The post Trailgate: A sustainable tailgate for Homecoming appeared first on Technique.

As the academic year kicks into gear with the summer season quickly turning to fall, many students are on the quest for maintaining a healthy lifestyle amidst the frenzy of classes, clubs and social activities.

College life comes with its own set of challenges, from late-night study sessions to an abundance of assignments, projects and midterms to maintaining your health in the upcoming cold and flu season. As the leaves change color and the academic calendar fills up, the Technique provides a few of its tips and tricks to help students stay fit this fall.

Enjoy the outdoors

With cooling temperatures and the sight of bright fall colors, now is the ideal time to take your workouts outdoors as being in nature can offer a captivating backdrop for your fitness journey. Take a walk, run around campus, embark on a long bike ride along the scenic routes of West campus or practice yoga amidst the tranquility of Couch Park. You may find that the beauty of outdoor workouts lies not only in the health benefits but also in the connection you make with nature. With campus’ walkability, you will not have to go far to find your route.

Use a fitness app

Similar to language-learning apps, fitness apps can be invaluable tools to help you stay on track with your health and wellness goals. Apps like MyFitnessPal, Strava, Caliber and AllTrails offer guidance, tracking capabilities and daily motivation right at your fingertips. They help you to monitor your progress, set fitness goals, maintain consistency and even connect with other like-minded individuals.

Maintain a balanced diet

Your fall fitness journey is not complete without the proper nutrition. During the fall season, you can incorporate nutrient-rich, seasonal foods into your meals like apples, sweet potatoes, kale and pumpkin — all of which are packed with essential vitamins and minerals to support your overall well-being. Furthermore, do not underestimate the importance of adequate hydration, even as the temperatures drop. Staying well-hydrated not only supports strong performance and recovery but also helps to maintain your energy levels during your workouts and many busy days.

Stay determined

Remember that progress in fitness requires patience and persistence. Therefore, it is necessary to set achievable fitness goals tailored to your abilities and preferences, allowing you to advance toward your desired level of fitness. Celebrate each milestone along the way, whether it is running your first 5K, achieving a personal best at the gym or simply remembering to exercise for the day. Recognizing your accomplishments not only keeps you motivated but also reinforces positive habits.

Team up

When deciding to embark on your fall fitness journey, it can be difficult to stay accountable to yourself — especially when college life becomes hectic. Having a workout buddy can make fitness more enjoyable and help you stay committed even when schedules get busy. Consider teaming up with a friend, roommate or classmate for workouts or outdoor activities. Sharing your fitness goals and achievements with someone creates a support system that promotes motivation and accountability, making it easier to prioritize your health and fitness amidst the demands of academic life at while in school and beyond.

Practice self care

Amidst the hustle and bustle of college life, it can be easy to overlook the importance of rest and self-care. As you embrace your fall fitness journey, remember that adequate rest and recovery are essential. Incorporate rest days into your fitness routine to allow your body to heal and regenerate. Use this time to participate in self-care practices such as reading, socializing with friends or any activity that helps you relax. 

A well-rested and rejuvenated body is better equipped to tackle the challenges of both academics and your personal wellness.

Track your progress

Monitoring your fitness progress not only provides motivation but helps you identify areas for improvement. Try keeping a fitness journal where you record your workout plan, diet and how you feel physically and mentally after each session. You can also use fitness trackers and apps to monitor your steps, heart rate and overall progress. 

Sharing your goals and achievements with friends or a support group can provide an additional layer of accountability, encouraging you to stay on course and make strides towards your fitness aspirations.

Beyond the traditional gym workouts, the fall season offers a variety of unique fitness opportunities. Take advantage of these opportunities by engaging in activities that not only keep you moving but also allow you to savor the beauty of fall!

The post Tips and Tricks: Staying fit during the fall season appeared first on Technique.

Whether in-person or virtual, interviews are an important aspect of any hiring process as they help recruiters gain a better understanding of an applicant’s skills and interests. 

Amongst all the applications and resumes that come with the busy fall recruiting season, interviews are a great way for companies to put a face and personality to the name. 

To make the most of your interviews this year, consider some of the Technique’s tips and tricks in your preparation for a successful interview.

