University of Tennessee: Top Research Opportunities near the Great Smoky Mountains

August 10, 2014

 

The University of Tennessee (UT) offers a vibrant learning and cultural experience to its more than 27,000 students, of which 1,200 are international. With 11 colleges of discipline, UT has over 300 program degrees for students to choose from.

 

The university’s engineering programs partner with organizations such as Duke Energy Company, Siemens Medical Solutions, Electricité de France, and Westinghouse; there are also close relationships with the U.S. Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). UT’s innovative College of Business provides unique opportunities to students from all over the world.

 

“It is not just lectures; there is a lot of focus on practical application here.”

- J. Ng Hartmann

 

Founded in Knoxville in 1794, UT is one of the oldest public universities in the U.S. A thriving university town of about 180,000 residents, Knoxville features a vibrant downtown complimented by 65 miles of greenway trails.

 

Knoxville is also home to many top businesses, including Scripps Networks, Regal Entertainment, and the Tennessee Valley Authority as well as the ORNL and the Y-12 National Security Complex. UT conducts more than $17 million in ORNL-sponsored research each year, and many local industries offer internships to students, allowing them access to world-renowned research.

 

UT’s Center for International Education helps students feel at home as soon as possible. Ms. Joann Ng Hartmann, who oversees the International Students and Scholars unit, explained, “We have walk-in advising services for students who have any questions about rules, policies, and things to do with academics, personal life, culture, and everything to do with being an international student on the campus.” Supported by its on campus English Language Institute, faculty makes sure to support each student’s individual path to success at UT.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

While many international students are drawn to UT’s well-ranked engineering programs, Ms. Ng Hartmann commented that the university’s computer science, food science and technology and business programs are also popular with international students due to the strength of these programs at UT.

 

As a research-focused institution, nearly 70 percent of international students are graduate students working on research projects. UT emphasizes hands-on learning to undergraduates as well. “It is not just lectures; there is a lot of focus on practical application here as well,” Ms. Ng Hartmann explained.

 

UT’s International House or “I-House” was established in 1969 to create a “home away from home” and arranges a variety of activities ranging from a visit to an “all-American” drive-in movie theater to campus cultural weeks that focus on individual countries. All students have the opportunity to apply to live at I-House or to partake in its tailored services and cultural integration programs.

 

Ms. Ng Hartmann concluded, “Any discussion of UT has to include its dynamic sports program. Even if our international students do not understand football, I tell them that they need to just go to one game.” She added that the experience of 102,000 cheering people on UT game day should not be missed by any student.