Take 5: Global Imports

In our monthly Take 5 column, International Educator poses a thought-provoking prompt to five members of the NAFSA community. These international educators, who represent a diverse range of voices and perspectives, respond with their insights, recommendations, and personal reflections on the myriad themes and questions that are facing the field.

What's one international education policy, practice, or cultural attitude from another country that you'd like to see your country import or adopt?

Jill Blondin, Virginia Commonwealth University: I recently spent time in the Philippines as a Fulbright Specialist, and I loved merienda, the delicious snack that is enjoyed both mid-morning and between lunch and dinner. This cultural practice has much to teach us about the importance of taking a pause and building community through food and shared experiences. Merienda is about enjoying life, and if we in the United States adopted these daily intentional pauses, it would allow for reflection, celebration of small moments . . . and turon (Filipino fried banana rolls)!

Anjam Chaudhary, Michigan State University: While gender equity remains a work in progress in many U.S. institutions, India and several other countries around the world offer compelling models. In 2023, Cochin University of Science and Technology in Kerala became one of the first in its region to grant menstrual leave to students. The policy was soon adopted across all public universities in the state of Kerala.

As the director of global inclusion programs for international studies and programs at Michigan State University, I was inspired