Did You Know?

There are more than 30 culture and nationality clubs at GT and they are all open to all GT students.

Spouse Resources

Please choose the relevant topic below to obtain more information:

Upcoming GT Events for Spouses

OIE Spouse Orientation
The Spouse Orientation session will be held on Tuesday, August 25, 2009 at 11 am in the Women’s Resource Center located in the Student Services Building, Suite 131.  If you are a spouse of an international student or scholar at Georgia Tech, please join us.  The Orientation will include information on special programs and services available to spouses and their families.  Children and family members are welcome to attend.

Friends Among Nations: International Women’s Club
Friends Among Nations organizes an International Women's Club. The Club offers free English classes, special programs, and a welcome brunch. For more information about IWC and our English program, check the Friends Among the Nations Calendar at www.fanatlanta.org or contact Adria Williams-Motiwalla at 404-376-2249, adria@ fanatlanta.org.

GT Housing: Welcome to America for International Students
The GT Housing and Counseling Center offers a special program to welcome international students and their families at the beginning of Fall term. For more information, please contact:

Maz Kosma Graduate and Family Housing Office, 301 10th Street NW
Email: maz.kosma@housing.gatech.edu
Tel: 404-894-2687
Web: http://www.housing.gatech.edu/

GT Counseling Center: International Spouse Support Group
The GT Counseling Center offers couple’s counseling, an International Spouse/Partner Support group that meets on Wednesdays from 2-3:30 pm, and various workshops throughout the year. For more information, please contact:

Rome Lester Counseling Center, Student Services Building, Room 238
Email:rome.lester@vpss.gatech.edu
Tel: 404-894-2575
Web: http://www.counseling.gatech.edu/

GT Women’s Resource Center (WRC)
The Georgia Tech Women's Resource Center welcomes students' spouses to participate in our programs and services. The Center offers programs such as a leadership conference, discussion groups, and graduate student lunches. We also offer several outdoor activities each semester to introduce women to sports such as sailing or hiking. An informal dinner group for student spouses will be formed if there is enough interest. Spouses are also welcome to spend time at the Center volunteering, helping with programs, reading books, magazines or using our internet/computers. Please stop by or call if you are interested in more information. For more information, please contact:

Yvette Upton Women’s Resource Center, Student Services Room 217
Tel:404-385-0230
Email: women.center@gatech.edu
Web: http://www.womenscenter.gatech.edu/index.html

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GT Facilities

As a spouse or family member of an international student at Georgia Tech, there are some campus facilities that may or may not be available to you during your stay in Atlanta. Below is a list of resources to contact in order to inquire about services that may be available to you.

BuzzCard
The BuzzCard is a GT identification card that students/faculty/staff use to access buildings, use the recreation center (CRC), and utilize other services. It can also be used as a personal debit card with pre-deposited funds to purchase products and services throughout campus.

If you plan to use any of the facilities listed below, you must obtain a BuzzCard first. Immediate family members (age 18 and higher) of a Georgia Tech full-time student, staff, or faculty member are eligible for a BuzzCard. Unfortunately, if the J-1 is considered a Guest, his/her immediate family members are not eligible for a BuzzCard.

In order to apply, you must do the following:

  • Visit the BuzzCard office to pick up a GT ID# Request application. The application must be completed prior to obtaining a BuzzCard.
  • Return to the Form to the BuzzCard office for processing (approximately 1 business day)
  • Bring photo identification (such as a passport) and $15 for the BuzzCard fee.

