The World Wise Podcast

Season 4 of the World Wise podcast kicks off with a conversation about African international students, film-making, and storytelling! Until some years ago there were no personal narratives about international students or the complexities of the student and immigrant journey. But this type of storytelling is important because it helps add context to the numbers and statistics that we are all familiar with. Just this year, over 50,000 students from sub-Saharan Africa studied in the U.S., a record increase over past years. But how much do we really know about the lives and stories behind those numbers? In this episode we go behind the scenes of the lives of African students in the U.S. with filmmaker, Arthur Musah, to discuss his latest and award-winning film, Brief Tender Light. Episode themes: Arthur’s vision for Brief Tender Light and why it is a film that tells a “modern African story” Arthur’s family's history of studying abroad and how mobility patterns and the African diaspora have shifted over time The film’s themes of youthful idealism and the sense of responsibility that international students carry with them, and how this evolves as they navigate their journeys as immigrants How African international students navigate race and their own identities in the U.S. How we change once we leave home and how the experience of studying abroad is both about learning, unlearning, and re-learning The distance from home, the overwhelming disconnection, and the emotional, social, and psychological toll that international students pay in exchange for pursuing their American Dream and how this affects their mental health and well-being  Arthur’s journey from being an engineering student to becoming an artist and filmmaker. With almost half the world’s young talent coming from Africa by 2030, what Arthur wants American colleges and universities to take away from his film. Episode Resources Learn about the PBS release of Brief Tender Light Follow ⁠⁠Arthur and his film company on LinkedIn, X and Instagram  Listen to these episodes about Africa and African students, and about film-making: episode 7; episode 13; episode 27; and episode 10  My book:  ⁠⁠America Calling: A Foreign Student in a Country of Possibility Sign up for ⁠⁠America Calling: my take on the intersection of education, culture and migration⁠⁠ Connect with me: ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠, ⁠Instagram

In this episode, I return to one of my favorite topics: gender issues except that this time around, we focus on global women’s health issues and particularly reproductive issues. This episode’s guest is very special because she has not only impacted the lives of thousands of girls and women around the world, but she is also a former international student from India. Zubaida Bai is the president and CEO of Grameen Foundation, headquartered in Washington, DC. She is a social entrepreneur and women's health advocate with more than 18 years in the social impact space. She is the founder of Ayzh®, a social enterprise based in India that designs vital healthcare products to improve the health and happiness of women and girls across their reproductive lives. Bai has been recognized as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum, a Maternal Health Champion by Ashoka, a TED Fellow/ Speaker, and named a United Nations SDG 3 Pioneer by the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC). She is a Visiting Social Innovator with Harvard University’s Social Innovative Change Initiative (SICI) and a member of the Governing Body at SEMA (Shaping Equitable Market Access) for Reproductive Health. Episode Themes: Zubaida’s journey as a first-generation college student in India to becoming an international student  How Zubaida’s international education experience in Sweden and the US transformed her and her thinking around women’s health issues Connecting the dots between engineering and social entrepreneurship What Zubaida’s leadership of the Grameen Foundation and her hopes for leading the organization into its next 25 years and beyond In addition to health, what are the most pressing issues that we need to address when it comes to girls and women in Global South countries? Zubaida’s views on the current global situation around women’s reproductive rights Zubaid’s experiences as a woman leader from the Global South and her advice for young women embarking on the path of social entrepreneurship and who want to create social impact Episode Resources: Follow ⁠⁠Zubaida on LinkedIn  Listen to Zubaida’s TED Talk here. My book:  ⁠⁠America Calling: A Foreign Student in a Country of Possibility Sign up for ⁠⁠America Calling: my take on the intersection of education, culture and migration⁠⁠ Connect with me: ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠, ⁠⁠X⁠⁠, ⁠Instagram

