You might wonder -- what is banner photo for this blog, and how does it relate to my blog's theme - learning across borders? On a personal level, this photo reminds me why I do what I do every day.
I took this picture one cold August, 2008 morning from a tent I was sharing with my son Josh in Peru. We were on a 45 km hike on the Inca Trail on our way to Machu Piccuh. This trip was unforgettable. It was physically challenging but very rewarding.
We learned a lot -- about our selves, our relationship, our companions, and about the rich history of the people and place.
This photo reminds me that the pursuit of learning often leads us outside our comfort zone. Each year approximately 2,500 international students, visiting scholars and their families travel to the University of Missouri from over 100 countries around the world to study with us. At the same time, over 1,200 students earn college credits, studying in sixty different countries; and dozens of faculty members travel the world to advance teaching, research and public service projects.
Our job at the International Center is to do whatever we can to facilitate all this learning across borders. In the process, we meet adventurous people with powerful stories.
It's a beautiful thing.
