#gtliberalarts

[iamliberalarts]

BLOG WITH US THIS SEMESTER! Do you enjoy blogging and sharing your experiences as an Ivan Allen College student? If you’re interested then apply to be a GT Liberal Arts Blogger today! Sign up here: https://forms.gle/REAX85YJxMXKWT

[iamliberalartsgt]

Hello IAC!

My name is Jack Sheldon and I am a rising second-year International Affairs and Modern Language student with a concentration in French. I am originally from Atlanta, Georgia and have lived there for my whole life.

I will be blogging for the IAC this summer from the European Union and Transatlantic Affairs study abroad program, sponsored by the Sam Nunn School of International Affairs and the Coca-Cola Foundation. This study abroad focuses on the European Union both as a regional polity as well as a global actor. 

I am currently at Georgia Tech’s campus in beautiful Metz, France; in a few weeks I will travel to Brussels, Belgium the “capital” of the European Union as well as Bucharest, Munich, and finally Paris. 

I am looking forward to sharing my summer abroad with you!

- Jack 

[iamliberalartsgt]

The World’s Largest Museum

City One: Rome

Like other many other students who grew up in Metro Atlanta, I distinctly recall how significant Stone Mountain was to the curriculum. In 6th grade, I remember how, after a week of learning about the rock cycle, igneous rocks, batholiths, etc. we actually took a field trip to Stone Mountain. I was completely awestruck with the fact that this picture in a textbook had become what I was standing in front of. The intangible concepts that our teacher had taught us were suddenly evident right before our eyes. 

The Roman Colosseum (outside)

When I initially signed up for the Oxford Program, I was completely unaware that this same feeling- the astonishment rendered by learning the ins and outs of a landmark or an art piece in class and stepping out the door only to find it right in front of your eyes-would multiply tenfold in the first city.

The Roman Pietà- Michelangelo

The way our class is structured, our professor, Dr. Kemling will first lecture at the hotel, providing a brief summary of each piece of art or architecture we’ll see, and then lecture at the actual locations of each piece. Such a structure adds a new level of appreciation of what we see.

The Roman Forum

Seeing the Sistine chapel is incredible in itself. The beauty of Michelangelo’s frescoes is in surmountable and anyone from any culture could recognize that.

But to understand the iconography behind the work- the significance behind the poses of God and Adam, or why Michelangelo’s Garden of Eden is full of rocks, and whether or not God is really supposed to be shaped like a human brain- that’s what makes study abroad program like Oxford so meaningful. 

Mosè-Michelangelo

Outside of the classroom, our 4 days in Rome were full of adventures. I had been told that the entire city felt like you were walking through the world’s largest museum- that statement couldn’t be truer. In each little nook and cranny of the city, you would find something marvelous- whether it be something larger than life like Trevi Fountain or the Vatican City...

St. Peter’s Square, Vatican City-taken from the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica

or a hidden gem- a small bas relief on a wall or the ruins of an Ancient Monastery. 

Ruins of Ancient Monastery

It was these hidden gems that I truly love the most. Pedestrians would casually stroll past them, some stopping to add a cool photo to their scrapbook, some not even noticing them. Unlike the bigger names, they did not immediately demand your attention. They lie in wait for the right person to come around and pay just a little more attention than average, that’s when they emerge and their beauty becomes apparent to the passerby.

Via del Governo Vecchio

Now onto the clearly more beautiful and poetic subject- FOOD.

Here are just a few of the foods I enjoyed in Rome. 

Pizza

Pizza

Caffe con Leche

Salty Peanut Gelato

Caprese

Fried Artichoke

You might notice how tomato-heavy this list of pictures is. While that does reflect how important this Italian staple is to the cuisine, I learned quickly that tomatoes in Italy are a force to be reckoned with. Every tomato dish I ever had in the US immediately became sub-par as I tasted some of the freshest ones I ever had. Some other highlights included gelato, pizza, and of course coffee.

Combining the language barrier with small, local restaurants made for several humorous interactions. See below Jackson who ordered a “latte” at a cafe close to our hotel. In any American Starbucks, such an order would be mutually understood between patron and barista. Jackson, however, failed to account for the fact that “latte” translates simply to “milk”.

Jackson with his “latte”

In another faux pas, Jackson and Ansley ordered two slices of white pizza and got, well, two slices of plain bread.

Jackson and Ansley with their “white pizza”

I want to conclude this first big post with the first installment of what I hope will be a tradition for every city- trying the local McDonalds’s. No, this isn’t what you’re thinking- your average American tourist refusing to branch out. Actually, the opposite.

The way I see it, there are very few constants between cultures-even those that are only 50 kilometers apart. The cuisine, the language, the music, the art and architecture, the local demeanor, the tourist culture- every discrepancy, small and large, between cultures guarantees absolutely nothing to the ignorant nomad.