If you’re someone who has aspired to study in the U.S. then you’re probably familiar with the range of admissions tests you likely had to consider or take. These might include the TOEFL, or the Test of English as a Foreign Language, to assess someone’s English proficiency for university study, immigration and more, and that is accepted by more than 10,000 organizations in 130 countries, including top English-speaking universities worldwide. More than 30 million people have taken the TOEFL test. And then there is the GRE test, the world’s most widely used admissions test for graduate and professional school. Just over 341,000 people took the GRE admissions test between 2021 and 2022 and 75% of them were outside the U.S., and many of them from India. This episode’s guest is Rohit Sharma, Senior Vice President for Global Higher Education and Workskills at ETS—or the Educational Testing Service—the U.S.-based organization that conducts these important tests. Rohit is himself a former international student from India and now oversees ETS’s engagement in international higher education and also its new focus on upskilling and skill development for adult workers. Prior to joining ETS in 2022, Rohit has held senior leadership roles across higher education, training, certification and workforce development sectors, with over two decades of international experience covering more than 25 countries and jurisdictions. In today’s conversation we talk about the value of international students and why ETS is at the forefront of fostering student mobility; how tests like the GRE aim to be responsive to a diverse and global student population; and yes—the topic on everyone’s minds these days—how AI will affect testing and assessment. Episode Themes: Rohit’s own journey of taking ETS tests when coming to the U.S. to study and now coming full circle to work for the world’s largest testing and assessment organization Why ETS is focused on keeping the door open to international students in the U.S. How ETS ensures that its tests are fair, unbiased, and culturally sensitive for test-takers from diverse backgrounds ETS’s new focus on  upskilling and reskilling adults and why it matters How AI will affect the future of testing and assessment When it comes to higher education or jobs, what excites Rohit the most about this particular moment in time Episode Resources: Follow ⁠Rohit⁠ on LinkedIn Check out MPOWER Financing's ⁠Social Impact Report⁠ My book:  ⁠America Calling: A Foreign Student in a Country of Possibilit⁠y Sign up for ⁠America Calling: my take on the intersection of education, culture and migration⁠ Connect with me: ⁠LinkedIn⁠, ⁠Twitter⁠, Instagram Episode sponsor: This episode was made possible by the generous support of ⁠MPOWER Financing⁠ which provides no-cosigner loans and scholarships for international, DACA, and refugee students. Headquartered in Washington DC, MPOWER has to date helped tens of thousands of students fund their educational dreams and journeys.

In this episode we explore the continuing global gender gap in STEM fields when it comes to studying engineering and pursuing STEM careers. Globally, women make up only 28% of the workforce in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) and it doesn’t get any better at the country level: in the U.S., the figure stands at only 24%; at 17% in the European Union; 16% in Japan; and 14% in India. This episode’s guest is Parimala (“Pari”) Lennartz, VP of Engineering at MPOWER Financing which is also the generous sponsor of this episode. Pari is a widely recognized woman leader in the Financial Technology (Fintech) industry, was recently named to a list of top women in the Fintech industry by The Fintech Times, and is also a vocal advocate for increasing the number of girls and women who pursue STEM fields. Episode themes: Pari’s personal and professional journey as a STEM student in India, to coming to the U.S. as an international student, and to eventually becoming the VP of Engineering at a major Fintech firm The persistent “leaky pipeline” due to which women continue to drop out of engineering education and careers How MPOWER’s loan model is having a unique impact on female international students from Global South countries When it comes to STEM education and careers, do women in emerging markets or Global South countries face more challenges than their counterparts in the U.S.? As a top woman leader in the Fintech industry, what Pari is doing to advance gender parity in STEM, and her excellent educational and professional advice for girls and women who dream of being scientists and engineers Episode Resources: Follow Pari and MPOWER Financing on LinkedIn Read Pari’s op-ed in CEO World Magazine Listen to Episode 12 with Gloria Blackwell of AAUW and Episode 14 with Fereshteh Forough of Code to Inspire Check out MPOWER Financing's Social Impact Report My book:  America Calling: A Foreign Student in a Country of Possibility Sign up for America Calling: my take on the intersection of education, culture and migration Connect with me: LinkedIn, Twitter Episode sponsor: This episode was made possible by the generous support of MPOWER Financing which provides no-cosigner loans and scholarships for international, DACA, and refugee students. Headquartered in Washington DC, MPOWER has to date helped tens of thousands of students fund their educational dreams and journeys.

