Take 5: The Big Why

This year, International Educator is bringing back a familiar favorite—our Take 5 column—but with a fresh approach. Each month, we pose a thought-provoking prompt to five members of the NAFSA community. These international educators, who represent a diverse range of voices and perspectives, respond with their insights, recommendations, and personal reflections on the myriad themes and questions that are facing the field.

What’s your “why”? Why do you do this work?

My "why" for working in international education lies in the transformative power of cultural exchange. As a first-generation college student, studying abroad was an impactful experience that taught me the value of stepping outside my comfort zone, embracing new perspectives, and realizing that the world is more connected than I had imagined.

I work in international education to create those same opportunities for others, especially those who might think such experiences are out of reach. I’m passionate about creating opportunities for students to step out of their comfort zones; immerse themselves in new environments; and come back with stories, skills, and a broader worldview. Helping students navigate and thrive in these life-changing journeys is deeply personal and incredibly rewarding. Seeing students come back with new perspectives and confidence is what keeps me inspired.
—Chelsi Colleton, Amherst College

It's a privilege to help advance internationalization in education. Each day, I contribute to creating opportunities that directly impact our students, faculty, staff, and locality as well as communities around the world. Our work inspires individual reflection and transformation through classroom learning, online engagement, and experiential opportunities. At the same time, faculty research, artistry, and scholarship have the power to improve the quality of life for people worldwide. I play a tiny role in this ecosystem, but the work matters, and the impact is real. That's why I love what I do.
—Chad Hoseth, Colorado State University

Global learning has been in my heart, head, and spirit probably since I was in elementary school. I clearly remember leafing through the yellow pages of a phone book and making my first long-distance call. It was to a random number in Babylon, (New York), where I was convinced that I would be connected to someone who had a different perspective on why such a beautiful city with a long, rich history was destroyed.

For the past several decades, my belief in the interconnectedness of people, places, economies, and the environment—as well as my trust in the power of education and my keen sense of responsibility to others—has driven my dedication to global learning. I truly believe that global learning—the process of diverse people working together to analyze and address issues that transcend borders and engaging in actions that promote collective well-being—is part of the ultimate purpose of higher education and that it is fundamental to fostering understanding, peace, and security throughout our fragile world.
—Hilary Landorf, Florida International University

I do this work because I believe that supporting global students and scholars is essential to advancing global diplomacy. The exchange of knowledge, experiences, and ideas across cultures and boundaries is crucial for fostering world peace, and I am grateful to play a small role in that effort. The international education advocacy we engage in today—whether within our institutions or at the federal level—will yield long-lasting benefits for generations to come. While I may not be the next great author or a chemist working toward a cure for cancer or an engineer reinforcing structures that keep people safe, I am a champion for the world’s greatest minds who are doing these amazing things. Supporting them—that is why I do this work.
—Abby Conder Lussier, Ohio University

I do this work because of the changes we help facilitate in students’ lives. I love my discussions with students about their insights! During these conversations I will frequently see a light come on in their eyes as they describe a newly acquired insight or something they’ve learned about the world. I can tell what they have seen or learned has shifted their worldview and changed the way they will experience life from that point on. They expand their understanding of the world and themselves through these experiences. I love the work that we do because we are facilitating life-changing experiences for thousands of students, leading to more understanding and empathy for countless others.
—Christopher Quinlan, Brigham Young University •