What it Means to be a Global Citizen Scholar

A Global Citizen Scholar is any person who actively analyzes the effects of globalism on his/ her life and takes what is learned in order to enhance society. Such a definition is purposefully ambiguous, as the realm of the Global Citizen Scholar is broad and diverse and based in respect for humanity. To quote Terence, “Homo sum, humani nihil a me alienum puto,” which translates to “I am a man, nothing human is foreign to me.” Indeed the comfort zone of the Global Citizen Scholar resides everywhere man has touched. As human history progresses, globalization is increasingly apparent. Because of this trend, we are called to give it more of our attention. Globalism is a trend in which people are increasingly more connected to the affairs of those across the world, whether they know it or not. There are nasty sides, such as economic incentives to operate sweatshops to supply people with artificially inexpensive goods. Good things happen as well, like cultural exchange. Everyone except those in the most isolated of conditions (like the uncontacted tribes of the Amazon or particularly resilient Inuits) feels the effects of globalism whether they know it or not.

Ignorance is bliss, and the average person can live a full life without ever thinking of globalism. These people are not Global Citizen Scholars. What we aspire to do that diverges from mainstream thought is to scrutinize everything that passes by our noses. We consider its cause and effect from the global stage. How were our goods produced? How do our consumption patterns effect the economy here and elsewhere? Why are papayas from Brazil so cheap? So on and so forth. The fields of interest and involvement of the Global Citizen Scholar are wide and varied, but connected ultimately by special attention to globalism.

Now for the more personal answer. This summer I have been working at a little Starbucks inside a Giant Eagle. You would not believe how much foreigners love coffee. The neighborhood in which I work is not incredibly diverse, so I was pleasantly surprised to see our clientele. Every day I meet somebody hailing from a different country. Lots of Saudis, Ukrainians, and Indians; occasionally a family from Cabo Verde or Somalia will role by. Just this morning I made a flat white for a fascinating Kyrgyz man. In the eighth grade I competed in the state geography bee, and for it I learned all of the world capitals. This simple knowledge has led to amazing conversations with my customers. When they tell me what country they are from, I respond with the capital’s name with an interrogative inflection. Their reaction is without exception warm and positive. They are new to this country and it is of great comfort to know that someone as mundane as their barista knows about and cares about their homeland.

My global Starbucks experience taught me much about being a global citizen. Everybody longs for home. That is why Wizard of Oz and Western Classical music and art is so powerful. For me this summer, the most important thing I did as a global citizen was to bring a fleeting feeling of home to some people waiting for coffee. Though it is perhaps easiest for Americans, everyone can find echoes of home anywhere on the planet.

Despite the lot of this sounding as if it fits the political aims of the American left, I do not consider it along these lines, but rather in an apolitical sense. Myself I am not a relativist in any way, I am not a globalist, I am an American exceptionalist, an outspoken proponent of the Judeo-Christian faiths, and the critically endangered campus conservative. None of this precludes me from acting as a positive agent for global justice as part of this program. My hope remains that vigorous debate and ideological diversity will crown our new organization so as to provide a space for growth as global citizens and as scholars. I look forward to the years ahead of us, and whatever projects and discussions in which we involve ourselves.