Go Back To Where I Came From?

Whilst I was looking among graduate schools for a degree in environmental management, the name of the school unsurprisingly factored in. When I started noticing that some Americans did not know where to locate Bloomington, Indiana, on a map, I knew that a degree from there was going to be a harder sell on the international scene. Fortunately, Duke suffers no such identity issue.

I am not saying this to praise Duke, but only to give an international perspective to the Nicholas School of the Environment. Because the reality is that some of the graduating students will move and work abroad, especially the international students who may decide to return home. Being a native Swede, I am often asked whether or not I intend to return? However, because I am also American the choice is up to me. In the end though, my most likely end destination is neither; I hope to work in Nairobi for UNEP.

So, haven gotten my education at the Nicholas School, I am then off to work and enrich another country. Does that seem right? Should I not stay and pursue local research and entrepreneurship? The debate rages widely on this issue. Some resent the growing influx of foreign students who study in America “only” to return to their respective home countries with their acquired knowledge.

Others point out that the acquired knowledge often comes at an incredible financial cost considering international students do not qualify for most financial aid. As they say, no such thing as a free meal.

Ultimately, without the international diffusion of ideas we would be a much poorer world. And further, with American and non-American students pursuing work abroad, the network of the Nicholas School will only be widened and bolstered to enhance its reputation, recognition, and intellectual linkages.