DO YOUR RESEARCH

As a potential intern or employee at the company you are interviewing for, ensure you are familiar with the job description. Research the tasks, duties, expectations and necessary skills associated with your position. This will help you understand what type of employee the company is looking for and how you fit the role. 

Researching the company itself is also important as it will allow you to learn more about the company’s values, work environment and company mission. You can also reach out to previous or current interns and employees to gain insight into their experiences working at the company by utilizing resources like LinkedIn and the “Find Alumni” database at gtalumni.org. 

Additionally, the Georgia Tech Alumni Association has a new initiative known as Georgia Tech Connect; this platform is an inter-Institute networking effort to promote connections between students and alumni. More information about this recent initiative can be found at connect.gtalumni.org/page/students. 

DRESS PROFESSIONALLY

Ensure you are looking and feeling your best at your interview by dressing professionally. Try on your interview outfit beforehand to avoid discomfort the day of, and always follow any guidelines your interviewer has given you regarding the dress code. 

However, a general rule for interviews is to dress one level above what you would generally wear at work. This may include wearing a suit or blazer with a button-down shirt and tie, a blouse with dress pants or a dress skirt of appropriate length and even a nice shirt with slacks or jeans if the
company is more casual. 

PRACTICE INTERVIEWING

You may not always know what types of questions the interviewer is going to ask. Therefore, preparing answers to some common questions ahead of time is a great way to arrive at the interview with a basic outline of how you plan to present yourself. 

Start by searching for general interview questions online and brainstorming your answers. You may narrow your search based on your major and the type of role you are interviewing for. For technical interviews,  many resources are available for practice, especially for those looking to sharpen their coding skills.

KNOW YOUR RESUME

Before the interview, the majority of the knowledge the interviewer will have of your skills and past experiences will come from the resume you give them. They may ask you to expand on your prior internships, jobs, extracurricular activities, class projects and coursework beyond what you were able to tell them in your one-page resume. 

Reread your resume before arriving at the interview to refresh yourself on the experiences and activities you have listed. Think back to what you accomplished in each specific role, what you learned from your work and how you plan to build on that knowledge in your new position.

After many weeks of improving your resume, attending career fairs and filling out applications, the interview is your final chance to show recruiters what you have to offer. It can be intimidating to talk about yourself and your accomplishments in front of industry professionals, but the most important thing to remember is to be authentic and genuine. 

BE YOURSELF

A company consists of different people with distinct perspectives, and they are looking to hire more than just someone with a high GPA. Talking about your passions and career goals will help interviewers know more about what you will bring to their company.

In the end, always remember that an interview is just one meeting that does not determine your value or worth as a student, future employee or person. 

Not every interview will be perfect, and not every company will be the right fit for you. Many students go through dozens of applications and interviews before finding their dream job, so it is important to stay determined and positive throughout the process.

Good luck, be confident and happy interviewing!

The Wellness Empowerment Center, Women’s Resource Center (WRC) and LGBTQIA Resource Center hosted the 2nd annual Every-Body Pool Party this past Friday at the Campus Recreation Center (CRC) Leisure Pool. It served as a kickoff event for the organizations’  mission “to create a culture where positive body image, consistent eating and self-care are the expected norms at Georgia Tech.”

The Technique reached out to Carli Barbo, a registered dietitian with the Wellness Empowerment Center, to discuss how the event was planned and executed.

“It really just came from a partnership with the Wellness Empowerment Center (WEC), the Women’s Resource Center and the LGBTQIA Resource Center. We really wanted to have an event where people felt comfortable, could use the pool with some of their friends, get goodies and all of that so it kind of blew in from that idea,” said Barbo.

At the event, attendees enjoyed a lively and relaxing environment after the first week of classes.

“It is super exciting and filled with energy. Everyone’s come here to have a day off on a super sunny day, so I think I’m quite enjoying it. Plus everyone is super comfortable with one another, so I think it’s a great event to meet and interact with new people,” said Maulishri Bhandari, MS CS.

In addition, the event allowed guests to take a break and cool down from the continuous hot weather.

“The vibes are great. I would give anything to get a change of clothes so that I can jump in the pool and play with them. This is the perfect environment for such a hot day outside,” said Vriksha Srihari, MS ROBO. 

Bhandari especially enjoyed the playful environment created by the staff and activities including a photo booth, water slide and a wide variety of snacks and free swag for attendees.

