I will return for six days before leaving for Florida on May 9th. 

The flight from home to Paris was daunting, but the journey back and quick turnaround are nothing compared to the travel I’ve experienced this semester. It has taught me perseverance and strength. Maddie and I stayed up for 36 hours straight to save money on accommodation in Barcelona. This 24-hour travel day will feel like nothing.

The past four months have felt like years. Our “EUROPE” shared album holds pictures from the cities I loved. I often think about how I’ll visit them in the future. In Prague, I’ll go inside the castle. In London, I’ll take my time to look around the museums. I’ll go to Paris in the spring rather than the winter. I think about who I’ll go with–children? Parents? New friends? Old friends? I look at the nice hotels in convenient locations. When I’m older, my family and I will stay there. 

I look back on this semester and am proud of my choice to study abroad, but wish I did many things differently. Here’s how you can do better than me (and please, do better than me): 

Don’t overpack 

I packed two suitcases full of heavy winter clothes. They are near the 50lb limit, and as I look at my overflowing drawers, I wish I had left more room. Traveling each weekend requires you to pack light anyway, so there’s no need to bring tons of shoes or jeans (you will rewear them whether you want to or not!) 

Clean your room 

I’m not the cleanest person, but my room at GTE is the dirtiest I’ve ever let my room get. Every time I arrived back from a weekend of travel, I carelessly unpacked my items, knowing they would just be packed up again soon. As dishes piled and trash filled, I started telling myself, “I’m leaving again anyway.” My room never felt like my room. I dreaded returning to it. My bed was never made, and my desk was never clear, but I didn’t have the energy to fix it. 

Explore Metz 

The streets of Metz are picturesque. When the weather got warmer, we sat by the Temple Neuf for the entire afternoon and talked. The view across the river was beautiful, and listening to locals talk was calming.

Start your work early 

I started all of my homework two or three days before it was due, and it overwhelmed my short weeks. If I had made it a habit to finish my work as soon as it was assigned, I would have felt more inclined to clean my room or explore Metz! 

Truthfully, I don’t know how you wouldn’t make these mistakes. Maybe you’ll start your homework early, but let it catch up to you. Maybe you DO need 50 lbs of clothes. Maybe one trip into Metz was enough. I made all of these mistakes, but it didn’t make this semester less rewarding. 

I learned how to navigate Eurail. I learned Assembly, C, and numpy functions. I learned how to stay calm when I miss a flight. I learned how to triple integrate! I’ve been on tens of trains, fourteen countries, and consumed ten pounds of Persian food (most of which is fessenjān).


If you read my blogs to prepare for your semester abroad, stress just enough. Plan your trips. Book things in advance. Clean your room. Cook real food sometimes. But don’t worry about executing everything perfectly. It’s okay to miss home, and it’s okay to adapt to new routines, because you live in a new country now, and not everything can be the same. 

If you read my blogs to gather insight into what your children/siblings/friends do while they’re gone, I bet they’re having a lot of fun, but I bet they’re missing you. 

If you read my blogs to keep up with my adventures: I’ve had the best time containing these memories into short pieces for you to see. Every weekend trip, every stupid mistake and every six hour layover was worth it knowing someone might laugh about it.

In four months, I will check Life360 to know if Zach is coming back to our apartment for dinner. We will make Persian food–fessenjān, tahdig, geymeh and shirazi salad–and we will gather around our dinner table to catch up. My phone will ping with notifications of our friends arriving. They will tell us about their 2025 and we will tell them as much as we can remember about ours.

Eating My Way Through Metz

Written by: Katherine Sanders

I take food VERY seriously. For me, experiencing a new country primarily means experiencing a new cuisine. In Germany I needed schnitzel, in Italy I needed gelato, and in Belgium I needed chocolate. My willingness to eat out on the weekends usually means that in Metz, I take advantage of all the free food opportunities I can get. 

