How to Keep Flying
February 21, 2025
Over the past month I have attempted writing this newsletter at least three times, and each time went back to the blank page because everything that I was writing about seemed so unimportant and trivial in the face of the upheavals we are facing in the U.S. It would have almost been easier if this newsletter was about breaking news in the international higher education sector, where the objectivity of facts and information can speak volumes, yet allowing the writer some space and distance. But that is not what this newsletter is about. Instead, I have always seen it as a space to surface the issues of our field—to inform, illuminate, and inspire—and to also have an opinion on the issues and, in doing so, hopefully offer some food for thought.
But at this moment in time…
I feel galvanized, yet paralyzed.
What is okay to write about? What is kosher to talk about? And, most importantly, how to show up personally and professionally in a way where one is able to acknowledge the ruptures affecting so many of us, yet is able to do so without raving and ranting?
Hilary Kahn, a highly respected and seasoned international education leader, captured it perfectly when she used the metaphor of a plane, and that the current moment calls on us to figure out how to keep flying during a time of turbulence.
Where do we fly right now and at what altitude?
Do we fly above the clouds, sailing high, or do we fly low and under the radar?
Ultimately, how do we stay true to our values?
This month, I’m drawing inspiration from Black History Month in the U.S. which I have written about in this newsletter each year, drawing out lesser known aspects of America’s racial and immigrant history. A couple of years ago I shared a little-known episode in the history of educational exchanges in the U.S. that forged the country’s relationships with African countries, and that brought Barack Obama’s father to the U.S. from Kenya.
In this issue I focus on the hidden history of Black and South Asian communities to highlight how America’s Black history has also intersected with the history of South Asians in America. And, as always, I turn to the power of storytelling—in writing, through film, and through voices—to enable us to persevere and continue to talk about the things that matter, the things that bring us joy, that offer an opportunity for reflection, and that ultimately inspire us.
READ!
Vivek Bald’s book, Bengali Harlem, traces the arrival of South Asian Bengali sellers and merchants in Harlem in the early 20th century. Deeply researched, the book examines archival documents like passenger records and census papers to depict the life of early Bengali settlers in a predominantly Black neighborhood because of racial segregation, and how many of them married into African-American and Puerto Rican families.
WATCH!
The Bengali. Author Fatima Shaik embarks upon an unlikely quest when she travels from New Orleans, the city of her birth, to India, home of her grandfather Shaik Mohamed Musa. An African-American writer whose family has lived in Louisiana for four generations, Shaik travels with Kolkata-born filmmaker Kavery Kaul to a part of India where no African-American (or American) has ever gone. Through Fatima’s moving and inspiring personal journey, The Bengali tells the untold story of ties between South Asians and African-Americans in the U.S. in the late 19th century.
LISTEN!
Bridging Divides Through a Camera Lens: Filmmaker and Fulbrighter, Kavery Kaul. After you watch The Bengali, be sure to check out this episode of the World Wise podcast with the film director, Kavery Kaul, in which we not only talk about the making of the film but also talk about the overall value of educational and cultural exchanges and her Fulbright fellowship which enabled her to spend time in India to make the film.
When MLK Jr. Visited India. Tracing yet another intersection of African American and South Asian history, this episode focuses on Martin Luther King, Jr. and how he was inspired by Gandhi, India, and the non-violent movement. Take a listen as I discuss why MLK's fundamental message of bilateral interdependence and diplomatic ties is a timeless one.
On the Road…Events, Talks & Workshops
I will be in Texas for two back-to-back conferences! First up is the Association of International Education Administrators (AIEA) 2025 conference in Houston from March 2-5. If you happen to be there, please join me and my wonderful panelists for these two sessions:
➡️ 𝐃𝐨 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐖𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐀𝐫𝐞 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠? 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧'𝐬 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦 𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐟𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐨. Cheryl Matherly, Tonya Creamer, John Clark and I will delve into the many nuances of this topic which also form the basis of a forthcoming paper by the Oxford International Education Group
➡️ 𝐒𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐔.𝐒.-𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐚 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐄𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐬. Uttiyo Raychaudhuri and I will lead a discussion based on our ongoing project through which we have developed an in-depth online course to support Indian and U.S. institutions in their internationalization efforts.
Next up will be SXSW EDU! A huge thank you to those of you who voted for our panel last fall. Andrea Golato and I will be engaging in a fireside chat that draws upon my book and is titled, America Calling: The Impact of Global Higher Education. As international student alumni, Andrea and I will also be discussing our respective experiences as students from Germany and India.
CLIENT & PARTNER SPOTLIGHT!
This past year, we had the honor and privilege of partnering with the Alliance for International Exchange, an association that represents organizations and companies comprising the educational and cultural exchange community in the United States, and serves as its only collective public policy voice. The result of our partnership is the new report 𝐀𝐧 𝐈𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐀𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚: 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐃𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐠𝐞𝐔𝐒𝐀 𝐄𝐱𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐬 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐔.𝐒. 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐭 𝐇𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐀𝐛𝐫𝐨𝐚𝐝. The report is based on a large-scale impact study of five BridgeUSA exchange programs. Based on surveys of 9,049 global alumni and 4,335 U.S. host businesses, organizations and families, the findings demonstrate the critical role that exchanges play in:
➡️ Strengthening the U.S. economy and workforce
➡️ Advancing U.S. foreign policy goals and helping forge long-term ties with other countries
➡️ Increasing mutual understanding and enabling cultural exchange
Get your copy of America Calling
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