The World Wise podcast is back after a brief summer break! This episode focuses on student migration and mobility, a topic that we have often covered on this show. Today's guest, Dr. Stephanie K. Kim, offers a very different perspective, and in this conversation with her we move between Berkeley, California, and Seoul in South Korea to better understand how international students—mainly South Korean students—make choices about their studies, but also how universities themselves help shape these choices and pathways. Stephanie is an Associate Professor at Georgetown University in Washington DC where she specializes in comparative and international higher education and researches and writes about international students, higher education reform, and higher education policy in the United States and countries in Asia. She has just published a new book which is the theme of this episode. Episode Themes: The journey between Berkeley and Seoul and how these two cities figured in Stephanie's journey as a scholar of student mobility How Stephanie's new book, Constructing Student Mobility: How Universities Recruit Students and Shape Pathways Between Berkeley and Seoul, offers a new angle to the burgeoning field of student mobility research Stephanie's journey as an author and on navigating the publishing journey Understanding Korean international students--the third largest group of international students in the U.S.--and how their interests have evolved over time and how the pursuit of a global education begins early for many Korean students and families. How Stephanie's personal journey as a Korean American has shaped the work that she does as a scholar and researcher of student mobility Episode Resources: Follow Stephanie on Twitter and LinkedIn Listen to Episode 24 with Professor Yingyi Ma Check out MPOWER Financing's Social Impact Report My book:  America Calling: A Foreign Student in a Country of Possibility Sign up for America Calling: my take on the intersection of education, culture and migration Connect with me: LinkedIn, Twitter Episode sponsor: This episode was made possible by the generous support of MPOWER Financing which provides no-cosigner loans and scholarships for international, DACA, and refugee students. Headquartered in Washington DC, MPOWER has to date helped tens of thousands of students fund their educational dreams and journeys.

Why are immigrants drawn to entrepreneurship? The statistics are quite staggering: according to the National Foundation for American Policy (NFAP), immigrants have launched over half of America’s startup companies valued at $1 billion or more, and almost 80% of America’s unicorn companies (privately-held, billion-dollar companies) have an immigrant founder or an immigrant in a key leadership role. This episode’s guest is Mike P. Davis, successful technology serial entrepreneur-turned-investor who is passionate about education, financial well-being, and bridging the gender- and immigrant-wealth gaps. The episode draws upon Mike’s own immigrant background and focuses on why immigrants make excellent entrepreneurs and why we should invest in them and their ideas. Episode Themes: Mike’s early global personal and educational journey and what sparked his interest in dabbling in entrepreneurial projects. Mike’s reflections on his transformational educational journey at INSEAD in France Why Mike has been inspired to found companies like MPOWER and Olive Tree Ridge Opportunities and barriers for immigrant and women entrepreneurs in the U.S. Why immigrants make for great entrepreneurs and why so many businesses are immigrant-owned Mike’s top advice for immigrant entrepreneurs Episode Resources: Mike's interview in Authority Magazine Follow Mike on Twitter and LinkedIn Listen to Episode 19 with Ronit Avni Check out MPOWER Financing's Social Impact Report My book:  America Calling: A Foreign Student in a Country of Possibility Sign up for America Calling: my take on the intersection of education, culture and migration Connect with me: LinkedIn, Twitter Episode sponsor: This episode was made possible by the generous support of MPOWER Financing which provides no-cosigner loans and scholarships for international, DACA, and refugee students. Headquartered in Washington DC, MPOWER has to date helped tens of thousands of students fund their educational dreams and journeys.

Research shows that children and youth who are exposed to global ideas at a younger age are more likely to be globally engaged and to study abroad as adults. Shaping global mindsets and global citizenship needs to begin early. This episode’s guest is David Janes, Executive Director of the Global Citizens Initiative, a nonprofit whose programs and resources empower young global citizens around the world. David has had a long career in international education, global affairs,and philanthropy, with a focus on Japan and Asia. He came to GCI after serving as Chief Advancement Officer at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University(OIST) and President and CEO of the OIST Foundation, which has a strong focus on education. This episode also focuses on David’s experience as a seasoned nonprofit founder and leader. Episode themes: The Global Citizens Initiative model and its grounding in research from Project Zero and the Harvard Graduate School of Education David’s early exposure to global thinking in high school and how this led to a career in U.S.-Japan relations David’s passion for building bridges between the U.S. and Asia through education and how this led him to found EngageAsia, a U.S.-based nonprofit that fosters cross-cultural understanding and builds community throughout the Asia Pacific region through innovative education programs Key challenges and opportunities that nonprofit leaders face during this post-pandemic phase      Lessons and advice for those wanting to launch and lead nonprofit organizations Episode resources: Toward the 21st Century: Education for a changing world, by Edwin O. Reischauer Follow David on LinkedIn and GCI on LinkedIn During Asian American Heritage Month 2023, listen to Episode 23 with Neil Ruiz of the Pew Research Center, episode 24 with Yingyi Ma of Syracuse University, and episode 20 with author, Dori Yang My book:  America Calling: A Foreign Student in a Country of Possibility Sign up for America Calling: my take on the intersection of education, culture and migration Connect with me: LinkedIn, Twitter

