MechE in Metz, France

"I chose to study abroad because it's a once in a lifetime opportunity," said Cason "Casey" Male, a mechanical engineering major with a minor in robotics. Male studied abroad in the spring of his junior year in Metz, France.

"I knew it would give me the chance to get an amazing, life-changing experience by living and immersing myself in a new country and culture," said Male of the experience. "I wanted to study abroad even before I got into college."

Finding the right fit for a study abroad program was a challenge for Male. As an engineering student, he wanted classes taught in English in a non-English speaking country. After searching the web for months, he found what he was looking for: the Georgia Tech Lorraine program. "I went to a satellite campus of Georgia Tech located in Metz, France, which is in the Lorraine region next to Germany and Luxembourg," said Male. There he took two mechanical engineering courses, a French class, and an engineering ethics class.

Another great aspect of the program was the schedule: three day weekends every week, which allowed Male to travel to 20 countries in five months. "The coolest thing I did was travel by myself," said Male. "Over my spring break I traveled to Corsica, a small French island where I met complete strangers who gave me a place to sleep, fed me and showed me the island for three days. It was really amazing and we became great friends."

Male gained a lot from the experience. "I definitely have a new global awareness and greater independence than before. I also have a completely new drive and curiosity to see more of the world and learn from it."