Collegiate Times

Sax had high hopes for the discussion and high praises for Ghosh as well.

“I imagine there will be a really rich discussion afterwards,” Sax said. “He’s got a lot of experience within the field of international education. His own background will inform the discussion really well.”

Sax and Watts were excited about the direction of Tech’s recent strategic plan, which strongly supports the integration of international students into the student body while also pushing strongly for more education abroad.

“There need to be opportunities to internationalize everybody on campus — not just those who go abroad — by taking advantage of the international resources that we have here on campus,” Watts said. 

Sax and the Education Abroad office have been working hard to debunk the myth that studying abroad is only for privileged students who can afford it. She believes that there are plenty of opportunities to get financial help and that the benefits of studying in another country are immeasurable.

“I would argue that study abroad is not a luxury anymore, it’s a necessity,” Sax said. “It can really make the difference for students on the job market. As our world becomes increasingly interdependent, it really is almost a prerequisite to becoming successful out there in any field.” 

The screening of “Crossing Borders” was set up to try and get students at the university thinking about other cultures, and to raise awareness about the benefits of studying abroad and being fully immersed into another culture. This event is preceding the Education Abroad Fair by exactly two weeks.

“We thought it would be a great precursor to that event where people might start mulling over what it could mean for them to have a cross-cultural experience and then to go to that fair,” Sax said.

Students interested in study abroad, or those wanting to learn more about other cultures and hidden stereotypes, will have the opportunity to learn more at the discussion and screening of this film.

“I think one of the big successes of the film is showing where these presuppositions come from and how to let some of them go,” Sax said.

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A version of this article appeared in the Sep 12 issue of the Collegiate Times.