For more information, contact:
BuzzCard Center
Student Center Commons
350 Ferst Drive, NW
Tel: 404-894-2899
www.buzzcard.gatech.edu

Campus Recreation Center (CRC)
The CRC offers a gym, weight room, aquatics center, indoor track, game room, and other facilities for recreation and sports. As a spouse of a GT student, you are eligible to use the CRC. GT students who pay fees are eligible to use the facility at no additional charge. In order to obtain access to the CRC, you must visit the CRC and submit a Membership Application Form. For more information, visit:
750 Ferst Drive
Tel: 404-894-3910
www.crc.gatech.edu

Health Services
Health services are available to spouses if they pay the Health Fee. The Health Fee is $119 per semester. In order to apply, you must pay the Health Fee directly to Health Services. You must submit the fee to Health Services within the first two weeks of the semester. After two weeks, you may be charged a late fee in order to apply.
740 Ferst Drive
Tel: 404-894-1420
www.health.gatech.edu

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Resources for English as a Second Language (ESOL) classes

Atlanta-Fulton Public Library
The library system offers free ESOL classes at several locations in the Fulton County area. For details about location and time of courses, visit the website below.
Ponce de Leon Branch Tel: 404-885-7820
ESOL classes
Location of library branches

Dekalb County Public Library
The library system offers free ESOL classes at several locations in the Dekalb County area. For details about location and time of classes, visit the website below.
Decatur Branch Tel: 404-370-3070
ESOL classes
Location of library branches

Friends Among the Nations (FAN)
Offers free ESOL courses, playgroups for children, and an International Wives Club. For further information, contact Adria Williams.
Tel: 404-376-2249
Email: fan_westmerritts@hotmail.com

Language Institute at the Georgia Institute of Technology
Offers both part-time and full-time ESOL courses.
Tel: 404-894-2425
Email: eslinfo@conted.gatech.edu
www.conted.gatech.edu/English

Westminister International Friends (WIF)
Offers free English as Second Language courses, dance classes, craft classes, and more. For further information, contact Ellen Coble.
Tel: 404-633-8217 (home) or 404-892-9723 (work)
Email: ecoble@mindspring.com

Various Adult Education Options
Various counties within the metropolitan Atlanta area offer Adult Education courses, including English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL). For more information, please contact the county nearest you:
Clayton County Adult Education: 404-362-3810
Cobb County Adult Education: 770-528-6155
Fulton County Adult Education: 404-669-8083
Gainesville-Hall County Adult Education: 770-531-6417
Gwinnett County Adult Education: 770-962-7580

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Organizations and Volunteer Opportunities

Below is a description of various organizations that provide international programs and services in the metropolitan Atlanta area. The resources available may include: volunteer opportunities, public events and lectures, English as a Second Language training, and educational services. The listing is in alphabetical order.

AMIS (Atlanta Ministry for International Students, Inc.
AMIS offers many opportunities for international visitors including a city tour, a friendship program, a Thanksgiving and Christmas program, and a speaker's bureau. International students and scholars are given information about AMIS during orientation. For further information, please contact AMIS at:
Address: 3434 Roswell Road, NW, Atlanta, GA, 30305
Tel: 404-846-4395 or 404-846-4397.
Email: amis@peachtreepres.or
www.amis-inc.org

Association of Chinese Professionals
As the largest Chinese professional talent association in Atlanta, U.S., the Association of Chinese Professionals (ACP) is an independently registered, non-political, non-profit professional organization. ACP promotes cultural, economical, and technological cooperation and exchange between the US and China by providing services and opportunities for friendship, networking, and collaborations among its members and between members and their communities.
Address: P.O. Box 922436, Norcross, GA 30010-2436
Email: info@acp-atlanta.org
www.acp-atlanta.org/

Bridging the Gap
The Bridging the Gap Project, Inc. strives to improve the quality of life in Georgia`s ethnically diverse communities by forming partnerships that overcome cultural barriers and promote understanding between residents, law enforcement, educators, and other service providers. Services include the following: interpretation / translation services, working with at-risk youth and gang prevention, diversity training, orientation sessions, and English classes.
Address: 77 Forsyth Street, Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30303
Tel: 404-581-0044
www.btgonline.org