“My favorite part has been the [water] slide and the unicorn floaty. I also love the staff. They are super exciting and enthusiastic, trying to get everyone involved. So it is a pretty good event overall,” Bhandari said. 

David Torello, Senior Academic Professional in the school of Mechanical Engineering, was also present at the event, interacting with students by the pool.

“I like to attend student events because sometimes it’s nice to see faculty there and also free stuff never hurts, right? But really, it’s just trying to be a part of the community. I specifically love the Wellness Center initiatives, and the LGBTQIA Center does an amazing job with their events,” said Torello.

With the pool party’s emphasis on promoting body positivity, guests expressed feeling safe and accepted while they enjoyed the facilities.

“I’m personally a plus-sized person myself. I often don’t feel very comfortable in my own skin, and I feel conscious about how others view me. So it’s really nice to see an inclusive event where everybody can participate and be themselves without having the fear of being judged by others for who we are,” Srihari said. 

According to an article published in Forbes Magazine on the body positivity movement, body positivity is not just limited to one body type, and it is important to acknowledge all body types when encouraging discussion on topics like positive self-image.

“Body positivity is very important for all kinds of bodies. Even though I look very petite, I have people who have judged me for being this way. They think that I can’t do certain things, but coming here, seeing all kinds of people, I feel included,” said Nikitha Tamraparni, MS ECE. 

Along with body positivity and self-image, the event also advocated for overall wellness among Tech students.

“Obviously, Tech is full of a lot of high achievers that often put their schoolwork first. So within our department, we work really hard to support a student’s whole wellness and as a dietitian, part of that is obviously food, but then also movement. So this kind of starts to hit a lot of those marks of the eight dimensions of wellness, whether it’s the social, environmental or physical,” Barbo said.

In line with the event’s theme of fitness and well-being, Barbo provided a few tips to help students stay fit throughout the year.

“So movement is important, eating our fruits and vegetables is important, but also just eating every three to four hours. Honestly, no matter what it is, that can be more important than some of those other things,” Barbo said. 

Similarly, Torello left students with an important message on prioritizing their health and taking care of themselves.

“Please sleep and make time for things that you enjoy doing. This school will take up as much time as you give it. It’s a black hole in which you can throw all of your effort and resources and eventually, you will see those rewards but in the short term, you need to make sure that you’re doing everything you can to stay healthy,” Torello said.

After a busy week of move-in, orientation and Week of Welcome events, Tech’s class of 2027 was officially welcomed to campus at this year’s New Student Convocation on Sunday, Aug. 20, 2023. 

The event is held each year before the first day of classes, and all incoming students are encouraged to attend to receive their RAT Cap, T-Book and Tech pin in addition to gaining advice from several prominent speakers on how to navigate the next four years.

When asked about the importance of the event for new students at the Institute, Shivani Virani,  third-year NEURO and student volunteer at the event, said, “Convocation really shows the culture of Georgia Tech. Everyone is all sitting together, you are learning about how Georgia Tech works and you get to actually hear insight from a student who was just in their shoes a year before that, which I think is really awesome and something that everyone should experience.”

The ceremony began at 5:30 p.m. in McCamish Pavilion. Students and parents enjoyed a pre-show with interactive games, live music and performances from several student organizations before the festivities began.

The Yellow Jacket Fencing Club gave a memorable performance as they promoted their club to the audience, and representatives from Ramblin’ Reck Club took the stage to explain how students could showcase their school spirit. 

Additionally, the Georgia Tech Marching Band serenaded the crowd between performances with their renditions of Tech’s two fight songs, “Ramblin’ Wreck” and “Up with the White and Gold,” along with various pop hits.

“I really enjoyed the band playing because I personally really enjoy listening to the band’s music and that’s why I enjoyed pep rallies in high school. So, I’m glad that they brought the band out here,” said Agatta Betancourth Pollett, first-year AE.

President Ángel Cabrera initiated the program with some words of wisdom as he spoke about his position at the Institute and how incoming students could make the most of their time at Tech. Then, the students put on their RAT caps, signifying the start of an exciting journey ahead.

“It has been very fun at McCamish Pavilion seeing all of my other peers and everybody with their RAT caps. And I’m just excited to be part of this tradition I’ve seen for so long,” said Caela Thomas-Holness, first-year BIOL.