This episode features Dr. Fanta Aw, the new Executive Director and CEO of NAFSA: the association of international educators. A highly-respected academic and nonprofit leader and scholar, Dr. Aw reflects on her global personal and professional journey and how these multifaceted experiences have prepared her exceptionally well to take on her new role and advance the field of international education in the U.S. and globally. Dr. Aw previously served as NAFSA’s President and Chair of the Board of Directors and has spent her academic and professional careers at American University in Washington, D.C. An award-winning teacher, she served as the Hurst Senior Professorial Lecturer at AU’s School of International Service. She also sits on the Global Advisory Board of Times Higher Education and previously chaired the board of ETS TOEFL. Episode themes: Originally from Mali, how being a "third culture kid" and global nomad prepared Fanta for a career in international education and has helped her be a nimble leader, adapting to changing times How international and immigrant-students are faring on US campuses today and what is needed to support them The international education dynamics between the Global North and the Global South and how the balance of power is shifting to the developing world What the appointment of the first foreign-born, immigrant-origin, woman of color to lead a major higher education association means for NAFSA and its future Has the field of international made progress when it comes to diversity, access, and inclusion? What excites yet scares Fanta about her new role at NAFSA Leadership lessons and advice for women leaders Episode resources: Follow Fanta on Twitter and LinkedIn Listen to Episode 8 with LaNitra Berger Check out MPOWER Financing's Social Impact Report My book:  America Calling: A Foreign Student in a Country of Possibility Sign up for America Calling: my take on the intersection of education, culture and migration Connect with me: LinkedIn, Twitter Episode sponsor: This episode was made possible by the generous support of MPOWER Financing which provides no-cosigner loans and scholarships for international, DACA, and refugee students. Headquartered in Washington DC, MPOWER has to date helped tens of thousands of students fund their educational dreams and journeys.

The World Wise podcast celebrated its one-year anniversary last month, in March 2023. In this episode I give you a brief peek behind the scenes on what it has felt like to launch the podcast; the power of stories and storytelling; and--most importantly--things I have learned from my guests about the broader field of international education. These in-depth conversations over the past year have both challenged my assumptions and beliefs, but have also confirmed things which I always sensed to be true, but that were now being validated by others based on their work and lived experience. Episode Resources: Episode 7: Where talent meets opportunity: A conversation with Rebecca Zeigler Mano Episode 13: Shaping the future leaders of Africa: A conversation with university founder Patrick Awuah Episode 27: Building the world's talent by enabling African brilliance: Dr. Lydiah Kemunto Bosire of 8B Investments My book:  America Calling: A Foreign Student in a Country of Possibility Sign up for America Calling: my take on the intersection of education, culture and migration Connect with me: LinkedIn, Twitter

In honor of Women’s History Month in the US and International Women’s Day which was in early March, this episode focuses on three women leaders in international education who share their advice on careers and leadership. The episode also includes a historical look at some of the earliest women international students who came to the U.S. in the 1800s, including Anandibai Joshee from India and three young women from Japan.    The three women leaders in international education featured in this episode include Peggy Blumenthal. With a 40+ year career spanning international education and U.S.-China relations, Peggy previously served as the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Institute of International Education (IIE) and is now Senior Counselor to the President of IIE. Ronit Avni is a tech and media entrepreneur who is the founder and CEO of Localized, an organization and tech platform that helps connect highly accomplished immigrants in the diaspora with young and emerging talent and graduates in their home countries. And last but not the least: a reflection on challenges as an emerging woman leader of color as well as critical advice for those of us who have intersectional identities from Esther Benjamin, the Executive Director and CEO of World Education Services or WES. These three leaders bring varying perspectives and insights on developing leadership skills. Episode resources: Daughters of the Samurai by Janice Nimura Listen to the full episode with Peggy Blumenthal Listen to the full episode with Ronit Avni Listen to the full episode with Esther Benjamin My book:  America Calling: A Foreign Student in a Country of Possibility Sign up for America Calling: my take on the intersection of education, culture and migration Connect with me: LinkedIn, Twitter Connect with my company, Rajika Bhandari Advisors

