April 11, 2024
from Dr. Bill Hudson, head of school
Over spring break, I traveled to South Korea and China to meet with parents, students, teachers, and educators in both countries. The trip’s purpose was to further enhance our school’s commitment to global responsibility and awareness. I first traveled to South Korea with Cory Becker-Kim, MPA’s international student program coordinator, to establish a stronger presence in the Korean educational marketplace and introduce MPA to interested students and parents. Our goal there was to showcase the unique approach to education that defines MPA: a holistic, experiential, liberal arts education that nurtures the whole child.
In China, I had the privilege of visiting eight schools and one university and met with a number of school leaders and educational officials. Throughout my visit, I enjoyed engaging in profound discussions about the future of education and the importance of global citizenship. I was struck by the genuine interest in our educational approach, particularly our focus on fostering global responsibility and citizenship.
Global responsibility is a key anchor of our school’s mission statement. It is also part of the first priority of 2024ward, our strategic plan: “Empowering students to live, learn, and thrive in today’s complex, global society.” This commitment is rooted in our belief that we must prepare our students for the world that awaits them—a world that demands global thinking, effective communication, and responsible contributions.
At MPA, our approach to fostering global responsibility is multifaceted:
- We cultivate an appreciation and understanding of diverse cultures, fostering empathy, respect, and tolerance.
- We empower students to analyze complex global issues, enhancing their critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
- We promote the idea of global citizenship, encouraging students to take action to address global challenges.
- We prepare students for future careers in a globalized workforce by equipping them with the necessary skills and knowledge.
- We educate students about global issues, human rights, and sustainable development, contributing to a more peaceful and sustainable world.
- We prepare students to live and work in multicultural societies by helping them develop communication, collaboration, and cultural competency skills.
As I’ve shared previously, establishing a formal partnership between MPA and a school in China has been under consideration for nearly two years. I am pleased to share that MPA is currently forging a partnership with Vanke Meisha Academy (VMA) a Chinese international school located in Shenzhen, China.
I’ve had the pleasure of spending significant time at VMA, making two trips to Shenzhen to scrutinize VMA, and have gotten to know their school, administration, and teachers very well. In addition, several MPA administrators and teachers took part in a series of virtual meetings to further evaluate the compatibility between the two schools. I am confident that VMA is a good match for MPA and am excited about establishing a formal partnership.
VMA is widely regarded as one of the top independent schools in Asia based on the quality of students, faculty, and college acceptance records. For instance, two VMA students just received admission from the University of Cambridge this month, continuing the trend of having students from VMA receive admission from Cambridge, Oxford, and Ivy League universities in the U.S. Its curriculum is closely aligned with MPA and broadly reflects a liberal arts education.
A partnership with VMA will have many advantages:
- Cultural exchange opportunities that allow students, faculty, and staff from both schools to learn about Chinese or American culture, language, and traditions firsthand.
- Collaborate on educational projects, exchange teaching methods, and share resources, enriching the learning experience for students and teachers alike at both schools.
- Networking opportunities for students, teachers, and administrators, potentially leading to future collaborations and partnerships.
- Enhanced professional development opportunities for faculty and staff for both schools.
- Provide joint courses when feasible.
- Increasing Chinese international students attending MPA.
The partnership with VMA will deepen our commitment to global responsibility and will help students gain a broader perspective on global issues and develop a deeper understanding of different cultures and viewpoints by interacting with students from another country.
I strongly feel that we have an obligation to prepare our students for the fast-paced, ever-changing world that is theirs, including the ability to think globally, communicate effectively, and contribute responsibly. Fostering global responsibility is essential for preparing students to thrive in an increasingly interconnected and interdependent world where global challenges require global solutions.
I’m happy to offer three opportunities to learn more about this exciting partnership:
- The leadership of VMA will be visiting MPA the week of April 29-May 3. Watch for an invitation to an informal reception with them sometime that week. More information will be forthcoming.
- I also invite you to join me for one of two special HeadSpace gatherings to learn more about global education and the partnership with VMA. Mark your calendars for Tuesday, April 16 at 8:15 AM in the Martin Lenz Harrison Library or Wednesday, April 24 at 3:15 PM, also in the Martin Lenz Harrison Library.
Together, we are building a brighter future—one that is interconnected, inclusive, and empowered by global responsibility.
Cultural Celebration Day
If you’ve walked the halls this week, you undoubtedly noticed the flags from countries around the world adorning the hallways. Today, we celebrate the many cultures and people that form the mosaic that is MPA. The Cultural Celebration, sponsored by the MPA Parents Association, is an opportunity for MPA families to share the food, clothing, art, and traditions of their culture and family and for all MPA families to learn more about one another. Our commitment to global responsibility starts here at MPA, by fostering an appreciation of the diverse cultures represented in our own community.