McDonald’s, however, is a phenomenon. You go to any major city in the West and you are guaranteed that there will be a McDonald’s. It is one of the only cultural constants with which I can truly compare each city. Unfortunately (or perhaps, fortunately) I wouldn’t give myself the honor (or perhaps, dishonor) of a McDonald’s Connoisseur, but I’ve been enough times to understand how the restaurant functions, the subtle taste of preservatives evident in each meal, etc.

I tried McDonald’s in Rome at about 9:00 PM. It was relatively empty compared to the bar next door which I found relatively interesting. 

McDonald’s

Walking in, it looked almost congruent to the one by Georgia Tech. I noticed quickly, however, that an entire section of the restaurant was solely dedicated to McCafe which included a plethora of coffee options as well as several desserts and pastries.

Having had dinner recently, i opted to satiate my sweet tooth and try a shot of espresso and a slice of Cheesecake.

Cheesecake con fragole e una espresso

As much as it pains me to say this, the shot of espresso was one of the most delicious ones I had in Rome. And believe me, my already-cultivated caffeine addiction along with a bad case of jet lag was a recipe for MANY espresso shots. The cheesecake had a strange level of freshness- something I wasn’t expecting from a McDonald’s at night, especially in a different country. I’m eager to see if anything differs in Florence.

As I write this, we’re currently en route to Florence- the city which I am the most excited for on this entire trip. Expect a long, long post next time. Thank you again.

Alla prossima avventura!

-Rehan

[iamliberalartsgt]

STUDENT AFFAIRS INTERN WANTED!

The Ivan Allen College is looking for a Fall 2020 Student Affairs Intern. See description of position and responsibilities in attached flyer.

Interested in applying? Email us your resume and WHY you are the person we should hire to [email protected]

[iamliberalartsgt]

Caputured this image walking on campus yesterday and it reminded me how privilaged I feel to work with GT Liberal Arts students. Your perseverance and drive never ceases to amaze me. You did it seniors! Congratulations!

[iamliberalarts]

Caputured this image walking on campus yesterday and it reminded me how privilaged I feel to work with GT Liberal Arts students. Your perseverance and drive never ceases to amaze me. You did it seniors! Congratulations!

[iamliberalartsgt]

Do you want to make a difference in the Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts?

The Ivan Allen College Student Advisory Board is looking for creative and capable undergraduate students to make real impacts within the Ivan Allen College!

The board works with Georgia Tech and IAC administration to strengthen the Ivan Allen College community, to enhance our on-campus presence, to build relationships between the students and faculty, and to give professors feedback on curriculum and programs. The board is also responsible for planning the Freshmen Kickoff and the REC networking event!

Please apply by September 9th at 11:59 PM at https://sab.iac.gatech.edu/join.

[iamliberalartsgt]

My First Week at Georgia Tech!

Hey everyone! my name is Emily Bowling and I was a summer first-year this 2019 summer, so i’m starting my second semester at Georgia Tech this fall. I’m super excited to share how my first week went!

Sunday: I attended church at Blueprint Church in the morning and LOVED IT. After that I spent some time with a friend at GSU, and then convocation!! this was a super cool experience for me because I grew up at Tech games and around Tech traditions so I felt right at home. When everyone put their RAT caps on, the stadium looked so cool, I had to take a picture.

Monday; first day of class! I lucked out this semester, and I don’t have class until 12 every day (except Friday i have an 8am). In the morning I stopped by my advisors office and had coffee and donuts with her to start my week off on a high note. It turns out that I have the same instructor for two of my classes so that’s super fun! In the evening I attended the Chorus Kickoff and learned more about all the different choirs at Georgia Tech. I plan on auditioning for the Chamber Choir on Tuesday. After that, I attended the Swim Club info meeting, then Swim practice that evening. Although my day was busy, I met so many incredible people and experienced so many new things. These small connections I make now are going to become great friendships later on.

Tuesday; class day two! I started out my day with some choir practice and then lunch at the student center. my first class of the day was “How to Build a Habitable Planet” and it was super cool; I’m super excited for this semester. I had two more classes, then i auditioned for the Chamber choir. The rest of my day was very chill, and i went to Target with some of my friends to get school supplies. Today was more class heavy, but a little bit less busy than yesterday.

Wednesday: I just had regular class today, but i had a great lunch from the student center food court! then i spent the afternoon buying my textbooks (crying) and hanging out with my friends before swim practice. Thursday: I walked to Barnes and Noble to buy some notebooks, and there were a ton of sales! Then I did some reading for a class then went to my classes. Did homework in the afternoon and watched the running of the roses thing. It was super funny to watch all my friends dance. In the evening I went to the WCF for their worship service and it was awesome. Friday: I woke up for my 8am lab but it only lasted 10 mins so that was kinda crazy. Spent the morning reading for my class, went to class, and took a nap. My friends came to hang out in the evening and it was super fun!

Because I’m a summer first-year, this is my second first week of college. It was very VERY warm outside, and I am super tired from doing all the things. Overall, I had an awesome week and I’m super super excited for the rest of the fall!!

-Emily