Breakfast is catered by Paul. You can expect to get a different breakfast every day of the week, but there isn’t an assigned food for each day. It rotates between full size croissants and pain au chocolats; mini croissants, mini pain au chocolats and mini gourmandises; powdered jelly-filled beignets and nutella-filled chocolate-dipped beignets; and chocolate chip brioche with an assortment of breakfast cakes.

Coffee, orange juice, and apple juice are always provided. There is also a vending machine in the lounge that serves lattes, cappuccinos, americanos and potage “tomats” (tomato soup???).

As I’ve mentioned before, lunch at GTE is provided by the nearby high school, “Crous.” The lunch period for French high schools is very long. In French culture, lunch is a time to take a break and socialize. Working while eating is unacceptable and fortunately, I comply. 

Unlike in the U.S., where lunch is usually a grab-and-go situation, French organizations take their lunch seriously. The local cafeteria available to GTE students serves lunch consisting of a savory side, main, and sweet side. Students are allotted ten points. Five of those come from the main course and the other five come from two sides. You can mix and match however you like, but your plate cannot exceed ten points.

Sides are usually carrot, celeriac root, beetroot, green salad or potato salad. Depending on the size, these are usually worth two points. Sometimes, there’s fish, liver pâté or hard-boiled eggs. These sides are worth three points. Every day, a new type of cheese is given as a side for two points.

The main meal is typically a combination of meat (or substitute), grain, and vegetable stir fry. Students have a good amount of power in what they get on their plate. You can mix and match a single protein with different sides. There are two types of meats, one a vegetarian option and one chicken, turkey, or beef. Couscous, rice, or mashed potatoes are the grain, and the constant vegetable stir fry always has green beans and carrots. There are a few odd days where french fries, lasagna, or kebab are choices. If you tell the servers you are “grosse faim” (very hungry), they will give you “une grande portion” (a large portion). The same goes for if you are “petite faim.”

For dessert, fruit, coffee, flan and vanilla yogurts are always offered. Typically, there are one or two flavors of mousse or pudding. Since these desserts are prepackaged, they are worth two points. If students are lucky, there can be hazelnut fritters, crepes, tartes or cake. These are all three points. Fruits are always bananas, kiwis, apples and oranges. A large piece of fruit and two small pieces of fruit are two points.

At the end of the line, you place your prepaid “Izly” card on the scanner. I’ve seen some French students pay by card, and it looks like the total is only 3€. After paying, you offered a free “pain” (roll of bread.) I’ve described the cafeteria multiple times, but again, it’s like a high school cafeteria. Water pitchers are at the tables, and students fill them up with a pedal-powered water fountain. 

Even after weekends with nice meals and authentic European food, the cafeteria never disappoints me. 

P.S. I have a food account (@nibblesbitsandbytes on Instagram (it’s a play on terms for binary strings)) and write food reviews!!!

Student Concert

Written by Guest Blogger Lila Noble

Recently, I had the wonderful opportunity to attend a student concert in downtown Metz. I learned about the event through my professor, who leads the French program I’m part of, and she encouraged all of us in the program to go together. Naturally, I was super excited about it. The entire group met up with our professor beforehand for some snacks and conversation, which was such a great way to start the evening. The concert itself was scheduled to begin around 8:30 p.m., and it felt so refreshing to get dressed up for something special and actually get out of the dorms for a change.

All of the students in our group took the bus down to the city center, where we met our professor. It was so nice to see her in a non-classroom setting. She’s actually a super sweet lady, and I really enjoyed getting to know her better. We chatted about her kids, her passion for teaching, and how our program connects French language learning with climate change. It’s rare to connect with professors on such a personal level, and it made me appreciate her even more. Before we knew it, we were walking across Republic Plaza to the concert hall, which sits right along the beautiful Moselle River. The setting was stunning, especially as the city lights reflected on the water.

We arrived about 20 minutes before the concert began, and the atmosphere was electric. I could feel the excitement building as students poured into the hall. I also forgot to mention that this was a free concert for all students in the Metz area, which made it even more incredible. The hall was absolutely packed—I’d guess there were about 1,000 students in attendance, and every seat in the massive venue was filled. It was also really cool to see other students from GTE (Georgia Tech-Europe) there, representing our program.

