2026 Patterson School Spring Break Trip to Atlanta, GA

By Katie Braman

Each year, the Patterson School organizes a spring break trip to a hub of diplomacy, trade, or commerce, where students can engage in the day-to-day of what they are studying. This Spring, the 2026 Patterson cohort had the opportunity to spend a few days exploring some of what Atlanta, Georgia, has to offer. Students spent two full days exploring the bustling city and learning from esteemed individuals, including a few Patterson Alumni. Aside from the incredible opportunities and exposure, this trip also serves as an essential bonding experience for the cohort, faculty, and alumni that solidifies what makes Patterson graduates so attractive to the workforce. 

On the first day, students had the pleasure of visiting the Delta Airlines headquarters and learning from an esteemed Patterson Alum about the airline’s cargo division. Students engaged in a lively discussion on geopolitical implications, the history of Delta, and walked through the process of adding new flight routes. Next, students had the honor of visiting the Indian consulate with Patterson’s own former Indian Ambassador, Dr. Anupum Ray. This was an incredibly special visit, where students learned of Indian diplomatic processes as well as the delights of “food diplomacy”, as the consulate prepared a phenomenal meal for the group. Following this, the group made their way to the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office, where they discussed developing better economic ties between Kentucky and Taiwan. The Patterson School rounded out the night with a visit behind the scenes of marketing in State Farm Arena and participated in “Anthem Buddies”, getting to stand on the basketball court with the Atlanta Hawks and Orlando Magic during the national anthem. 

Students and faculty were up early the next day, starting with a visit to the Carter Center and Jimmy Carter Presidential Library, where they learned of the critical developmental work the center engages in, followed by a guided tour through the Presidential Archives of Jimmy Carter. Students then traveled back to the Hartsfield-Jackson Airport to explore the security, technical, and political challenges of operating the busiest airport in the world. This was followed by a visit to one of the airport’s cargo processing facilities, where students learned the differences in domestic and international shipping, which concluded with airport faculty showing off a spectacular view of the airport. The final day concluded with a current student, faculty, alumni, and guests mixer where students had the opportunity to speak to Patterson graduates and a few more consul generals about what it is like to operate in their respective fields. 

Overall, the trip was an incredible opportunity for students and faculty alike to see different aspects of Atlanta’s operations. It also served as a great opportunity for many students to get exposure to parts of the program and workforce they would not think to engage with otherwise. The current cohort is heavily saturated with security and diplomacy majors, and many got to witness commerce and development operations from a different perspective. The Patterson School collectively thanks our hosts and alumni in Atlanta for their hospitality, generosity, and the chance to see things from their perspective.