President Art Dunning
Southwest
Georgia is an amazing place. It is a region with a rich history and a
promising future. While this remains true, we must acknowledge that
there is a larger world beyond our local and national borders — a world
made up of different views, products, ideas and cultures. To further
expand our local economy and prepare our students and citizens for a
global marketplace, we must expose them to other cultures and world
business models.
An interconnected marketplace that is
not hampered by time zones or national boundaries connects all of us by
acknowledging the social and economic links that exist in humanity. In
some way, shape or form, we are all connected to each other through
economic factors like trade or cultural influences and the sharing of
knowledge. We can look to Southwest Georgia for an example. Consider the
Cordele inland port (Cordele Intermodal Services), which allows for the
transportation of commodities to the Port of Savannah, the second
largest port on the East Coast, and the Port of Brunswick. These ports
ship goods to global customers. Southwest Georgia pecans and peanuts are
sold in countries around the world.
I’ve had the opportunity to spend a
considerable amount of time working abroad in different capacities. As a
member of the U.S. Air Force, I spent two years abroad in Southeast
Asia, then two years as a Department of Defense civilian in northeast
Thailand. I’ve also taught in Mexico City, instructing college and
university administrators in higher education best practices. Without a
doubt, I learned more about America while being abroad. It broadened my
cultural, historical, political and educational perspective about the
country that I lived in and my home country. This allows me to think
globally about the future of higher education and the future of Albany
State University.
Everyone can start thinking globally.
Whether face-to-face, by phone or through the limitless reach of the
Internet, we can interact with people from other countries and cultures
regularly. We encourage our students, and yes our citizens, to take the
time to learn a new language or take a trip to an international
destination. The experience helps to develop perspective. Many of the
instructors and staff members at Albany State University are from
different parts of the globe including Belize, Nigeria, Amsterdam and
China. ASU faculty member and 2016 Researcher of the Year, Dr. Seong
Seo, is a Korean native. Dr. Seo has produced groundbreaking research
for 14 years at the university and impacts students daily as a professor
of chemistry.
The university plays an integral role
in helping people of this community develop a global consciousness. We
provide varied cultural experiences for many young people who would not
otherwise have such an opportunity. This exposure broadens their
worldview. ASU faculty and staff members stress to students the
importance of studying abroad. Our Office of Global Programs, headed by
Dr. Nneka Osakwe, coordinates study abroad opportunities to destinations
around the globe, including France, Costa Rica, China, Japan and Peru.
Since 2010, nearly 130 students, in various majors, have explored other
cultures, histories and languages while taking classes and earning
credits toward graduation. Last year, 16 ASU students received funding
to travel abroad. We believe financial constraints should not limit a
student’s access to this life-changing experience, and programs like the
Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program help to provide
funding to U.S. students who desire to study or intern in other
countries.
Studying abroad helps our students
learn about new careers and how to fashion their careers in new and
exciting ways. Studying abroad instills global and intercultural
competencies. Students learn to interact with people from all walks of
life, which prepares them to address such global issues as poverty,
hunger and humanitarianism. Few life experiences will have such a
sustainable impact.
Our state is growing in diversity daily
and some of those populations are calling Southwest Georgia home. How
amazing it is to know that our students’ study abroad experiences will
help them to successfully interact with those citizens! Let’s embrace
the importance of shared knowledge, assorted cultures and varied
perspectives. The investment is worth it.
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