When the concert finally started, the entire audience gasped with surprise as the 25-year-old conductor walked onto the stage. He was clearly decorated and well-respected, and there was something magnetic about his presence. He led the orchestra into the first movement of Tchaikovsky’s Fourth Symphony, and it was breathtaking. The music began with a powerful, ominous fanfare from the brass section that immediately grabbed everyone’s attention. I’ll admit, at the time, I didn’t know anything about the piece or what to expect—I’m very new to the world of classical music. But even without that background, I could feel the emotion and energy radiating from the orchestra.

After the first movement, something unexpected happened: the conductor turned to the audience and began speaking. In French, he explained that this was not just a concert—it was meant to be a learning experience for all of the students in attendance. He wanted us to walk away with a deeper understanding and appreciation for orchestral music. He started with the string section, having the first chair of each instrument (violin, viola, cello, and bass) play a small part from the first movement so we could hear their unique contributions. It was fascinating to hear how the different strings blended together yet each carried its own distinct voice.

The concert was also interactive, which made it even more engaging. At one point, the conductor asked the string section to play an eight-count from a famous piece, and one of them turned out to be the iconic melody from Jaws. I thought that was so cool! As someone with very little experience in this kind of music, I was amazed by how much depth there is and how recognizable some melodies can be, even to a newcomer.

After the musicians played the second movement, the conductor paused again to tell us about Tchaikovsky. I absolutely loved this part. As a ballerina, I already knew a bit about him because he wrote the music for The Nutcracker ballet, but it was so interesting to learn more about his life and struggles. Hearing about the composer made the music feel more personal and alive.

The conductor then introduced the woodwind section, which turned out to be one of my favorites. He had them play several melodies, and I was so proud when I correctly recognized one from Swan Lake (another famous Tchaikovsky ballet). The woodwinds had such a rich, melodic sound that I couldn’t help but fall in love with their tone.

The orchestra moved on to the third movement, which quickly became my favorite. The string section played almost entirely pizzicato (plucking the strings), creating a light, playful, and dancing effect. It was such a sharp contrast to the heaviness of the first two movements, and I loved how it felt like a breath of fresh air. This contrast made the symphony feel even more dynamic and expressive.

After that, the conductor introduced the brass and percussion sections, giving each a chance to shine. He also took a moment to explain the role of the conductor, which was super interesting. To demonstrate, he invited a volunteer from the audience to come up and try conducting the orchestra. It was hilarious to watch but also surprisingly impressive—with the conductor’s guidance, the student volunteer actually managed to create a beautiful sound. The whole audience cheered, and it was such a fun, lighthearted moment.

Finally, the orchestra played the fourth and final movement, which was nothing short of spectacular. It was grand, powerful, and beautifully written, leaving everyone in the hall on a high note. I was blown away by the sheer talent of the musicians and the energy of the performance.

After the concert, there was a small mixer where students could mingle and chat. It was super fun, and I loved meeting and talking with students from other programs in Metz. It felt great to be part of such a vibrant and diverse community. Eventually, I caught the bus back to the dorms, feeling so grateful for the experience. It was truly a magical evening. One that deepened my appreciation for orchestral music and gave me memories I’ll cherish for a long time.

A Homestay, but Not

Written by Guest Blogger Lila Noble

I think my best day abroad happened when I truly noticed my French improving. It all started when I volunteered to go with my speaking partner from my French conversation class to visit the home of a French family. I was both excited and nervous for this experience. I knew that I’d have to speak French the entire time, and because I was at a higher level than my partner, I felt responsible for carrying most of the conversation with the family. Adding to the pressure, the visit was scheduled to last from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m., and the thought of speaking French for five hours straight felt a little overwhelming. I was nervous but determined to give it my best shot.

About three hours before the event, I got a text from my partner. She had to cancel because she had a big exam the next day and needed to study. Suddenly, my nerves skyrocketed—now I was going to do this visit entirely on my own, without the support of a friend. My anxiety grew, but I reminded myself that this was an incredible opportunity to push myself.

