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Global Education As Gunston begins its second century as a school, our students are preparing to enter a world where change is exponential, and students will soon inhabit a workplace that will most likely be unrecognizable to us today. As the world becomes more integrated, our nation’s economy and health will undoubtedly become more dependent on the success of this integration. Both the speed and scope of such significant change means that Gunston must continue to embrace an important fundamental question: How do we best pre-
pare our students to navigate the 21st Century world? Currently at Gunston, with courses focusing on Ancient History and the History of Ideas, our curriculum aims to help students understand the rich intellectual and spiritual heritage of various cultures. Our technological infrastructure provides student access to the limitless resources on the world wide web, and our foreign language program maintains a strong focus on issues of culture. Perhaps most significantly, Gunston annually welcomes onto our campus international students from Europe and Asia who make up nearly 15% of our student body. These talented young men and women, all of whom are living and studying far away from their family and support network, bring an extraordinary diversity of perspectives and experiences to our campus, and we all benefit from their presence. At Gunston, our family atmosphere now extends to diverse communities across the globe. To this end, we dedicate a day each year—Gunston’s International Day—to expanding student understanding of global issues. The aims of this year’s International Day included educating our students about the opportunities and challenges of our rapidly globalizing society, honoring the cultures and traditions of our international students, celebrating the beauty and diversity of various artistic traditions, increasing our students’ overall level of cultural competence, and having some fun. The program included a keynote speaker from the U.S. Army War College, who shared his expertise on Middle East politics and culture; a “Challenge 2020” presentation where students learned about the twenty most pressing issues that will be faced by their generation; a “cultural fair” in the field house where our international students shared various aspects of their heritage; a musical performance by our own Juan Angarita and his band combined with a Colombian dance routine performed by our students; and finally, a very competitive Ping-Pong tournament and our annual chariot races.