Central Georgia Technical College recently hosted a two-week immersion program for students, faculty and staff from Tecnológico Antioquia de Medellín, located in Medellín, Colombia.

The inaugural trip for TdeA to CGTC is part of collaborative effort between both institutions to create study abroad opportunities to send faculty, staff and students to each other’s campuses for academic and cultural-centered activities.

During their visit to CGTC, participants were able to take an English course offered by CGTC Adult Education program instructors, and immerse themselves in the College’s environment.

The immersion program’s agenda also included an exploration of central Georgia and other regions of the state. Participants visited the historic Hay House and Ocmulgee Indian Mounds in Macon, Lane Southern Orchards in Fort Valley, the World of Coca-Cola, Georgia Aquarium and Centennial Park in Atlanta, and Savannah’s port, beaches and iconic River Street.

This immersion visit served as a continuation of CGTC’s Global Initiatives Program’s educational partnership with ACEIT, which translates to the Colombian Association of Higher Education and Technical Training. The partnership began in September 2013 when a delegation from ACEIT visited CGTC, and a group led by Rick Hutto, director of Global Initiatives, furthered the connection in a return visit later in December. The partnership between TdeA and CGTC is an ideal collaboration due to the similarities in the institutions’ program structure, student population, and the constituencies they serve.

With the success of the pilot immersion program and valued partnership between TdeA and CGTC, both institutions are eager to provide future study abroad opportunities for their students.