While Amy is out on maternity leave (getting to know her own future TILE member), we’ve invited a few fabulous friends to keep up the dialogue. This week we have the pleasure of introducing you to Corinna Lathan, who emerged from the world of biomedical and aerospace engineering (with a helping of neuroscience, naturally) to found a seriously mind-blowing research & development firm called AnthroTronix. Here she is:
Do you believe that this is a crucial moment in time for us to become a generation of committed global citizens who believe we can make a real difference?
Do you believe in the reality of a better world? That developing personal connections with other cultures through social action and direct community engagement is the key to peace and progress in the world?
If so, you are not alone. Since the 1960′s (another pivotal time in history), youth travel and cultural exchange has been recognized by many governments as a useful tool to create greater global understanding in order to prevent future wars. This became know as the ‘Gap Year‘ – usually taken during the year before or after college – when independent travel and volunteerism evolve hand in hand. More recently, the term “service learning“ has been used to reflect the desire to combine our academic interests with service in the form of experiential learning. And there’s something for everyone out there!
Some organizations help you identify your interests and choose a program that is right for you – such as the Center for Interim Programs. Others, such as Global Learning Across Borders, focus directly on cultural engagement. Programs that integrate academic interests may focus on the summer season in order to maximize flexibility and opportunity. I am on the board of one organization, Engineering World Health, which combines an interest in science and engineering, cultural engagement, and an impactful volunteer experience through working in a rural hospital in Africa or Central America.
Unfortunately, this concept of service learning has not taken hold in the U.S. as much as in Europe and other parts of the world. This is due in large part to the debt that families must carry to pay for U.S. college tuition. However, momentum is gaining in the U.S. – Even Harvard is now encouraging students to take a year off to travel.
So this is a great opportunity for the TILE community to have an impact! Think about exploring opportunities to immerse yourself in another culture, explore a specific interest, or volunteer to help others.
And let’s not forget… have fun!
- Corinna Lathan, Ph.D., P.E.
Board Member, Engineering World Health (ewh.org)
Board Chair and CEO, AnthroTronix, Inc. (atinc.com)
p.s. Another great resource is the “The Complete Guide to the Gap Year”, by educational consultant Kristin White.