Center for Pan-Asian Community Services, Inc. (CPACS)
Center for Pan Asian Community Services, Inc. (CPACS) is a private non-profit organization. Its clear mission is to create comprehensive and culturally competent social and health services to counter-act problems that immigrant, refugee, and minority face. CPACS is in its 23rd year of services to Asian Pacific Islander communities in the Greater Atlanta area and the rest of the Southeast region in the United States.
Address: 3760 Park Avenue, Doraville, GA 30340
Tel: 770-936-0969
www.cpacs.org

The Carter Presidential Center
The Carter Center was founded in 1982 by former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn. The Center is guided by a fundamental commitment to human rights and the alleviation of human suffering; it seeks to prevent and resolve conflicts, enhance freedom and democracy, and improve health. The Center offers volunteer opportunities, as well as a variety of programs that are free and open to the public. For more information, visit the "News & Info" section of the website or email the Center.
Address: One Copenhill, 453 Freedom Parkway, Atlanta, GA 30307
Email: carterweb@emory.edu
www.cartercenter.org

Friends among the Nations
This organization organizes an International Women's Club in Atlanta. The club meets near Georgia Tech, and offers events throughout the academic school year. For more information, contact:
Adria Williams, Tel: 404-376-2249
Web: www.fanatlanta.org

GA Tech MOVE
MOVE (Mobilizing Opportunities for Volunteer Experience) is an organization at Georgia Tech that provides community service and volunteer opportunities. The organization consists of 16 committees that address a plethora of issues in addition to providing service opportunities throughout the year. For information. The website provides a calendar of events, service links, and description of the various committees.
www.move.gatech.edu

Hands on Atlanta
Hands on Atlanta is a non-profit organization that helps individuals, families and corporate and community groups find flexible volunteer opportunities at more than 400 service organizations and schools. Hands on Atlanta volunteers are at work every day of the year building community and meeting critical needs in schools, parks, senior homes, food banks, pet shelters, low-income neighborhoods and more. Hands on Atlanta provides a variety of volunteer projects including adult education and literacy, animal support, children and youth mentoring, disaster relief services, and environmental issues.
Address: 600 Means Street, Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30318
Tel: 404-979-2800
Email: info@HandsOnAtlanta.com
www.handsonatlanta.org

International Community School
The International Community (DeKalb County Charter) School provides refugee, immigrant and local children with a remedial to advanced international education at the elementary school level. The school explores and celebrates cultural differences in a challenging, nurturing and intentionally multi-ethnic environment. The students represent 30 countries and over 40 different language groups. IBPYP enables students to employ an investigative, inquiry-based approach to learning.
Address: 3260 Covington Highway, Atlanta, GA 30032
Tel: 404-499-8969
www.intcomschool.org

Latin American Association
The Latin American Association is a nonprofit organization that provides comprehensive transitional services for Latinos as they strive for self-sufficiency and an enhanced quality of life. The Latin American Association offers programs for family issues, housing, youth development, employment assistance, English language training, computer classes, and more.
Address: 2750 Buford Highway, Altanta, GA 30324
Tel: 404-638-1800
www.latinamericanassoc.org

Southern Center for International Studies
The Southern Center for International Studies (SCIS), founded in 1962, is a non-profit educational institution based in Atlanta, Georgia. The primary mission of SCIS is to internationalize the thinking of the American public. SCIS conducts conferences, provides information packages on various regions of the world, coordinates teacher training workshops, and provides information on international events. SCIS also offers volunteer opportunities and programs that are open to the general public.
Address: 320 W. Paces Ferry Road, NW, Atlanta, GA 30305.
Tel: 404-261-5763
www.southerncenter.org

* Information compiled by using websites of international organizations and references from Globalizing Georgia; Atlanta Ethnicity Atlas and Multicultural Directory of Georgia 2003-2004. Duchon, D.A., Hallisey Hendric, Elaine, Walcott, Susan M., Kart, Jeremy S. Georgia State University. CARA Publications. 2003.

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Day Care Resources

GT Women's Resource Center
The Women's Resource Center at the Georgia Institute of Technology provides a resource list for day care in the Atlanta area. For more information or updates, visit the website at:
www.womenscenter.gatech.edu (select "info" option on far left hand side of the home page).