I walked to the Georgia Tech building, where I was supposed to wait for the family to pick me up. It was drizzling as I made my way there, and while the light rain did little to calm my nerves, I tried to focus on the excitement of the experience. As I stood with a few other students, waiting for our host families, my mind kept racing with all the possible ways the night could go. Finally, my family arrived. It was a woman named Rebecca, along with her stepdaughter Sarah. They welcomed me with such warmth and enthusiasm that my nerves started to ease a little bit. Rebecca was chatting with some of the program administrators, and I struck up a conversation with Sarah. She was a senior in high school, and it turned out that she spoke a bit of English, which made me feel a little more at ease. Her specialty in school was English, so I knew that if I really got stuck, we could communicate in English if necessary. Once we got into the car, they immediately asked if I was okay with their dog. I enthusiastically said yes—I love dogs—and I was thrilled to see a small, adorable white poodle. Her name was Jazz, and she ended up sitting on my lap for most of the car ride. Having her there helped calm me down a lot, and it made the drive to their apartment much more comfortable. We chatted in French the whole way, and it felt surprisingly natural.

When we arrived at the apartment, I met the rest of the family. Rebecca’s son Ewen, who was eight, and Sarah’s older brother Thibaud, who was nineteen and studying English at university. We all introduced ourselves, and I could feel my confidence growing as the conversation flowed. I spent a little more time talking with Sarah in French, and then we all sat down for dinner. Dinner was lively and full of laughter. I was completely immersed in French conversation, and it felt like a breakthrough moment for me. Despite my initial nervousness, I found myself keeping up with the flow of the conversation and even contributing. After dinner, I continued chatting with Sarah and Thibaud, and we spoke entirely in French. We talked about their studies, my experiences in France, and even shared a few jokes. It was the first time I really felt like I could hold my own in a full-length French conversation.

Before I knew it, it was 11:30 p.m., and it was time for me to head back. As I said goodbye, they warmly insisted that I come back next week, which made me feel like I had truly made a connection with them. The whole experience was wonderful, not only because of the home-cooked meal and the warm, familial atmosphere, but also because it gave me a sense of fulfillment and accomplishment. It felt amazing to see my French improving in such a real and meaningful way, and it was incredibly rewarding to feel comfortable speaking the language for an entire evening.

Looking back, that night gave me so much more than just language practice. It gave me a sense of belonging, a feeling of being welcomed into a family, and the satisfaction of knowing that my hard work in learning French was paying off. I absolutely loved the experience and am already looking forward to returning to my makeshift “homestay” family for many more evenings to come.

Metz Part 2: Mirabelles

Written by Matteo Ruffo

I am an overzealous traveler and in my desire to see the world, I seemed to immediately forget about the historical city right in front of me after arriving at GT-Europe. My mind immediately raced to my first trip: a tour of Luxembourg and Belgium. I booked my buses and trains, my lodging and museums, and then received an email that conflicted me: the Mirabelle Festival was this weekend! And so, I cut my (absolutely wonderful) Belgium trip a day short, and booked a 6:00 am bus back to Metz on Sunday in order to experience one of Lorraine’s most important traditions firsthand.

Out of all of Metz’s traditions, the Mirabelle Festival is certainly the most famous. Mirabelles are a tiny golden plum that have been harvested in Lorraine for a few hundred years. The two variations are the larger, more bruised Nancy Mirabelle, and the smaller, more tart Metz Mirabelle; the latter of which is the subject of the festival. Mirabelles aren’t only eaten at this festival, they are cherished. There is mirabelle art, concerts dedicated to the mirabelle, and any assortment of food or drink that you can imagine made from mirabelles. Now, why are Mirabelles so beloved? In order to understand, let me paint a bigger picture for you.

Metz was founded as Divodurum by the Romans, and quickly became rich due to its grapes and the wine that those grapes made. Divodurum prospered for a while, until it didn’t. During the Year of the Four Emperors in 69 AD, the pretender emperor Vitellius inexplicably sacked the city, massacring its citizens. The Franks invaded in the 3rd Century AD- and the city was sacked and destroyed again by Attila the Hun in 451. Metz slowly recovered, and soon prospered once more: as long as humans lust, there will always be a market for grapes and wine.

