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The University of North Georgia (̨��swag) has entered a memorandum of understanding with Georgia Tech-Europe that will provide students international learning experience in Metz, France.

"Our new agreement with Georgia Tech-Europe expands ̨��swag's commitment to world-class education and prepares students to lead across borders," ̨��swag President Michael Shannon said. "̨��swag doesn't just prepare students for what comes next. We send them there."

Two main opportunities will be launched first:

• A spring semester at Georgia Tech-Europe will allow ̨��swag students to complete coursework for their leadership minor. Dr. Stephen Smith, a ̨��swag professor of psychological science, will lead this effort.
• A summer leadership experience for ̨��swag cadets will immerse them in an area with deep military history, particularly in World War I and World War II. Dr. Jon Beall, associate professor of history, will teach a course to ̨��swag cadets with Georgia Tech faculty teaching two courses. The courses will center on war, leadership, society, and politics.

"Georgia Tech-Europe is proud to engage with the University of North Georgia in creating transformative educational experiences," said Abdallah Ougazzaden, president of Georgia Tech-Europe. "This collaboration allows students to engage deeply with global perspectives in Metz, a city where leadership and history are brought into real-world experience through participation in an international program at GTE."

The city of Metz and the Lorraine region have been integral in European conflicts, serving as a strategic point between France and Germany.

"We are very interested in bringing our students and Georgia Tech students together, tied to the enrichment you can gain when you study a subject where it happened," ̨��swag Provost Chaudron Gille said.

Dr. Elisabeth Burgess, dean of the College of Arts & Letters, is excited to see the way the partnership will benefit students.

"We prepare students for the global stage. An agreement like this with Georgia Tech opens so many doors for our students. Georgia Tech-Europe has a long history," Burgess said. "The opportunity this provides for our students is something we couldn't create on our own. It's just going to grow in possibilities as we see other areas of connection."

In the summer, cadets will take 10 hours of coursework and visit historic venues and current political and military points of interest throughout the region.

Georgia Tech-Europe is near the Lorraine American Cemetery in Saint-Avold, which honors fallen soldiers from World War II.