"As a brand-new School of International Studies student, on my first day of classes last August,
Bruce LaBrack who teaches anthropology introduced himself and promptly
labeled me a “global nomad”. He then explained he wasn’t merely
practicing his psychic skills but had been informed about my
background. Never had I heard the term before, but it stuck. Born in
Mt. Vernon, Ohio; after 3 years journeyed to Cruden Bay, Scotland, then
moved to Wetzlar, Germany at age 6; and then returned to the U.S. at 16;
I suppose I am somewhat of a global ambler. The experience of living in
these contrasting cultures, without having been anchored in any one of
them, gives me a sense that the entire earth is home (well, there might
be a few places we could exempt). But the point is: a main source of
identity for types like us is derived from simply being an earthling."
"The School of International Studies is doing a wonderful job at
welcoming folks like myself into their community. For one, an
international flair always surrounds the school. Whether it’s the
Juniors/Seniors who have returned from their studies abroad, the OASIS
club which regularly hosts international dinners, professors who rave
about their travels and work overseas, or foreign students and profs who
gladly contribute to the banquet of stories and perspectives, School of International Studies
embodies internationalism. Due in part to the rich fabric of the people
who make up School of International Studies, my professors encourage the expression of unique
stances in the classroom when they are sufficiently substantiated. Add
a new friend from Thailand here, a buddy from Canada there, and let the
studying begin. As you can imagine, this sort of plurality could coax
even a “global nomad” to settle down at least for a few years to learn
more about the workings of our world."