Metz then proceeded to survive the middle ages through many sieges, battles, and attacks, but happened upon incredibly tough times in the 1800s: the city fell to the Germans in 1870, and a horrible infesting pest called the grape phylloxera destroyed the region’s grapes. Throughout history, when you lose a major source of your economic prowess, as well as a major crop, a few things generally occur: famine, recession, and poverty. A replacement for the grape was necessary to quell these horrors from being realized upon Metz, as well as Lorraine as a whole; and so, a small yellow plum from Anatolia was imported, where it thrived in the conditions of Lorraine, particularly in Metz and Nancy. Mirabelle quite literally means “looks beautiful”, if you take the etymology of the word; while there is no definitive evidence of why it was named this, I like to think it looked beautiful to the people of Lorraine, as a savior to the destruction of the grape vines and as a beacon of hope in a time of perennial darkness.

Thus it began: every year, around the time of the Mirabelle harvest, Metz would have a festival dedicated to the crop. Rows and rows of tents filled the local park in Metz, and a concert pavilion was constructed to hold singing events; carnival games were set up, food stands were propped up, and the festivities commenced. In the tents, you could buy an assortment of goods: pretzels, wines, juices, and arts and crafts such as handcrafted bird boxes, watercolor paintings, and comic displays; but most of all, you could buy almost anything Mirabelle based that you could think up. There was Mirabelle beignets, Mirabelle cola, Mirabelle gummies, Mirabelle candies, Mirabelle jam, Mirabelle juice, Mirabelle cakes, Mirabelle ice cream, and just about anything else you could imagine that Mirabelles could be used in: there was a stand specializing in Mirabelle fusion into Guinean food; there were Mirabelle floats twice the size of any man; but most of all, there were people proud of their city, celebrating themselves and their heritage through the means of the small yellow plum that not so long ago gave hope to the people of Metz.

Just as peaches represent Atlanta, Mirabelles represent Metz, and this longstanding tradition only epitomizes what my peers and I have come to learn: even the smallest of cities can have the biggest of hearts. So whether you’d like to call it the Green City, Garden City, City of the Dragon, or City of Mirabelles, one thing is for certain: we at GT-Europe are all lucky to call Metz home.

Metz Part 1: Magnificence

Written by Matteo Ruffo

It’s Pronounced Messsssssss…
All I knew of Metz before arriving to GT-Europe was that the city had a massive cathedral, as well as a soccer team that jumped between the first and second divisions of France’s professional league system. I expected a small town, a quiet place with pretty sites but not much else to do. Naturally, I was hideously mistaken.

There is much and more to do around Metz. There are the classic museums, restaurants, cafes, and churches that have become so attributed to European cities, yes; but there are also festivals, craft shops, a thriving nightlife scene, river activities, parades, gardens, parks, carnival rides, and a stadium where thousands support their beloved soccer team.

You learn upon arriving in Metz that it isn’t pronounced with a natural Anglophone “tz” sound at the end: it is pronounced as “Mess”. The city doesn’t have a pleasant history with the Germans, so any instance of Metz being pronounced as “Metz” instead of “Mess” is very immediately corrected. This is fitting: the people here are proud. They are proud of their city, they are proud of their history, and they are proud of who they are.

The “Green” City
So, what is Metz, and what is its significance? If you look it up online, the internet may tell you that Metz is the Garden City, or perhaps the Green City.

In Morocco and India, you will find the Blue Cities of Chefchaouen and Jodhpur, for their blue painted streets and homes. Udaipur and Toulouse are the Pink Cities, each for different reasons. Marrakech is the Red City, due to the color of its stones, soil, and the hues of the desert sun that shine so brightly upon it. Metz, where Georgia Tech-Europe is located, is dubbed by some as the Green City, named for the many trees, parks, and vegetation that grow in tandem with the imperial and classic architecture that line the city streets.