Georgia Child Care Council
The state of Georgia has licensing standards for child care centers throughout the state. For information on the state requirements, visit the website: www.ganet.org/gccc. This website provides detailed information on state requirements, resources and referrals, and information on how to find quality child care in Georgia. There is also a link to child care provider databases to search for facilities in the Atlanta area.

Resources near Georgia Tech
The following list includes a few child care facilities near Georgia Tech. Please note, this list does not include all facilities or programs available in metropolitan Atlanta. For more information, please visit the websites listed above.

All Saints Day Care
(run by Bright Horizons)
Director: Norma Luster
Address: 644 West Peachtree (corner of North Avenue)
Tel: 404-267-4287

First Presbyterian Preschool
Address: 1328 Peachtree St. NE
Tel: 404-228-7722

Home Park Learning Center
Tel: 404-872-4572
Address: 1015 Tumlin St N.W

Sheltering Arms at Techwood
Director: Jackie Byrd
Tel: 404-523-4831
Address: 350 Techwood Dr. N.W.

YMCA
There are several YMCA locations in the metropolitan Atlanta area. For a complete listing, visit the website listed below. The nearest YMCA branch to Georgia Tech is: Centennial Place YMCA at 555 Luckie Street, Atlanta, GA 30318
Tel: 404-724-9622
www.ymcaatlanta.org

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Atlanta News and Events

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The AJC provides daily coverage to events in the local Atlanta area as well as nationally and internationally. Every Thursday, the AJC publishes an "Atlanta and the World" section inside the newspaper that details international events taking place in the metropolitan area. For more information, contact the AJC.
Tel: 404-526-5151 or 800-846-6672
www.ajc.com

Creative Loafing
The Creative Loafing is a weekly newspaper that provides information on events taking place in the metropolitan Atlanta region. The coverage includes theatre and performing arts, live music, visual arts, speakers, and other special events. The Creative Loafing is free, and can found at many local restaurants and shops in the Atlanta area.
atlanta.creativeloafing.com

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Resources for Public Schools

STEPS TO TAKE IN ORDER TO REGISTER YOUR CHILD FOR SCHOOL

(1) Determine if your child is eligible to enroll in the public school system in Georgia.
According to Georgia law, children must be five years old by September 1 in order to enroll in kindergarten and to enroll in first grade, children must be six years old by September 1. The only exceptions are:

  • Students who are age five by December 31 and who have lived outside the state of Georgia for the past two years and have enrolled in a public or accredited private kindergarten may enroll in public kindergarten in Georgia.
  • Students who are six by December 31 and who have lived outside the state of Georgia for the past two years and have completed public or accredited private kindergarten or have attended a public or accredited private first grade may enroll in first grade in Georgia.
In general, to enroll your child in public school, the student's parent or legal guardian must be a resident of the county or city of the school.

(2) Determine the school location for your child.
The majority of students at Georgia Tech live in one of the following counties or cities within the metropolitan Atlanta area: Dekalb County, City of Decatur, Fulton County, City of Atlanta. Each county and/or city has its own school system. For information on school locations within each county / city, visit the website provided below. For information on all counties in the metropolitan Atlanta area, visit the following website: www.atlantaguidebook.com/county.htm

(3) Read the specific requirements for the county/city of residence where your child will attend school.
Each county / city has its own specific requirements and process for registration. A basic description of Dekalb County, City of Decatur, Fulton County, and City of Atlanta schools is provided below. Please be aware that schools revise registration information on a yearly basis. For updated information, please visit the website links or call the phone numbers provided below.

(4) Obtain the necessary documents for your child to register for school.
Each county / city has its own requirements regarding documents to obtain in order to register your child for school. All schools, however, require students to show proof of age (certified birth certificate) and proof of immunization (2 health forms). The health forms may be obtained from the county health departments or a physician. For more information about Georgia state regulations regarding immunization, please visit: www.ph.dhr.state.ga.us.

