International Affairs and Modern Languages (IAML)

This program prepares you for employment in international firms, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations.

Ambassadors

Blurb / Gallery Set

Jordan Artis

IAML (Spanish) | 4th Year | North Atlanta High School
Minor: Sports, Society and Technology
 
What activities are you involved in on campus?
Beyond the Ivan Allen College Ambassador Program, I am the VP of Finance and Logistics for GT College Democrats and I take part in the Vertically Integrated Projects (VIP) program where I am a member of the Soccer, Community, Innovation and Politics team. I am also in the Honors Program and GT Sports Business Club.
 
What internship, job, research, study abroad, or other academic experiences do you have?
Soon, I plan to study abroad in Argentina and Uruguay, as part of the Buenos Aires & Montevideo Summer Program in International Affairs and Business. Furthermore, the VIP team I participate in, which is the Soccer, Community, Innovation and Politics team, is currently researching innovative change-makers within the soccer industry and we are putting together a conference to highlight these individuals/organizations. 
 
What do you like best about your major?
The thing that I like best about my major is that each day I go to class, I am actively working towards solutions within the international community. A big part of international affairs is understanding the history of the world and then figuring out ways we can ensure not to repeat mistakes that have occurred. Having a part of my major focus on international affairs gives me this honor, which I love. Furthermore, being able to combine this with my interest in Spanish and the Global South is wonderful. I can learn international affairs in conjunction with a language, which allows me to encapsulate all of my interests.
 
What do you love about liberal arts at Georgia Tech?
What I love about liberal arts at Georgia Tech is that I am able to have the intersection of other disciplines like STEM along with thorough liberal arts courses. This creates a tremendous foundation for my college education. I can learn about economies of Latin Americ during one class and in my next I can learn about cybersecurity. This intersection is not only beyond interesting but it makes you a more well-rounded individual as your career search begins and life progresses. Additionally, the ability to be in a smaller college within a much larger institution has provided me with an intimate learning environment. Liberal arts at GT feels like its own family and community. Classes are not too large, professors are personable and students only want the best for each other. For me, my love for liberal arts at GT is based on the fact that it is not a competition for who can be the best student in the class. Rather, it is a collective coalition of students working to ensure that Georgia Tech, the city of Atlanta and the greater international community are better everyday.
 
As you embark on your senior year, what is ahead for you?
After senior year, my plan is to continue at Tech within the master's program. I actually have already been accepted as a BS/MS student so this upcoming Spring 2024, I will be taking my first two master's courses and in Fall 2024, I will continue these studies as a full master's student. So, I guess in short... after graduation I will be a graduate student at Tech working towards my master's in international Affairs! Currently, I am gaining industry experience as an intern at The Carter Center and completing my last round of classes. I am excited for the future but also moving through my senior year one day at a time and trying to enjoy every moment (even the hard ones).
 
As a senior looking back, what is one piece of advice you would recommend to first years?
My one piece of advice would be... it is not about where you start or even finish but what is most important is the journey along the way. When you start at Tech, it can feel daunting at times but just remember that it is a marathon and not a sprint. So, take it semester by semester, if you fall then get back up and keep pushing forward because it will be worth it in the end!

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Daphne Hall

IAML (Spanish) | 1st Year | Decatur High School
Certificate: International Certificate
 
What activities are you involved in on campus?
Greek life.
 
What do you like best about your major?
I love that my major combines my lifelong goal of becoming fluent in Spanish with an area that I have always been interested in, the way that other cultures and countries act and intertwine. It is super fascinating to see different countries' mindsets on politics as well as the evolution of world politics. 
 
What do you love about liberal arts at Georgia Tech?
I love that liberal arts at Georgia Tech is a tight-knit community of people. I know the people that I am in my classes so we can all work together to succeed in a class. I also love that I get to know my professors because many of my classes are not huge lecture-style classes so I receive more one-on-one time with the professor. 

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Kimberly Kassis

IAML (Spanish) | 4th Year | Atlanta Girls' School
Minor: Russian
 
What activities are you involved in on campus?
Within greek life I am involved in my sorority's DEI committee. I also participate in the workout group CHAARG here on campus and am a member of a Vertically Integrated Project (VIP).
 
What internship, job, research, study abroad, or other academic experiences do you have?
I have been a writing intern with the Department of Veterans Affairs for over two years. I also interned with the Latin American Association as part of a virtual study abroad program during the pandemic. Over summer 2022, I participated in the Russian Spring Track Summer Program. Summer 2023, I completed an internship in DC.
 
What do you like best about your major?
What I like the most about my major is the ability to specialize your focus through electives. International Affairs can be a broad topic, and the Sam Nunn School gives us the broad skills necessary to succeed, but it also helps us define our interests and skills. I also like that I am able to combine international affairs and modern languages into one major, since language skills support many employment opportunities within the field of international affairs. 
 
What do you love about liberal arts at Georgia Tech?
I love that Liberal Arts at Georgia Tech includes technology skills in our education. Besides the required computer science classes, professors work to include coding and in their classes and teach students how to utilize these skills for social science work and data analysis. Liberal Arts at Georgia Tech is a well rounded experience that is rooted in both the humanities and sciences, giving students unique experiences and skills that prepare them for the world beyond college.

Contact Kimberly