Convocation proceeded as the new Jackets learned about the Institute’s values from second-year CE and student speaker, Sultan Ziyad, along with other members of faculty.

“These events are important because [they] show students that [Tech] is a school that is serious about what it wants to do. That is how it is achieving above other schools,” said Gabriel Aca, first-year ME.

With an incoming class of approximately 3750 students, events like the New Student Convocation foster community by bringing students together.

“It is not many times that your whole class is all here together. It is also really cool to learn about the traditions and get to hear some of the higher-up administrative people talk to you,” said Jacob Hull, second year IE and student volunteer.

Virani agreed that the buzz of excited students created a lively atmosphere to celebrate the upcoming school year.

“It is nice to see so many new faces and see how excited everyone is for the new school year. Everyone looks pretty excited and ready to go for the school year, and it is cool to see how many people are in this incoming class,” Virani said.

Dr. Sonia Alvarez-Robinson, Associate Vice President for Strategy and Organizational Effectiveness at Tech, also assisted on the day of the event. She shared her insights on the program’s impact on Tech’s student diversity.

“I love to see how the Georgia Tech strategic plan is coming to life through this event because we’re starting to see our growth show, the diversity of our students and all of the things that we’ve been planning for our incoming class,” said Alvarez-Robinson.

Overall, the Fall 2023 Convocation was a successful event for students to get acclimated to their first year at the Institute.

“Convocation is really important because it is a time for everybody to get on the same page and it is a fresh start. It is a very important event for the students, but also it is great to be a part of this as a volunteer. We say our students are our top priority, and this is a chance for us to show that,” Alvarez-Robinson said.

For some incoming students, the decision to chose Tech was a natural fit, “I came to Tech because most universities in my state did not have the major that I wanted to do, which is aerospace engineering. And Tech has one of the best aerospace engineering programs. So it was an easy decision on my part,” Agatta said.

Others cited the Institute’s culture and the opportunities that they felt would provide as a deal breaker in the decision process.

“I  am from in-state. I chose Tech because I just like the entire history of innovation behind it, how it cares for its students, the opportunities that it gives you and it just has the major that I want and the
[graduate program] as well,” said Aca. While the Institute has a reputation for its rigor and emphasis on exceptionalism, students stillexpressed their excitement surrounding their upcoming four years.

“I think I’m most excited for the football events and sporting events, but I’m also excited for the people that I’m going to meet here, the connections that I’m going to make and all the buildings and the labs that I’m going to conduct research in,” Aca said.

For many Jackets, Convocation is their first introduction to campus. It serves as a welcome from the administration and general student body. The Technique would like to extend a warm welcome to all students coming to campus this academic year.

You did it. You graduated high school and are now about to begin your first days as a college student at Tech. Over the next couple of months, you will learn to adjust to your college life filled with new classes, opportunities and academic challenges.

As you make this academic transition from high school to college, leaving behind AP, IB and Dual Enrollment classes, you may need to implement a few changes in your study routine to better adjust to the structure and difficulty of classes at Tech.

These are some of the Technique’s tips to help you improve your college study system and work towards having a successful academic year at Tech.

Use Free Time Wisely

With fewer classes and more freedom than high school, you will find yourself having more free time as part of your day-to-day schedule. Take advantage of this time and incorporate it into your study schedule when possible. For example, if you have one or two hours between classes, take some time to review notes from your previous lecture or study for an upcoming exam.

Join a Study Group

Two heads are better than one, and as you venture into more specialized and challenging classes in your four years at the Institute, you may find that studying with others works better for you than studying alone.

Consider studying with friends, classmates or other office hour attendees you meet for the first time. Even if you prefer to study alone, having people to bounce ideas off of, to answer difficult questions and to just keep you company can be helpful.

Space it Out

While cramming right before an exam or quiz may have been effective in the past for some, it is not something you should depend on in the future. Many courses only give about two to three quizzes and/or exams with a greater quantity of content tested, making it more difficult to study this information in a short period of time. Focus on studying in short sessions over a long period of days or weeks to build up your long-term memory before an exam.

