Title

Study Abroad

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Explore biomedical engineering from an international context through our summer study abroad programs.

Sections

Location: University of Galway
Term: Summer | Credits: Yes (BME coursework)

Galway is one of Europe’s leading MedTech hubs, home to eight of the world’s top ten medical device companies, including Medtronic, Boston Scientific, and Abbott. Ireland is the second-largest exporter of medical devices in Europe, producing 80% of the world’s stents and 50% of ventilators.

This program, a collaboration between Georgia Tech and the University of Galway, combines classroom learning with site visits to leading medical device companies. Students gain firsthand insight into R&D and manufacturing practices while living in one of the most vibrant and welcoming cities in Europe.

Take BME courses taught by Georgia Tech faculty
Visit top-tier med-tech companies
Experience Irish culture, history, and natural beauty
Study in the state-of-the-art Alice Perry Engineering Building
Enjoy Galway’s lively arts, music, and sports scenes

Photo of a group of Coulter BME students, male and female, standing in front of a lake in Galway, Ireland with mountains in the background.

Additional Program Info

Scheduling Constraints

Students must register for a total of 9 to 12 credit hours. Note some financial aid providers will require students to be registered as a full-time student, i.e. ≥ 12 credit hours.
Students require the permission from the program director to withdraw from courses.

Payment Schedules and Cancellation Policy

January 29, 2027 - Application deadline ($500 application fee applied to program fee)
February 8, 2027 - 1st payment of program fee ($3,500) is due
March 8, 2027 - 2nd payment of program fee ($3,500) is due

Tuition and student fees are due on the dates published on the Bursar's Calendar.

Students who choose not to participate after being accepted into the program will be subject to the following cancellation policy:

Students canceling prior February 8, 2025, will forfeit their application fee**
Students canceling between February 8 and April 11, 2025, must pay 50% of the program fee (i.e. $3450)**
Students canceling after April 11, 2025, must pay 100% of the program fee**

**unless their place in the program can be filled by a student on the waitlist.

Georgia Tech reserves the right to alter or cancel this program due to low enrollment, unavailability of a professor to teach a planned course, or other unforeseen circumstances. If Georgia Tech cancels the entire program before departure for reasons within its control, all fees paid by participants will be refunded. If Georgia Tech cancels the program before departure or while the program is in progress for reasons beyond its control, such as political unrest or danger to participants’ safety, only those fees that Georgia Tech is able to have refunded by service providers will be returned to participants.

Location: Multiple universities across Japan (e.g., University of Tokyo, Kyoto University, University of Osaka, Tohoku University)
Term: Summer | Credits: No (Paid research experience)

Program Details

Apply via Atlas

The Nakatani Research & International Experience for Students (RIES) is a prestigious undergraduate research exchange program between Georgia Tech and Japan, sponsored by the Nakatani Foundation. Each summer, up to 12 BME students are selected to conduct research in Japanese university labs for 8–10 weeks.

Students are matched with host labs based on their interests and skills, gaining exposure to advanced technologies and research methodologies. In addition to research, the program includes cultural immersion, language learning, and networking with Japanese peers.

Are you a Georgia Tech graduate student or postdoctoral fellow? Learn how to be a Nakatani RIES Program Mentor. The deadline to apply to become a mentor is March 11, 2027.

Paid international research experience
Work in top-tier Japanese labs
Explore cities like Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and Tohoku
Participate in cultural and social activities with Japanese students
Build global research and professional connections

Cultural Exchange:
The program also brings Japanese undergraduates to Georgia Tech in August, fostering long-term collaboration and friendship between participants.

The International Plan (IP) is a rigorous, degree-long academic program designed to cultivate global competence within the context of a student’s major. For Biomedical Engineering (BME) students, this program integrates international studies and experiences with the technical and research-focused curriculum of the Coulter Department.

Students in the IP will work closely with both the Office of International Education and the Coulter BME Academic Office to ensure their coursework and international experiences align with graduation requirements.

International Plan

Terms & Structure

Eligibility:
- First-semester freshmen: No GPA requirement.
- Other applicants: Minimum 2.5 GPA.
- Ideally for students in their first four semesters, though later applications are considered.
International Experience Requirement:
- Minimum of 26 weeks abroad.
- Can be fulfilled through study, work, or research.
- May be completed in one block or split across multiple experiences.
Language Options:
- Foreign Language Option (recommended)
- English Language Option

Academic Requirements

Study Abroad

Are you a Georgia Tech graduate student or postdoctoral fellow? Learn how to be a Nakatani RIES Program Mentor. The deadline to apply to become a mentor is March 11, 2027.

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