I confess, I feel as though “The Green City” is a misnomer. It is undeniable that Metz has greenery, but so do many other cities throughout France, let alone the globe. If you go to Metz, the countless trees and parks and plants will be pleasant, but it will not be what you notice the most. You’ll instead notice the enormous High Gothic cathedral, spotted with hundred of dazzling stained-glass windows, and dozens of mythical monstrosities in gargoyle form. You’ll notice the rows of Imperial German and Renaissance style buildings, built out of Jaumont, the dimmed golden limestone that gives the city its Medieval-blonde hue; and you’ll notice the dragons, the great green fiery beasts meant to represent Graoully, the legendary dragon of Metz who terrorized the townspeople for decades before being defeated, captured, and thrown into the river by the equally legendary Saint Clement of Metz.

There is a river front with views like something out of fairytales. There is a vast Imperial Quarter, dotted with quaint cafes and fortifications from centuries ago still standing as tall and proud as they had through the sieges and wars that passed beneath their walls; and there is incredible diversity throughout the city as well. You may find yourself in a cafe or a French brasserie one moment, then an Afghan or Turkish restaurant the next. With such an assimilation of culture, Metz is a city of people; with such an opulent history, Metz is a city of legend; with people with such love for their golden-hued city, Metz is a city of pride; with such glamorous architecture, Metz is a city of beauty; and with all of these things, Metz is a city of magnificence and tradition.

And luckily for us, we were able to witness one of Metz’s finest traditions firsthand in our first week on campus.

An Auspicious Arrival: Week One In Europe

Written by Matteo Ruffo

The Arrival

Before heading back to school, I imagine everyone’s feelings are the same: new ambitions, a plethora of excitement, and plenty of anxiety. When you are about to embark on a study abroad, all of those emotions increase tenfold. There is fear, there is change, but above all, there is the grandeur of exploring new places, meeting new people, and experiencing different cultures — a sensation that cannot be done justice by description alone. You must experience it.

After my previous study abroad experience in Barcelona, my excitement drastically increased for this one, but tendrils of uncertainty remained. What if Metz underwhelmed? What if the classes were backbreaking, what if the people were unfriendly? As for the trips, how would I manage? My semester in Spain had spoiled me: despite being just outside of Barcelona, I was provided with quick and easy access to a world-class airport. From Metz, the commute to Paris’ or Luxembourg’s airports would be hefty, and trains would be the preferred mode of mid-distance transportation. How would I travel? Where would I go? How would I budget myself? Yet as I lifted off on my flight from New York to Frankfurt, these questions and doubts faded into obscurity. All of my worries seemed to be far away- I was headed on a new journey, and there was nothing to lose. Adventure awaits those bold enough to take a leap of faith; and any study abroad experience is a leap of faith. I was determined to make the most of what Metz had in store for me.

Any first day can be expected to have its issues. From canceled flights, to missing shuttles, to misplaced luggage, and finally to racing through Frankfurt’s airport, we certainly had ours. After landing, I managed to meet up with some Tech students at an elevator in the airport. Together, we slowly but surely found our way through the airport, made it to our shuttle, and embarked to the Lafayette dorms next to GT-Europe’s campus. I personally fell asleep immediately after entering my room; we were all jet-lagged, all exhausted. It had taken most students nearly an entire day to arrive at GT-Europe; for others, whose flights got canceled or delayed, it took upwards to 40 hours. My trip was fine, however; I had no issues with luggage, and my flight was quiet and uneventful, and I was thankful to be so lucky.

Campus Life & Metz Impressions

Campus itself is slightly outside of the city, but a quick bus ride, provided with our unlimited bus pass*, can get you into Metz quickly and comfortably. My first true experience with Metz was short, but interesting nevertheless. I went into the city with a few friends, and after meeting up with more students, we walked to the Cathedral of Metz, had kebab at one of the cities many kebab spots, and enjoyed the greenery and light that combined to give a breezy, sparkling atmosphere to the city at night.