Birth Certificate: In most cases, the birth certificate must be government-issued with an official seal. For children born in the state of Georgia, the birth certificate may be requested from:
Georgia Department of Human Resources, Vital Records
2600 Skyland Drive NE,
Atlanta, Georgia 30319-3640
Tel: 404-679-4701.
Ear, Eye and Dental Screening Form 3300: No child entering a Georgia school for the first time shall be admitted unless the child has a certificate of eye, ear and dental screening.
Immunization certificate Form 3231: Georgia requires students to be immunized against measles, mumps, polio, rubella, whooping cough, tetanus, diphtheria, hepatitis B, haemophilus influenza, and varicella.

(5) Visit the International Center (Dekalb County only) OR the school location that your child will attend. Take all necessary documents with you.

DEKALB COUNTY SCHOOLS

Website: www.dekalb.k12.ga.us

This website contains the following links (see far left hand side of main page):

  • Calendars and Menus: Dates of when school starts and ends.
  • Schools and Centers: List all elementary, middle and high schools including maps to the various locations. Underneath the subheading "School Centers" from this menu, you can select the International Center. This center provides information for all international students (see details below).
  • Newcomer Tips: Lists information for new students in Dekalb County schools including registration procedures.
  • Bus/School Locator: Allows you to enter your street address to determine what school your student should attend.

School Locations
The direct link to the Bus/School Locator section can be found online at: www.dekalb.k12.ga.us. Click on the Bus/School Locator link on the far left hand side of the main web page.

Required Documents

  • Proof of Residency: You must have one of the following documents: contract or lease agreement, a current utility bill (water, gas, electric).
  • Proof of Age: Birth certificate and Passport. The Birth Certificate must be an original birth certificate with a seal. If your child was born in Dekalb, call the Dekalb Office of Vital Records at 404-294-3783 to get an official birth certificate. If the child was born elsewhere in Georgia, call the Georgia State Office of Vital Records at 404-656-4901.
  • Report Card or Transcript: Need to show either report card or transcript of the last school attended.
  • Immunization Form 3231
  • Hearing/Vision/Dental Form 3300
  • Social Security Number: A Social Security number will be requested, but providing this information is voluntary. No student will be denied enrollment in the Dekalb County School System for declining to apply for a social security number.

Visit the International Center Once you have read through the information on the website and gathered all the materials, contact the International Student Center. The International Center is an intake center for registration, testing, and placement of all international students new to Dekalb County. Students classified as International are students who were born outside the United States and/or students who were born in the United States, but who speak English as their second language. Students born in Guam, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and on U.S. military bases may register at the local schools. When the registration process is complete, including program placement, students are enrolled in their home school.

International Student Center
Address: 3075 Alton Road, Atlanta, GA 30341
Tel: 678-676-6600 or 678-676-6602
Website: www.dekalb.k12.ga.us/schools/centers/international
Office hours: Monday - Friday from 8:00am-4:00pm

You do not need an appointment to visit the International Student Center. Be sure to arrive during office hours, and bring all the necessary documents listed above. The parent or legal guardian must be the individual(s) who enroll the child into school.

After your child visits the international center, he/she will be placed in one of the following programs:

  • A Regular English class combined with a regular schedule for students who speak good English
  • English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) class combined with a regular schedule for students with limited speaking abilities
  • The LAB program at Cross Keys or Clarkston High schools for students who are 13 years of age or older, with fewer than 7 years of formal schooling.
  • For students in grades 4-12 with no English speaking abilities, intensive English instruction at the International Center for three weeks or more.

Directions to the International Student Center:

From I285:

  1. Take Chamblee Tucker Road, Exit #34
  2. If you are heading west bound, turn right
  3. If you are heading east bound, turn left
  4. School is on left approximately 1/2 mile down road

I85:

  1. Take Chamblee Tucker Road, Exit #94
  2. If you are heading north bound, turn right
  3. If you are heading south bound, turn left
  4. School is on right approximately 1/2 mile from I85

On MARTA
The nearest MARTA rail station is Chamblee on the north line.