Stick to a Schedule

It can be easy to get distracted in college with no parents or teachers to watch over you and ensure that you are studying or completing assignments. Creating and following a simple study schedule can help with staying on top of deadlines and planning study periods throughout the week. Make sure to include time for breaks and other social activities as well.

Ask for Help

Remember that Tech is a difficult school, and that you should not be hesitant in asking for help when you need it. Resources such as Tech’s one-on-one tutoring center, TA and professor office hours and the Peer-Led Undergraduate Study (PLUS) program are always available for students. Visit www.success.gatech.edu for additional tutoring and advising resources.

Studying in college can be difficult to adjust to, but with these tips, an open mind and a little focus, it will be one of the most useful skills you will learn as a student at Tech.

Good luck Jackets!

The beginning of June marks the start of many things at Tech: students swarming campus for their summer classes, the hot sun shining brightly on Tech Green and brightly colored rainbow flags waving  in the air to celebrate Pride Month.

Tech houses many student organizations on campus that serve  as safe spaces for members of the LGBTQIA+ community, such as the GT Pride Alliance. One of the lesser-known queer spaces for Tech students is the Yellow Jacket Roller Derby (YJRD) team, open to students of all years and backgrounds.     The Technique sat down with Ashwini Tulpule (team name “Crusher”), third-year NEURO and  skater on the team, to learn more  about the organization and how it strives to serve as a queer-friendly community.

Tulpule, like many others on the team,  joined YJRD for its social and physical aspects.

“I liked skating on my own time, and I was looking for a way to be more active. But I’d say I primarily joined because of the community and because I knew going in that it was a queer safe space. I really needed this community since I didn’t really have a strong one, so I wanted to be around that and try that,”  Tulpule said. 

Tulpule explained that, even beyond Tech, roller derby is a welcoming space to members of the LGBTQIA+ community.

“Roller derby, as far as outside of Atlanta, is very queer-friendly. A lot of queer people are drawn to  it because it is gender inclusive. We work to make everyone feel like they belong, not just like they’re accepted, but like they belong.”

When asked about how to create a queer safe space, Tulpule noted that it is important to consider how one treats their members and how interactions within the community make them feel, often doing so by establishing clear social rules and boundaries.

“It comes down to intention and authenticity. A lot of places have the intention that they want to make queer people feel comfortable and respected, but they don’t quite know how to do that. I think a lot of places try to put it on the queer people. But with roller derby, we all have the intention that we need this to be a queer open space in this community. Everyone puts a lot of thought and care into how everyone is treated and how everyone feels,” Tulpule said.

At Tech, the organization works to create an inclusive and accepting environment for all of its members from their very first day.

“Any organization cansay, ‘I accept you, we love queer people, yay!’ but it’s how you implement that in your organization and your culture that makes a difference. So I think, for us in roller derby, queerness is normalized. I showed up to my first day there and they [the team] were like, put your name and pronouns on your arm. It’s very much not ostracized. It’s just accepted as a part of everyone and as a part of the team,” Tulpule said.

Additionally, the team holds several events throughout the year to promote community building and support other LGBTQ organizations. Tulpule particularly enjoys the team exhibition games and educational workshops.

“I really like our exhibition. Basically, we  split the team up and we play against ourselves. So in the fall, it was Halloween-themed, and in the spring, it was ‘blooms versus shrooms.’ It’s great for team building and to get that friendly competition in there. I also like all the workshops we do; we did one with VOICE in the fall and one with the LGBT[QIA+] Resource Center,” she said.

According to their Instagram, the organization’s primary goal is to ensure that everyone, regardless of their sexual and gender identities, has a space where they can connect with like-minded peers and feel comfortable embracing their own identities.

Tulpule concluded that, “Queer people are everywhere.  If you only have one or two spaces, that would not be representative of us at all, and it would feel like we can only exist in these spaces. There’s more to anyone than their identity, and it’s important to have spaces that cherish that.”

Tech’s Student Center Programs Council (SCPC) is known for hosting a variety of fun social events and gatherings throughout the year for students.

One such event that is greatly enjoyed by Tech students every year is GT Night at the Aquarium.

Similar to GT Night at Six Flags, GT Night at the Aquarium allows students, faculty, staff and guests to explore the aquarium’s many exhibits and attractions after traditional business hours.

SCPC is able to provide tickets at a  discounted rate, making it a more affordable off-campus event.