The dorms themselves are small, but private. You will have no roommates at GT-Europe**, but you will be right next to tons of students who are just as anxious and willing to make new friends as you, so meeting people is easy. A big closet, plenty of shelf space, and plenty of cabinets line the apartment, and a twin bed with provided linens rests next to a window. The school provides you a Eurail pass*, free unlimited Metz bus pass*, and cafeteria pass*, as well as your European student ID: elsewise, it’s really up in the air as to what you get in your room. Maybe you’ll get some utensils, maybe some bowls, maybe some pots and pans. If you’re really lucky, you’ll get a fan. Nobody got a trashcan or trash bags this semester, so half of us went to Cora to purchase some, and the other half waited until the donated supplies exchange to obtain theirs. Overall, however, the most difficult day is the first day – the unpacking, the purchasing of groceries and supplies, the meeting new people and acclimating to your new surroundings. No difficult exam or nerve wracking presentation can ever live up to the pressure of the first day; but we survived, and set ourselves up for a wonderful semester to come.

Lafayette Dorm Room (left), GTE Building Lobby (right)

The campus and dorms are separated by a roundabout lined with trees and vegetation, and a nearby lake is surrounded by soccer fields, outdoor gyms, and student centers, as well as the actual GT-Europe campus itself. Classes are divided into color coordinated rooms on four levels of the GT-Europe building: a cubic, paned-glass building that resembles a Rubix cube at first glance. Most of the classes can seat upwards to 50 students if need be, but none of my classes have more than 15 students, making for a tight-knit classroom culture that allows us not only to get to know each other, but also for the professor to get to know us more than just on a superficial level. Laundry is quick and easy; bed sheets and linens can be exchanged for clean versions every week, and the washing machines are within the dorm buildings and very easy to access. Groceries of any sort can be found at the nearby grocery stores of Auchan or Cora, and an assortment of restaurants dot the area around campus: such as Mamma Mia Pizza, a pizza place that specializes in sprinkling olives on their pizzas, a Southern barbeque place that reminds me of a parody combination of Whataburger, Wingnuts, and J.R. Crickets from the outside, and of course, a McDonalds. Ultimately, I prefer to venture into the city if I am eating out, as there are so many food options to be discovered in just one walk through the city.

Orientation came and went without a hitch: classes started, and the jet lag which had plagued us replaced itself with a new familiarity to the environment we were in. I took the next few days to get to know everyone, clean my dorm, and of course, plan the first of my many trips: nearby Belgium and Luxembourg. And so, our GT-Europe trip begins: starting with the Green City of Metz.

Until then, this is Matteo Ruffo, signing off.

*Subject to change by semester. Please check GTE website for most up to date information.

**Subject to change by semester and student choice of dorms. 

Last Days Abroad (For Now!)

Written by Cate McCoy

Hello from Atlanta, where I’m officially done with my summer courses and back home catching up on sleep! While I was homesick and excited to be back in the States, my last week in Metz made me realize that I will likely not have an experience like this summer again; my friends and I couldn’t help but point out all the “lasts,” like our last train ride back to Metz, our last souvenir purchases, and our last trip to the grocery store. This summer has given me a deeper sense of curiosity and love for travel, and while it’s likely my last time studying abroad, I’m reassured by what my mom would tell me when I’d call her, upset about travel hiccups: “It’s not your last time in Europe, Cate.” And what’s more, the world is much bigger than Europe! This summer at GTE has shown me just a small portion of the world and has planted in me a desire to see as much of it as possible. 

Lasting Memories 

To celebrate the small but incredible portion of the world that I got to see this summer, here’s a list of the top 5 memories and moments from my time at GTE. 

5 – Day-hike in Lauterbrunnen 

When my friend described the Swiss town of Lauterbrunnen to me, I immediately added it to my travel itinerary. During our visit, we spent a whole day hiking through the neighboring towns. After the first few miles, we took a cable car to the top of the ridge, where we ate lunch in the clouds and continued our hike. We built a snowman, identified the many wildflowers along the trail, and listened to the nearby cow bells jingling. We slowly made our way to the bottom of the ridge, getting back to Lauterbrunnen that evening after 12 miles of hiking. We enjoyed a dinner of bratwurst, returned to our hostel, watched Frozen 2, and were asleep by 9:30 PM, tired but content. 