Summer Registration
The International Student Center offers ESOL classes for students during the summer. In addition, they may enroll students for the upcoming academic year. Please check with the International Student Center if you decide to enroll your student in summer school.

CITY OF DECATUR SCHOOLS

Website: http://dec64zdb8.web.aplus.net

This website contains the following links:
Menu on far left hand side of page:

  • Calendars and Events: Dates of when school starts and ends.
  • Forms: Under Student/Parent forms, you can download the registration form.

Menu on top of page:

  • Our Schools: List all elementary, middle and high schools including descriptions and contact information.
  • Curriculum & Instruction: Includes information about curriculum programs, pre-kindergarten, and special programs.
  • Parents & Students: Includes information on registration procedures, student services, bus schedules and school zones.

School Locations http://dec64zdb8.web.aplus.net/parents/html_zones.htm

Required Documents

  • Proof of Residency: You must have one of the following documents: contract or lease agreement, a current utility bill (water, gas, electric). A check or driver's license is not adequate proof of residence.
  • Proof of Age: Certified Birth Certificate
  • Report Card or Transcript: Need to show either report card or transcript of the last school attended.
  • Immunization Form 3231
  • Hearing/Vision/Dental Form 3300
  • Social Security Number: A Social Security number will be requested, but providing this information is voluntary. No student will be denied enrollment for declining to apply for a social security number.

Visit the School Location
Take all the necessary documents to the appropriate school location for your child.
For more information, contact the office of Special Programs at: 404-370-4400 ext. 2.

FULTON COUNTY SCHOOLS

Website: www.fultonschools.org

This website contains the following links:
Menu on far left hand side of page:

  • New to Fulton?: Underneath this menu, you will find information on Registration for new students. In addition, the Handbooks provide details on curriculum.
  • Calendars: Lists start dates and end dates for school.

Menu on top of page:

  • Schools: Provides list of schools and directions.

School Locations
www.fultonschools.org/directory_school.asp

Required Documents

  • Proof of Residency: TWO of the following documents must be present in order to show proof of residency: copy of home mortgage payment book; current utility bill (gas, electric or water); apartment lease showing name of legal guardian, homeowner's insurance registration/card; current paycheck stub; current bank statement; driver's license showing legal guardian's current address with one of the above; copy of sales contract; receipt to have utilities connected; affidavit of residency with signatures from the permanent resident and parent or guardian notarized with two of the above- The two additional documents should bear the name of the person signing as the permanent resident of the dwelling or apartment.
  • Proof of Age: Certified Birth Certificate
  • Report Card or Transcript: Need to show either report card or transcript of the last school attended. Students in grades 7-12 also will need copies of any discipline records.
  • Immunization Form 3231
  • Hearing/Vision/Dental Form 3300
  • Social Security Number: A Social Security number will be requested, but providing this information is voluntary. No student will be denied enrollment for declining to apply for a social security number.

Visit the School Location
Take all the necessary documents to the appropriate school location for your child.

ATLANTA PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Website: www.atlanta.k12.ga.us

The website contains the following links:

  • Parents & Students: Contains information on registration (under Parent's Guide) and bus information, and schedule announcements.
  • Our Schools: Contains information on specific schools, including school district maps and zones.

School Locations
www.atlanta.k12.ga.us/our_schools/maps/district_maps1.html

Required Documents

  • Proof of Residency: Utility bill or rent receipt
  • Proof of Age: Certified Birth Certificate
  • Report Card or Transcript: Need to show either report card or transcript of the last school attended.
  • Withdraw Form: Need to show the withdraw form from the student's previous school.
  • Address of Previous School: Provide address information for the previous school attended.
  • Immunization Form 3231
  • Hearing/Vision/Dental Form 3300
  • Social Security Number: A Social Security number will be requested, but providing this information is voluntary. No student will be denied enrollment for declining to apply for a social security number.

Visit the School Location
Take all the necessary documents to the appropriate school location for your child.