The Technique reached out to attendees of the event, including Akshita Jha, first-year BMED who happened to be celebrating a different occasion the same night.

“GT Night at the Aquarium was great as it was my birthday on that night so I got to enjoy it with a couple of really close friends outside of campus. And it was just a really good break from
academic work and just the rigorous academic life at Georgia Tech,” Jha said. 

Other attendees agreed that the event served as a much-needed break from midterm season.

“I had many midterms at the time, so it was a good time for me to go to the aquarium right after midterms were done. Just like a night out with friends was very calming and nice, and I think it was a good experience,” said Amrutha Balla, first-year CS.

Balla’s favorite exhibit was the Ocean Voyager, one of the world’s largest single aquatic exhibits which is impressive. 

“There’s a sitting area in front of a huge wall with glass and you can see all the animals. I think that was my favorite part because you can just sit, relax, see all of the different fish and just calmly enjoy it without having to walk around. It’s where most people were sitting that day towards the end of the aquarium night, just lying down and chilling out, taking pictures,” Balla said.

This year’s event also included the opportunity for visitors to watch either the Dolphin Show or the Sea Lion Presentation during their time at the aquarium. 

Jha attended the Dolphin Show and found it to be an engaging and informative experience.

“I’ve never seen any kind of a show like the Dolphin Show before, and it was great learning about how they train the dolphins, and just how they domesticate dolphins to essentially provide a conservative environment for them. I really enjoyed it,” said Jha.

Another new experience for many out-of-state and international students was visiting one of the largest aquariums in the world for the first time.

“It’s my first time being in Georgia, and last semester in August and September because of classes and all, I didn’t really get to explore Atlanta very well.” Jha said about the past semester. 

For many, the event presented a perfect opportunity explore more of the vast and diverse city that they may no know very well.

“I was just cooped up around campus, so I barely went off campus. So, it was great going off-campus and sightseeing in a way which I should have done the first time I came here. Going to the aquarium, I finally got the opportunity to do that,” Jha said.

In all, the event’s assortment of activities and focus on community bonding make it a fan-favorite among Tech students each year.

“Most of the time here at Tech, we’re just going on with our busy schedules with little time to spend with friends and things like that. So having a night out to go to the aquarium I think is great because you get to spend time with your friends, and if you have any family that came, it was great to spend time with family. Also, just strolling around the aquarium, you would see so many familiar faces so it’s like you’re catching up with so many people while
having fun,” Balla said.

Rows of tables illuminated by twinkling string lights lined the Tech Green walkways as the International Ambassadors at Georgia Tech (GTIA) held their annual Night Market this past Thursday, Nov. 3. Students enjoyed a night of global food, music, performances and activities as they celebrated the diversity of Tech’s student body.

“Georgia Tech has a very diverse community, both with international students, but also second-generation domestic students and just a variety of diverse populations across campus who are domestic students. And so having events where people can come celebrate those differences of culture really communicates a lot about Georgia Tech’s value of that diversity as well as just the different cultures that are present,” said Katie Patton, international student and scholar advisor at the  Office of International Education (OIE).

GTIA aims to foster community within Tech’s international student population through club meetings and various cultural events open to the Tech community.

“We have a lot of events like Night Market. We have the culture showcase in the spring, and there are a lot of events hosted around the year that showcase the culture on campus. Within the club, we have meetings that we attend in which we get to know each other. We’re like kind of a family to each other, so it’s really fun to see the culture on the campus and also to have it in one club,” said AB Alsaeed, second-year ARCH and GTIA member.

During the event, attendees were given “passports” that were stamped as they completed various activities at the booths  in which different booths represented different countries and organizations. 

These passports could be exchanged for unique sweet and savory treats towards the end of the event.

“It’s been really nice. We were here last year, but it’s been better this year, and it felt more organized. It was interesting to visit all these countries, and the whole concept of passports and getting stamps was cool,” said Rehmah Firoz, CRP graduate student.

Jose Avila, fourth-year AE, thoroughly enjoyed all parts of the event, especially visiting the different booths. 

“I’ve had a lot of fun going to all the stalls, doing all the activities and trying to look at all the flags that are hung around to figure out which ones I know,” Avila said. “My favorite [booth] has been the Georgia Tech Spanish Speaking Organization. They had a Jeopardy game about Spanish-speaking countries that was fun.”

