{"287851":{"#nid":"287851","#data":{"type":"news","title":"The International Plan: Preparing Students for the Globalized Workplace","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EEmployers are increasingly seeking college graduates with global perspectives and strong intercultural communication skills. To help better prepare our students for this economic reality, Georgia Tech offers the International Plan (IP) as a degree option.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EWhat is the IP?\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe IP is an undergraduate academic program designed to help students develop global competence within the context of their majors. Participants complete the program components throughout their careers at Georgia Tech and in tandem with their degree requirements. IP graduates earn a special designation on their Georgia Tech diplomas, ex: B.S. Electrical Engineering \u2013 International Plan. This designation signifies that a student has committed to developing the critical skills and qualities needed in today\u2019s global economy as part of their degree.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EHow does a student complete the IP?\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe IP incorporates four globally focused courses, foreign language proficiency, and a minimum of 26 weeks of overseas study, internship, and\/or research into the student\u2019s degree. With proper planning, the IP coursework may satisfy other degree requirements simultaneously.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EParticipants have a variety of resources upon which to draw:\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EThe Assistant Director of the International Plan (Jennifer Evanuik Baird) provides overall guidance and develops related programming specifically for IP participants.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EEach participating major has a faculty representative who helps participants develop a plan appropriate for that specific major.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EThe School of Modern Languages provides support to students as they develop their language proficiency.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003ETo complete the required 26 weeks abroad, students have two main points of contact:\u003Col\u003E\u003Cli\u003EStudents wishing to study abroad work with the Education Abroad advisors in the Office of International Education to research and apply for programs.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EStudents wishing to intern abroad work with the Global International Program advisors in the Office of International Education to identify and apply for overseas work opportunities.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ol\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EHow is the IP different than studying abroad?\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhile studying abroad may be a component of the IP, it does not end there. The IP asks students to take part in internationally focused academic and experiential elements throughout their time at Tech.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EStudents in the IP will complete coursework that complements their international experiences and they will necessarily develop at minimum an intermediate level of second language proficiency.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMoreover, the main identifying feature of the IP is the idea of \u003Cem\u003Ecoherence\u003C\/em\u003E. All of the components of the IP should relate to each other in such a way that each participant develops a unique outlook on their major from a specific linguistic and cultural context. Some students choose to focus on two different countries\/cultures rather than one in order to gain a comparative perspective of their major.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EWhat is the benefit for my son or daughter to complete the International Plan?\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe IP provides students a unique opportunity to develop a global understanding of their major while learning about the complex cultural, economic and social contexts in which they will work post-graduation. Through the extensive time spent overseas and the language requirement, students acquire the ability to understand and adapt to cultural differences, as well as the ability to work in diverse teams. The IP enables students to set themselves apart and establish themselves as young professionals who are ready to take on the challenge of the global workplace.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EWho can participate in the IP?\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe International Plan is currently available to students in \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/internationalplan.gatech.edu\/students\/participating-majors\u0022\u003E26 of Georgia Tech\u0027s undergraduate majors\u003C\/a\u003E. Students interested in the IP are encouraged to \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/internationalplan.gatech.edu\/apply\u0022\u003Eapply to the program\u003C\/a\u003E in their first four semesters of undergraduate study. However, more advanced undergraduates in participating majors who are interested in joining the IP are encouraged to apply and consult with the IP Assistant Director.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EHow can my son or daughter join this innovative program?\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/internationalplan.gatech.edu\/apply\u0022\u003Eapplication is online\u003C\/a\u003E and can be completed in a matter of minutes. Current students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.7 or higher in order to qualify for the program. Prospective participants are encouraged to \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/internationalplan.gatech.edu\/students\/program-requirements\u0022\u003Ereview the requirements\u003C\/a\u003E before applying. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the IP Assistant Director at \u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:internationalplan@oie.gatech.edu\u0022\u003Einternationalplan@oie.gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E or at 404.894.7475.\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":null,"format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":"","field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"To help better prepare our students for this economic reality, Georgia Tech offers the International Plan (IP) as a degree option."}],"uid":"27164","created_gmt":"2014-04-02 11:44:40","changed_gmt":"2016-10-08 03:16:11","author":"Rachael Pocklington","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2014-04-02T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2014-04-02T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"related_links":[{"url":"http:\/\/oie.gatech.edu\/","title":"Office of International Education"}],"groups":[{"id":"1297","name":"Office of International Education"}],"categories":[],"keywords":[{"id":"50811","name":"global learning"},{"id":"1394","name":"international education"}],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EOffice of International Education\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:internationalplan@oie.gatech.edu\u0022\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003Einternationalplan@oie.gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["parents@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}}}