4 – Swiss fondue in the Alps 

On another of our weekend excursions to Switzerland, we decided to cook our own meals since we were in a small mountain town with few restaurants. On our second night, we made Swiss fondue, as our Airbnb advertised that it came with a fondue pot and all the necessary utensils. I found a recipe online, and we went to the grocery store and bought all the ingredients. Everyone helped with the preparation, talking and playing music while we cubed the blocks of cheese and cooked the sausage. Despite my fear that the hot plate wouldn’t work, it proved successful, and our fondue was great! We had sausage, bread, broccoli, and potatoes to dip in it, along with the less traditional chicken nuggets. It was so much fun cooking together, and it felt more special to gather to eat something we had made ourselves. 

3 – Asamkirche in Munich 

Visiting cathedrals and churches is a popular tourist activity across Europe, and while I find them beautiful, many would agree that they start to blend together once you’ve seen a handful. That was the case until our trip to Munich. I had been told that I needed to visit Asamkirche, a Baroque church in the center of the city. When we visited, the façade was covered in scaffolding, so we had no idea what to expect. Upon walking in, I can genuinely say that we were all speechless. The gold ornamentation and detail was stunning, and it was nothing like I had ever seen before. We sat in silence for a few minutes, taking it all in. To anyone planning to visit Munich, Asamkirche needs to be at the top of your list. 

2 – Cliff-jumping in Cinque Terre

After a brief but brutal hike from Riomaggiore to Manarola, we cooled off with some cliff-jumping in a popular ocean inlet. Above the swimming spot, spectators crowded to watch the jumpers and divers. After staring down at the water for 15 minutes and backing out several times, I finally worked up the courage to jump from one of the highest rocks; when I came up from the water, I heard cheers and clapping from the crowd above me. I guess my stalling had drawn their attention, and though I was more than slightly embarrassed, it allowed for a great memory. After several more jumps from various rocks, we dried off, changed into sundresses, and went to dinner with wet and salty hair. 

1 – Sunset at Piazzale Michelangelo in Florence 

Though we only had a few hours in Florence—thanks to bus and train delays—we made the most of our time there. Before sunset, we headed up the many steps to Piazzale Michelangelo, a square on top of a hill overlooking the entire city. We were able to find a good spot to sit and wait for dusk. Performers were playing music and singing, and soon, people were dancing and singing along. Since it was our friend’s birthday, we celebrated with some tiramisu we had picked up from the grocery store. We were lucky to have a beautiful sunset that night, and I couldn’t help but feel that Florence knew we didn’t have much time there and wanted to make sure that it gave us its best. There was something in the air that night, and the contentment I felt as I sat there made that night the highlight of my summer. 

Last Thoughts 

Through GTE, I explored new places with new friends, challenged myself with intense academics, and most importantly, learned that I’m capable of anything. I was intimidated by the prospect of living in Europe for several months, and if I’m being honest, it took me a while to become excited for the summer. But once I arrived, the excitement overcame the anxiety, and I quickly learned that I had nothing to worry about. I’m capable of navigating train systems and communicating with others despite a language barrier. I can succeed in my classes while traveling on the weekends. I can successfully problem-solve when I miss a train or get lost. I can organize trip logistics, like booking hostels and train tickets and planning itineraries. I can shop in French grocery stores, even if I’m not exactly sure what I’m buying. Overall, I’ve proved to myself that I can do the things I thought I couldn’t. This has installed a new sense of confidence in me and has shown me once again that my anxiety underestimates me. While this summer has not been easy at times, it has taught me a lot about myself, and I’m so grateful for the experiences that it has given me. I’m especially thankful for the opportunity to share these experiences through the blog, and if even one person was impacted by my writing, then I’d say I was successful. 

Thanks for following along this summer, 

Cate