Q&A: Global Perspectives With PolyGlobal’s Rick Caragher

Rick Caragher: It’s an exciting time—we have a new group of global scholars and many events. With seniors being particularly busy toward the end of fall, we’ve focused mostly on daytime activities, and recently had a special event with a Cambodian genocide survivor.

RC: Absolutely. On November 3 we hosted Arn Chorn-Pond, a truly inspiring speaker. Every year or so, he shares his story with us. As a child, Arn survived the Khmer Rouge regime in Cambodia—a harrowing experience he details in his book, “Never Fall Down.” After fleeing to a refugee camp and eventually being adopted in the U.S., Arn faced the challenge of assimilation, often encountering prejudice. His determination led him back to Cambodia, where he founded Cambodian Living Arts to help revive the arts that were nearly eradicated.

RC: During our PolyGlobal programs to Cambodia, students have the unique opportunity to meet and work with Arn and his organization. It’s a powerful, eye-opening experience for them to see how arts can contribute to healing and cultural revival.

RC: We take a deep dive into understanding the realities of genocide, starting with Rwanda. Our students have engaged with survivors, like Dydine Umunyana Anderson, who bravely shared her story and a personal blog post. We’ve also brought in scholars like Dr. Sarah Brown, who researched not just men’s roles, but women’s roles in the genocide—as perpetrators, bystanders, and rescuers. It’s important that our students understand the complexities, the so-called “choiceless choices,” that people face.

RC: We recently had an interview session with the U.S. Ambassador to Rwanda Eric W. Kneedler. He discussed his diplomatic journey, the difference between career diplomats and political appointees, and some of the ethical challenges diplomats face, which sparked plenty of thoughtful discussion among our students about integrity and compromise in public service.

RC: We have three exciting spring break trips: Cambodia, focusing on genocide studies and the arts; South Africa, where students partner with a township education group to learn about entrepreneurship and problem-solving; and Japan, including a home stay in Nirayama. There’s also a summer French immersion trip to Burgundy and Paris, and a Taiwan trip with a week of language immersion and exploration of indigenous cultures.

RC: Having someone on the inside—like Patricia Levin in Argentina or our contacts in Burgundy—makes all the difference. It allows our students to engage with communities in a deeper, more authentic way. Language immersion and adaptability are key; travel isn’t just tourism, it’s about building real understanding and resilience.

RC: Our hope is that these experiences help students grow academically and personally. Planning is always a challenge, but seeing students gain new perspectives and confidence makes it well worth it.