Dr. Sumie Song, North Park鈥檚 Director of Global Education, traveled to India last summer on a Fulbright educator grant to learn about recent trends, challenges, and projections in higher education.
Organized in collaboration with the Institute of International Education, the well-rounded itinerary included visits to research institutions, think tanks, and community-based organizations ranging from New Delhi to Kochi in the south.
Dr. Song witnessed firsthand a cross section of Indian schools where she reflected on her calling, purpose, and contributions.
鈥淥ur perspective is limited 鈥� in just one day I experienced 18th, 19th, and 20th century ways of educating students,鈥� Dr. Song said.
Dr. Song observed how other institutions support international students within a rapidly changing work environment, noting how American institutions can learn more about economic development. In India, Dr. Song said, 鈥渢here鈥檚 a rush to develop and expand to accommodate the growing number of students and to keep students.鈥�
Dr. Song is grateful for the experience in better understanding diversity, which she believes leads to a 鈥渟ense of responsibility for greater wholeness and unifies students globally.鈥�
