Events
Every event that I attended throughout the two years in the program have shaped the way that I think about the world — here are some of the most memorable
Bilal Sekou and the Global Studies Class
Bilal Sekou
Learning How to Fight for Change
Mr. Sekou answered a question that I had long had. If I believe in something, and have the desire to do something to change an important issue to myself, how do you do it? He gave very clear steps on how to actually do it.
9.20.23
Info card and Stage where Ambassador Khan would sit
Ambassador of Pakistan
Learning The Job of an Ambassador
During the moderator question time, he was asked a lot about Pakistan-America, India-America and Pakistan-China relations and the implications they all have on each other. He managed to, nearly within every answer, mention the investment opportunities that Pakistan holds for American investors. This got me thinking: what does the job of an Ambassador really entail?
9.12.23
The presenters at the Connecticut Forum
Connecticut Forum: Misinformation
Finding the Truth
Taking the time to consider the purpose of forums like this is crucially important to learning the value of these Global Studies events. Watkinson’s mission statement, “To develop in students the power to be knowledgeable and effective world citizens — acting locally and globally — and to foster respect for diverse people and cultures” plays an important role in analyzing the goals of these trips.
3.23.23
Travelers who attended Friday Prayers
Friday Prayers Muslim Service and Talk-back
Acceptance, Learning and Love - Exploring Religion
Many people afterwards came up to us, introduced themselves and shook our hands. They asked us our favorite parts of the service, what our takeaways are and thanked us for visiting. This act of invitation and acceptance into their community allowed me to see the love that many had for each other, even strangers they didn't even know.
1.27.23
Bruce Becker in front of his Hotel Marcel
Bruce Becker Environmental Talk
How to Achieve Net Zero Hotel
Becker's presentation gave me hope for the future of commercial buildings and their relationship with the environment. If more people follow in his footsteps and convert to environmentally friendly appliances and means of getting power, we can begin putting a stop to climate change and start to reverse the impact humans have had.
11.17.22
ADL attendees before the first session of the day
ADL Never is Now Conference
Post-2022 Midterms and Fighting Conspiracies
This made me start to understand why people like Alex Jones intentionally spread the false and hurtful information he does — because he needs to in order to survive.
11.10.22
Me in the Cosmic Latte at MassMoCA
MassMoCA
Memorial to Ice at The Dead Deer Disco and Cosmic Latte
The trip to MassMoCA taught me how art can influence your feelings and emotion: The lightness you can feel after walking through a mesmerizing installation or the narrative you see in an art piece commenting on where climate change is taking us.
10.20.22
Timothy Snyder
As Ukraine Goes, So Goes The World
Fascism and Democracy
The path Timothy Snyder led us on as he explained the mindset of the Russians allowed me to understand more than just the relationship between Russia and Ukraine. I saw connections to the relationship Hitler had with Jews during World War II, among other groups, and the relationship Donald Trump has with his and his far right supporters.
10.12.22
Travelers who attended Rosh Hashanah in the Park
Rosh Hashanah in the Park
The Rabbi explained the story behind, “it is, what it is.” I have heard this phrase throughout my whole entire life from my mother who has comforted me in countless times of need, referring back to this exact statement. Witnessing the incorporation of its beliefs into the celebration of the Jewish New Year reaffirmed its relevance in everyday life.