1. September 4, 2016
I am very pleased to write this letterin support ofMitchell Beeland, who was my student in two advanced-
level overseas Spanish immersion programs in 2015, first in Mexico and then in Ecuador. GeorgiaTech's
prestigious overseas programs in Language for Business and Technology are some ofthe most rigorous
learning experiences offered by GT's School ofModern Languages. During these six -week summer
programs, students livewith non-English-speaking host families and are engaged in intensive coursework
in history, economics and social issues as well as professional visits and face-to-face interviews in the
Mexican business world. Since everything is in Spanish, the program presents linguistic and cultural
challenges even to the most proficient ofSpanish learners. Mitchell entered the program with far less
experience in the language than the other students. At the beginning I worried thatshe would not fare
well because ofthis, that she would simply be lostin the program's intensity. But Mitchell proved me
wrong. Rather than be deterred by herless-than-perfectcommunicativeability, she threw herselfwhole-
heartedly and enthusiastically into the experience;and ratherthan withdraw from classroom discussion,
she fought fiercely to get her ideas across, never shying away from discussion and debateon the
most complex topics ofsustainabledevelopment. Moreover, Mitchell displayed an openness and non-
judgmental inquisitiveness in cross-cultural discussions that one does not always see in someone her age.
I have a great deal ofadmiration and respect for Mitchell not only for her perseverance and positive
attitude but for the way she applied her learning to show appreciable language gains by the end ofthe
summer. I recommend her to you enthusiastically.
Best regards,
Vicki Galloway, PhD, Professor
Associate Chair for Research and GraduatePrograms
Director LBATMexico, LBAT Ecuador
School ofModern Languages
Georgia InstituteofTechnology
Atlanta, GA
4043850199