Reflections for a New Year

Dear International Educator readers: I trust that you had a restful end to 2023 and that you are beginning 2024 refreshed and energized. My hope for all of us this year is that we find strength and hope in our shared humanity during a time of great challenges. As a new year begins, I’ve carved out time and space to reflect on the past year, express gratitude for the lessons learned along the way, and remind myself of the purpose of what we do.

I am reminded often of the “why” of our work in international education, and being able to affirmatively answer that question is an important practice for nurturing the spirit, sustaining motivation, and recentering oneself and the work, especially in the midst of what at times may feel like a chaotic world.

Renewing Our Commitment and Adapting to New Ways of Working

Last year may be characterized as a time of postpandemic renewal when, as a field, we reemerged without being mired in COVID-19 measures. We were able to come together in person to reconnect, bond, and break bread. It was also a year of upheavals given the myriad of challenges we bore witness to or read about on a regular basis. Increased polarization in societies; geopolitical tensions; ongoing threats to the climate and our environment; major conflicts and violence and the resulting massive displacement of communities; and attacks on higher education—and, by extension, international education—were some of the threats that we had to contend with and that we carry forward into 2024.

In the midst of these events, our community of international educators is called to think and be in new ways. Let us renew our commitment to the values and promise of international education as we turn the page to 2024. I believe at my core that the antidote to war and polarization is increasing intercultural competence, demonstrating compassion, and combatting hate. We cannot and must not drift into despair; we must instead find hope in small and large ways. Our work is more important than ever, for if done at scale and in sustained ways, it serves as a path to a more interconnected, peaceful world. People-to-people exchanges have mattered throughout history and will always matter. The ability to know the “other” and understand with head and heart that the “other” is us and we are the “other” is vital to our existence and ability to thrive in an interdependent world.

Another major development in 2023 was the rise of ChatGPT, which ushered in a new era of technological advancement in artificial intelligence (AI).  We are learning about this tool and its functionality while also cautiously working to identify potentially necessary guardrails.

The ability to know the “other” and understand with head and heart that the “other” is us and we are the “other” is vital to our existence and ability to thrive in an interdependent world.

AI is here to stay, and we must embrace the advances and collectively work to mitigate the downsides of this technology—be it the biases built into the algorithms that power AI or other limitations. Being a student of international education, I believe in the power derived from knowledge that is informed, nuanced, and comprehensive. Facts do matter, and the ability to be compassionate, forge relationships around differences, and trust in various social institutions are key. These are foundational to human development.

My Practices for 2024

As we begin the new year, indulge me as I provide a few practices that anchor me and help me stay centered in my professional and personal life. I hope that they may be helpful to others.

1. The five-mile walk. One of the habits I picked up during the pandemic has been to consistently walk five miles a day. I find walking to be a wellness practice that offers so many benefits. I do not always meet that goal, but I luckily do so more often than not. I invite you to stretch yourself by finding a hobby or practice that provides you the space to think, renew, and grow. Taking time to fill your cup is important.
2. Each day, make time to demonstrate empathy, love, and compassion. As humans, we need to know that we are seen and that we matter. Aim to create a virtuous circle of giving and receiving. The world around us can be draining, so the ability to find and give energy matters.
3. Authenticity matters a great deal. How you show up consistently and the trust you build with others cannot be overstated. In a world that is often utilitarian, authenticity is in short supply.
4. Have an abundant mindset. This requires valuing partnerships over competition. The understanding that we go further together is essential.

Together, these practices allow me to stay true to the “why” of my work. I hope you have been able to reflect on your “why” and let that fuel and guide your work in 2024. There are many challenges, but we will face them together. Happy New Year!  •