The booths were run by several of Tech’s cultural clubs and organizations often looking to bring awareness to their respective cultures.

“Every year, [GTIA] do[es] this event and they ask a bunch of cultural organizations to be a part of it. So I believe we participated in this event last year, and I think it’s just a thing we do every year,” said  Brittany Lu, fourth-year BA and member of the Chinese Student Association. “For our booth, it’s really fun watching people try to guess the Chinese characters, and they’re really into it. It’s nice that we can teach them something that comes out of this.” 

The Office of International Education also operated a booth at the event where they provided interested students with information related to pursuing an education abroad.

“We cover study abroad, international internships and then international student services… What we’re focusing on, is giving out some information for students who want to go global or make their resumes more global as well as International Education Week. That’s coming up November 14 through the 18 in which we have events for the whole week that are global centered,” Patton said.

In addition, members and volunteers from GTIA enjoyed interacting with the attendees and contributing to the event

“Going around and seeing everyone engaging in the event has been fun. And being at the check-in table looking at everyone who comes and interacting with them, even if it’s just a small interaction, it just feels fulfilling that you’re doing something to enrich the culture and the campus,” Alsaeed said.

All in all, the GTIA Night Market proved to be a success as students ended the night with a taste of all the different cultural backgrounds that make up Tech.

“Being an international student myself, I feel like we need people to know more about where we’re coming from and know more about the diversity of cultures and backgrounds they are coming from. Once people find out more about these countries, interacting with people from those cultures is more interesting and fun,” Firoz said.

Bright lights, exhilarating screams and the sweet smell of funnel cake filled the air as Tech students, friends and family members arrived at SCPC’s Georgia Tech Night at Six Flags. With perks like free bus transportation, discounted admission rates and extended hours of operation specifically for Tech students, this event was not one to be missed.

Second-year CS major Niki Wells believes that it is important for colleges to organize community events like Georgia Tech Night at Six Flags for their students.

“I just think it’s one of those things that I guess you’d expect the college to do,” Wells said. 

“Like one of the benefits of going to college is being able to hang out with people in certain situations, maybe [colleges are] not expected to rent out an entire theme park, but colleges should be expected to put on community events,” Wells continued.

For several out-of-state students, participating in the event was a great way to strengthen newfound relationships and build community in the first few weeks of classes.

“Just being an out-of-state student, coming here and being with all these new people from various backgrounds on a fun night where I could take a break from studying all night is really awesome,” said Ethan Li, first-year CS.

Fourth-year CS Valeria Palacios enjoyed attending the event with her close friends after having attended her freshman year as well.

“Having these moments outside academics to also have fun has been really nice. It’s nice to be here as a senior because I came with the same people [freshman year] and [I remember] how they used to not ride the rollercoasters and now they’re riding them,” Palacios said.

On the other hand, CS graduate student Manikandan Lapasi was able to meet and form connentions with new people. 

“I have met three new people that I haven’t seen on campus before through a mutual connection. We just started hanging out and going on rides together,” said Lapasi.

Many international students, such as AE graduate student Aparna Ravi, took this as an opportunity to visit one of Georgia’s most popular theme parks for the first time. 

“It’s more of like a community-building event and it’s also a great way for people to feel in place because there’s a lot of international students and maybe they haven’t been exposed to the city as much,” Ravi said. 

“This will be a great way for them to explore, especially with Georgia Tech organizing it and the transportation.” 

Other students used the event as a way to unwind after a stressful week. 

“[Being here] is a way for people to cool down and get more comfortable,” said Lapasi. “Because everybody likes theme parks, it makes them feel like we don’t have to be so serious anymore. We can relax and chill for a little while. You see a lot of your colleagues also do that and it keeps you at ease.” 

Li agrees that the event’s main purpose was to encourage students to work hard and play hard during their time at Tech.

“I think it’s just kind of like an idea that it’s not all about work. You’ve got to have fun. You’ve got to let loose sometimes and just be with a great community of people. Just remembering to have fun while also working hard is really important in a college experience,” said Li.

For more events put on by the Student Center Programs Council, be sure to keep an eye out on studentcenter.gatech.edu.