Southwestern Magazine | Spring 2019

35 SOUTHWESTERN SPRINGBOARDS TO GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP Formany alumni expats, Southwestern provided various springboards to becoming a global citizen—jumping-off points discovered not in a foreign country but, rather, directly on campus and within U.S. borders. Fitzgerald’s international impetus was academically unusual for a chemistry major: literature. “During my first semester at Southwestern, my entire freshman class read Cities on a Hill by Frances FitzGerald,” she recalls. “[It’s] about four radically different communities within America. That book and the discussions that followed sparked my curiosity in other cultures and lifestyles. That curiosity has never left me.” A seventh-generationTexan, MarkMayfield ’76majored in history and Spanish. “I was always interested in inter- national affairs, other cultures, and different languages,” he explains. Mayfield’s theater minor provided another platform on which he could “stand in others’ shoes and understand different ways people look at the world.” History, Spanish, theater—perhapsMayfieldwas always on fire to explore the world. But his studies fanned the flame. “Dr. Bill Jones’s World Civilizations course gave me a sense of the sweep ofworldhistory andhowdifferent cultures are interrelated,” he says. “Studying Spanish . . . and [taking] classes one summer inMexico gave a look at other ways of seeing the world.” Beyond that classroom experience, Mayfield’s university years enhanced his innate curiosity: “Southwestern taught me to tie things together. Every place I go, I want to learn the history, read some of the literature, and hear some of the legends and folktales. You can’t just read the current newspapers and some economic statistics and understand a country—I try to look beyond the surface.” Fanny Tang Cederberg ’06 found that campus social opportunities encouraged her interaction with people of various interests and dialogues. “Themore I putmyself out there,” she says, “the more I am able to relate to a diverse group of people and navigate new experiences.” From learning to rock climb to attending Passover Seder and seeing her first Bollywood film at an International Studies Abroad event, Cederberg’s borders expanded further through Southwestern’s Washington, DC– based study-away program: “I can’t imagine a city in the U.S. with more networking opportunities and cultural activities for looking to establish a life abroad.” Helpful suggestions for preparing to live and work abroad. Learn other languages, and practice in a variety of contexts. “Achieving a high level of proficiency in a foreign language requires an immense deal of dedicated practice,” which native speakers appreciate, says Cederberg. Understanding cultural norms surrounding language is just as important, she adds. Fitzgerald agrees: “If I could do it all again, I would invest the time and energy to learn Spanish andMandarin.” Take advantage of job resources. Southwestern’s Center for Career & Profes- sional Development and PirateConnect provide beneficial career preparation and connections for students and alumni. Cederberg remem- bers “cringing as I watched a recording of myself during a practice job interview session, but it resulted in useful feedback.” Embrace “the last three feet of diplomacy,” or person-to-person interaction. “Be willing to talk to people and, more impor- tantly, to listen,” suggests Mayfield. “There’s always more to learn ... and barbers and cab drivers may be able to tell you more about a place than government officials and university professors.” Nurture lifelong curiosity. Whether studying new languages, finding friendships in other countries, or taking on new employment in a foreign land, maintaining wonder at the world and a willingness to connect and learn is crucial to success. “Getting to learn about new places and adapting to new cultures are wonderful opportunities, and you have to always stay in learning mode. It’s tough to learn a new skill set with a new cast of characters every few years, but it’s gratifying to master the challenge,” says Mayfield. English, Spanish, Mandarin, Portuguese, Arabic, Chinese LANGUAGES SPOKEN BY FITZGERALD, CEDERBERG, AND MAYFIELD FINDING YOUR FEET AS A GLOBAL CITIZEN