When we think of the movement of students and migrants we usually think of their motivations—what drives them and why they move. We think of money and financing, we think of visas, we think of all the universities and countries who want to attract them. But we often don’t talk about the role that someone’s degrees or credentials play in their ability to actually cross borders and be recognized for what they know and have learned. This episode’s guest is Margit Schatzman, President of Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE), a U.S.-based nonprofit organization that provides foreign credential evaluation, research, training in international education and free evaluations for refugees. Margit has also served as the president of the Association for International Credential Evaluation Professionals (TAICEP). Episode Themes: What exactly is credential evaluations and why it’s important in opening the door to opportunity and global talent. Margit’s personal and professional journey in finding her way into the field of credential evaluations and the critical role of Jim Frey, the founder of ECE. Margit's reflections on the war in Ukraine, why the situation of refugees and displaced individuals resonates deeply with her, and how ECE is supporting refugees, asylees and other people whose education and careers have been disrupted in recent years. The development of a National Qualifications Framework for the U.S. and why it matters. Margit’s leadership advice for international educators. Margit’s passion for making recycled silk quilts that reflect her immigrant heritage. Episode Resources: Margit's statement: 1939 All Over Again Follow ECE on LinkedIn and Twitter The National Qualifications Framework Project My book:  America Calling: A Foreign Student in a Country of Possibility Sign up for America Calling: my take on the intersection of education, culture and migration Connect with me: LinkedIn, Twitter

In this week’s episode, we focus on a group of dreamers in the U.S. who have lived in the country for most of their lives yet have no clear path to permanence or citizenship in the country. The episode’s guest is Dip Patel, the founder of an organization called Improve the Dream which advocates for this group of young people known as “Documented Dreamers.” It turns out that many people do not know about the predicament and difficulties that Documented Dreamers face—their situation often flies under the radar and is often overshadowed by larger immigration debates in the U.S. Dip helps us disentangle why almost a quarter million young people who call America home face an uncertain future that hangs in the balance. Episode details: Understanding the journey of "documented dreamers," and Dip's personal journey as a documented dreamer The founding and mission of Improve the Dream The America's Children Act and immigration reform that would help documented dreamers Why we need comprehensive immigration reform that supports both undocumented and documented dreamers Specific challenges that documented dreamers face when it comes to attending college in the U.S. What Improve the Dream is doing to create change and how to help Episode Resources: Documented Dreamers: An overview Breakdown of dreamer populations Follow Improve the Dream Follow Dip Patel My book:  America Calling: A Foreign Student in a Country of Possibility Sign up for America Calling: my take on the intersection of education, culture and migration Connect with me: LinkedIn, Twitter

The World Wise podcast returns with its third season and also has a new look and feel. Season Three launches with an episode with Jamil Salmi, the perfect guest to inspire us and help us kick off 2023 by staying focused on some of the biggest issues in higher education globally, including how inequalities in education continue around the world despite greater access to technology, and how universities need to transform themselves for the future or else they risk becoming obsolete—or becoming "museums" as Jamil describes it. Jamil Salmi is an economist, development and policy expert, one of the foremost public intellectuals in higher education, and is also a former head of higher education at the World Bank. He is widely regarded as one of the most astute tertiary education experts in the world, and has provided policy advice to governments and university leaders in about 100 countries in all parts of the world. He is also a prolific author and his series of books on world-class universities (co-authored with Philip Altbach) are an essential reference. Episode highlights: - Jamil’s global educational journey across Morocco, France, and the U.S., and how it shaped his interests and career, especially as someone from the Global South. - The uneven and inequitable impacts of COVID-19 on higher education around the world. - The important role of technology in higher education, and why Jamil has been predicting its rise for several years. - What is means for institutions to aspire to be world-class, particularly for institutions in developing countries? What are the costs and benefits of such aspirations? The current status of higher education in Jamil's region of origin, the Middle East and North Africa. - Jamil’s vision for the universities of the future and how they need to change and adapt in order to be student- and learner-centered, or else they risk becoming “museums of the 20th century.” The rise of micro- and stacked credentials. - The critical role of scientific reasoning and evidence in higher education. - Jamil’s key pieces of advice for the next generation of professionals in our field. Episode Resources: Follow Jamil: LinkedIn, Twitter Lumina report: COVID’s Lessons for Higher Education The Road to Academic Excellence: the Making of World-Class Research Universities  The Challenge of Establishing World-Class Universities  Equity in access and success in HE is no longer a luxury The Museum of 20th Century Universities My book:  America Calling: A Foreign Student in a Country of Possibility Sign up for America Calling: my take on the intersection of education, culture and migration Connect with me: LinkedIn, Twitter

