Reflecting on how the PolyGlobal Speakers Shaped me

One of the main reasons I decided to become a global scholar was because of the stellar speakers I had been able to see throughout my time at Poly. Every event I attended from my freshman to my junior year left me impressed, deep in thought, and, most importantly, eager to learn more. At first, I think I approached these events primarily as a global student. I was interested in international issues and wanted to learn new information. Over time, however, the Global Scholars program pushed me to move beyond simply learning the facts about global topics and instead think more critically about the inherent human stories and ethical questions. I began to realize that having international awareness is vital, but nothing without also viewing issues with empathy, curiosity, and understanding how they connect back to our own lives and responsibilities. Naturally, one of the most memorable parts of the Global Scholars program has been the incredible guests that we’ve had the privilege of talking to.



I’d like to highlight a couple of the most memorable and impactful speakers I heard from this year, starting with Arn Chorn-Pond. Hearing Arn speak in person gave me a completely different perspective on his story. Rather than focusing only on the horrors he endured under the Khmer Rouge, he spoke candidly about the emotional challenges of immigrating to America and trying to assimilate while feeling like an outsider. What struck me most, however, was the sense of empathy and optimism within everything he said. Despite experiencing a life of unimaginable suffering, Arn emphasized the importance of understanding others’ pain and using hardship as motivation to help people, a theme powerfully reflected in his work with the Cambodian Living Arts.

Another speaker I found especially impactful was Dr. Lamy. I appreciated how he broke down the geopolitical situation surrounding Greenland in a way that was both detailed and accessible, particularly his explanation of how the conflict is driven more by economic leverage and rare earth minerals than direct military necessity. What stood out to me most was his discussion of the broader consequences of these political decisions, from the strain they could place on NATO alliances to the environmental and cultural impacts on Greenland itself. I was also fortunate enough to have dinner with Dr. Lamy after the talk, which made the experience even more meaningful because I was able to hear more about his personal experiences and research in a much more conversational setting. His anecdotes and firsthand knowledge made the topic feel far more human and memorable than any article or lecture alone could have.

Finally, the last event I’d like to highlight was the discussion led by Ms. Abbas and Mr. Clark about the genocide in Xinjiang. While I had some prior knowledge of the topic, their presentation gave me a far deeper understanding of both the staggering scale of the atrocities and the personal stories behind them. I was especially struck by the discussion of how forced labor in Xinjiang is tied to global consumer markets, allowing companies around the world to profit from the exploitation of Uyghur people. Hearing about the treatment of women in the prison camps was particularly horrifying, and it made the human cost of the genocide impossible to ignore. I also appreciated the balance between Ms. Abbas’s firsthand perspective and Mr. Clark’s journalistic approach, as together they created a presentation that was both deeply emotional and incredibly informative. One especially meaningful moment for me was learning, after the talk, that Mr. Clark was actually the person who connected my group with a Uyghur professor I had met during my trip to Kazakhstan the previous spring. That unexpected connection made the event feel even more personal and reinforced how interconnected these global issues really are.

Together, these speakers fundamentally changed the way I engage with global issues. The Global Scholars program taught me to look beyond headlines and statistics and instead pay attention to the individual stories that shape the world around us. In the future, I want to continue studying global issues. I plan to take a semester abroad in college, though I’m not sure where to, and I’m making it a goal to study international relations in some capacity. I want to thank Mr. Caragher one last time for fanning the flame of this now burgeoning passion of mine. 

Thank you, loyal blog reader!