Groton Celebrates Global Education Day

Director of Global Education Nishad Das and the Global Ed prefects organized a multi-layered event dedicated to celebrating and spreading enthusiasm and awareness about Groton's global programming.

The day began with a lecture from Loung Ung, a renowned Cambodian author and child and women’s rights activist. She told the story of her youth in Cambodia and the dangers she was forced to escape during the rule of the Khmer Rouge.

Students were inspired to see someone so successful and passionate about her work tell such a personal story from her childhood and describe how she was able to grow from it. One of the writers of the documentary Girl Rising, Loung Ung currently is adapting one of her memoirs to the screen with actress Angelina Jolie. After her lecture, the activist stayed at Groton for the day, visiting classes and holding discussion times for students and faculty.

In addition to our speaker, the Dining Hall and Global Ed Prefects organized a delicious lunch, with dishes featured from four geographic areas that host Groton's Global Education opportunities—America, Asia, Europe, and Africa. During an impromptu geography bee in line, students who were able to answer geographic trivia questions were allowed to skip to the front. During dessert, the Global Ed prefects and committee members held an informal information session about forthcoming global education opportunities, including trips to Peru, Tanzania, Uganda, Eastern Europe, and the Dominican Republic.

All in all, it was a successful celebration of the richness and diversity of not only our Global Education Opportunities but also of our community.—Suzy K. '16