In this final episode of Season Two of the podcast and on the occasion of Martin Luther King Day, we go on a journey to India to understand how MLK was inspired by Gandhi and India. Despite this profound connection between the two countries, MLK and the Civil Rights Movement are barely discussed in Indian classrooms, and many Indian international students arrive in the U.S. without a solid understanding of why these histories matter or how they relate to the current status of race relations and social justice in the U.S. Take a listen as I discuss these issues and why MLK's fundamental message of bilateral interdependence and diplomatic ties is a timeless one. Episode Resources: MLK's essay: My trip to the land of Gandhi How the 1965 Immigration Act ended discriminatory immigration laws  Recommended reading for children: I see the promised land

Dr. Aditi Paul began her journey in the U.S. as an international doctoral student from India and although she struggled initially with the demands of her program, she quickly turned her life around to become a star academic researcher who became known for studying online dating on US campuses. Aditi uses her multidisciplinary background in computer science and communication studies to examine the impact of using human-centered technologies like social networking sites and online dating services. Her research has been published in top academic journals and has been featured in prominent media outlets such as The Washington Post, Women's Health, The Telegraph, Huffington Post, NBC News. This episode features Aditi's experiences of being an international student, of navigating a thorny immigration pathway, and eventually becoming an advocate for international students and of course her new book which is about the current culture of online dating, especially on campuses. But the conversation also ended up being delightfully surprising and funny, where Aditi reflects on issues such as identity and the imposter syndrome, the publishing journey, book publicity, and so much more! This episode is also a must-listen for any aspiring or established academic. researcher or author as Aditi offers a refreshingly candid take on how to navigate the complex field of  academic publishing, and how to market and brand yourself as an author. Episode Themes: Aditi’s interesting and surprising journey from being an international student to being a researcher, professor, and author of an academic book on online dating on campuses. Aditi’s transition from studying computer science like many other Indian students but moving on to the field of communications. Reflections on the academic and immigration-related challenges international students face and whether they are truly positioned to succeed in the U.S. A behind-the-scenes candid look at the academic publishing process and why publicity and marketing matters. Aditi’s advice for international students on navigating the educational and immigration journey. Ways in which Aditi is advocating for and supporting international students and immigrants. Episode Resources: Connect with Aditi: Twitter, LinkedIn Aditi’s book: The Current Collegiate Hook-up Culture My book:  America Calling: A Foreign Student in a Country of Possibility Sign up for America Calling: my take on the intersection of education, culture and migration Connect with me: LinkedIn, Twitter 

It is the end of 2022 and the world’s eyes and ears are tuned to the middle eastern nation of Qatar where the 2022 World Cup is currently taking place. This episode takes us on a global journey that spans Mexico, the U.S., India and ends in Doha in Qatar. But it’s not about soccer; it’s a journey about education. The episode’s guest is Francisco Marmolejo whose expansive, global career in international higher education has taken him from leading a higher education association to heading the World Bank’s higher education work around the world, and to now being the President of Higher Education at the Qatar Foundation (QF) in Doha, where he leads the unique ecosystem of eight prestigious universities that offer more than 70 undergraduate and graduate programs to students from 60 countries at QF’s Education City, the largest campus of its kind globally. While at the World Bank from 2012-2020, he provided advice and support to higher education projects in more than 60 countries, including his role as Leader of the Higher Education Governance Benchmarking Project in the Middle East and North Africa region. Originally from Mexico, Francisco’s international education experience has taken him to more than 90 countries around the world, where he has worked with universities, governments and international associations on international education projects over more than 30 years.  Episode Themes: How Francisco’s multi-sector experience spanning a higher education association, a multilateral organization, and a foundation has shaped his understanding of higher education issues around the world. Francisco’s early beginnings in Mexico and how he found his way from agriculture and agribusiness to international higher education. Francisco’s time in India with the World Bank, his deep associations with the country and its people, and the many things that Mexico and India share in common. Ongoing challenges and gaps in higher education for Global South countries like India and Mexico How the Qatar Foundation is developing innovative models of higher education, and the concept of the “multiversity’ Francisco’s key pieces of advice for the next generation of international education professionals Episode Resources: Connect with Francisco: Twitter, LinkedIn Octavio Paz's book, In Light of India My book:  America Calling: A Foreign Student in a Country of Possibility Sign up for America Calling: my take on the intersection of education, culture and migration Connect with me: LinkedIn, Twitter

On November 15, 2022, the world’s population was supposed to reach 8 billion people and is projected to reach almost 10 billion in 2050. Much of this growth will be concentrated in just eight countries of which five are in Africa. In fact, countries in sub-Saharan Africa will likely contribute to more than half the growth anticipated through 2050. To frame this in both demographic and educational terms, much of the world’s young talent already comes from places like India and Africa and will increasingly do so in the future. But how do we harness this talent, particularly from Africa, and why is it critical to create global opportunities for African students? This episode’s guest is Dr. Lydiah Kemunto Bosire, the founder and CEO of 8B Education Investments, a financial and education technology platform specialized in lending to African students to attend world-class global universities and supporting them to succeed. 8B is on a mission to strengthen Africa’s human capital by equipping the continent’s future leaders and ecosystem builders to innovate, compete, and thrive in the knowledge economy of the 21st century. A Kenyan national, Lydiah brings to the field of innovative finance her personal experience, and over eighteen years working on issues of international politics, development, and human rights. Prior to founding 8B, Lydiah worked at the United Nations, the World Bank, and leading global NGOs. Lydiah currently serves on the board at WorldQuant University, and is a member of the UWC Atlantic College Advisory Council. She publishes and speaks on a wide range of topics, including on the role of innovative finance in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, the UN and the World Bank in conflict-affected states, and the role of world-class human capital in African development. Episode highlights: Lydiah’s educational journey from Kenya to the U.K. and the U.S., why obtaining global scholarships shouldn't be a matter of luck, and her professional journey in the field of international development Lydiah’s aspirations to work in multilateral organizations like the UN and the World Bank, and why so many young people in the Global South also nurture a similar dream Scaling impact by investing in the education and future of African students. Lydiah’s reflections on brain drain and brain circulation Increasing financial for African students through a new Clinton Global Initiative commitment. Lydiah’s lessons learned and top advice for future entrepreneurs Episode Resources: Connect with Lydiah: Twitter, LinkedIn My book:  America Calling: A Foreign Student in a Country of Possibility Sign up for America Calling: my take on the intersection of education, culture and migration Connect with me: LinkedIn, Twitter

Art can play a profound role in opening our eyes, minds, and hearts to the world, and to understanding ourselves and those around us. This is also the reason that artists have often been a key part of cultural and educational exchanges between countries, enabling the sharing of ideas across border. This episode's guest is Dr. Navina Haidar, Chief Curator for Islamic art at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. Navina was the coordinating curator of the highly anticipated re-imagining of the New Islamic Galleries project at the Met, which came to fruition with the 2011 and which the New York Times described as "...intelligent as it is visually resplendent." She is also the author of six books Indian and Islamic art. In today's conversation, Navina shares her educational and professional journey; how curating and showcasing the arts of the Islamic world has helped build bridges and helped foster an understanding of other cultures, especially during times like 9/11 and other periods in recent history when there has been a backlash against the Muslim community; and how during these difficult times art can both heal and educate.   Episode Themes: Navina’s journey from a young student in India to becoming chief curator for the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s legendary Islamic art collection, and the role of education in her family. How studying and living abroad deepened shaped Navina’s career as an art historian. The challenges and opportunities in interpreting and curating Islamic art from around the world for a largely American audience. The role of art in building bridges in a post-9/11 world, and during other such episodes of xenophobia. The impact of the re-imagined and new Islamic art galleries at the Met. Can art help address social problems and create social change? Navina’s current curatorial projects and upcoming exhibits. Episode Resources: Vogue article about Navina and the new Islamic art galleries at the Met.  The Metropolitan Museum of Art article: Met Curator Navina Haidar on the 10th Anniversary of the New Islamic Galleries  As If A Girl Matters virtual museum My book:  America Calling: A Foreign Student in a Country of Possibility Sign up for America Calling: my take on the intersection of education, culture and migration Connect with me: LinkedIn, Twitter

Chinese students have always been a source of fascination for universities and countries around the world. What motivates these students and how best to attract them? Are their numbers increasing or dwindling? This last question is important because Chinese students are the largest group of globally mobile students, and the ebb and flow of their numbers can have a positive or negative impact on universities in countries like the U.S., Canada, and the U.K that often rely on Chinese students to make up a large part of their international student population. In today’s episode, we look beyond the numbers and instead try and understand today’s Chinese students who are “ambitious and anxious.” Today’s guest is Dr. Yingyi Ma, a Professor and Director of Graduate Studies in sociology and Director of the Asian/Asian American studies program at Syracuse University in New York. A scholar of education and migration focusing on the U.S. and China, Dr. Ma has published three books, numerous articles, and is a frequent contributor to global media. Her most recent book, Ambitious and Anxious: How Chinese Students Struggle and Succeed in American Higher Education, also helps us understand the broader social and cultural context of China that has helped shape today’s Chinese students. Episode Themes: Why Chinese students can be characterized as being ambitious and anxious Prevailing  stereotypes about recent Chinese students, and key ways in which Chinese students are a diverse group as opposed to being a homogeneous group  Dr. Ma’s personal experience of being a Chinese student in the U.S., how today’s students are different from her generation, and how her experiences have inspired an interest in studying education and migration How the pandemic has affected Chinese students What Chinese students are seeking when they study abroad, the concept of cultural capital, and what U.S. institutions can do to better support their Chinese students Being an Asian American herself and a scholar of Asian American Studies, Dr. Ma reflects on the geopolitical situation and the current sentiment amongst Chinese students and families about studying abroad in the West The rise of China as an educational destination in its own right, and one that attracts international students Episode Resources: Dr. Ma's book: Ambitious and Anxious: How Chinese Students Struggle and Succeed in American Higher Education My book:  America Calling: A Foreign Student in a Country of Possibility Sign up for America Calling: my take on the intersection of education, culture and migration Connect with me: LinkedIn, Twitter

To celebrate Welcoming Week 2022, a week when communities and organizations across the entire country come together to recognize America’s diverse heritage and to reaffirm that everyone is welcome here, today's conversation focuses on one of the largest immigrant groups in the U.S.: Asian Americans. This episode's guest is Dr. Neil Ruiz, associate director of race and ethnicity research at the Pew Research Center in Washington DC, who has spent his career studying the international movement of people across borders, high-skilled immigration globally, and in recent years his focus has been studying the Asian American population in the US, something that resonates with him as he is himself Asian American. Prior to joining the Center, Neil has held roles at George Washington University, the Brookings Institution, the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank. Today’s episode focuses on a large and new research initiative that he has been leading called Being Asian in America and that released new findings just last month in August 2022.  Episode Themes: The Being Asian in America initiative, its narrative and storytelling approach, and how it contributes to our understanding of Asians in America Why we need to use “hard” and “soft” data to understand immigrant communities and their stories and how the project has shaped Neil’s own growth and understanding as a researcher The challenges of summarizing and extracting common themes from conversations with 264 Asians across the US, representing 18 distinct Asian ethnic origin groups and numerous languages How the mainstream American understanding of Asia as a region and what constitutes Asia has changed and evolved over time, and what the Pew project adds to our understanding of the diversity of Asians and the Asian identity in America The challenge of cultural adaptation vs identity: key differences between different generations of Asian American immigrants. How racial and ethnic identity intersects with other aspects of identity such as gender or being LGBTQ+ How Asians in the U.S. perceive their own identity? Where are we now and do Asian Americans feel a sense of belonging in the U.S., especially given the recent wave of hate crimes against Asians? What leading a project on Asian Americans means for Neil personally, as the child of Filipino immigrants to the U.S. Episode Resources: The Pew Research Center's Being Asian in America project  Check out the documentary film from the project! Follow Neil: Twitter, LinkedIn My book:  America Calling: A Foreign Student in a Country of Possibility Sign up for America Calling: my take on the intersection of education, culture and migration Connect with me: LinkedIn, Twitter