Feature: The Global Awareness Panel
The Global Awareness Panel is a group of students who represent seven different global regions and act as the voice of the international student body at Rabun Gap.
Rabun Gap has the greatest number of countries represented in the student body this year than ever before. With students from 50 different countries, the need for global and cultural competency has become a priority at the school. As a result of this, the Global Awareness Panel (GAP) was developed. Fifteen Upper School students are chosen to be on the panel each year and represent seven different global regions: Eastern and Central Africa, Latin and South America, North America, Europe, and East Asia. The job of the representatives on the GAP is to act as the voice for the international student body on campus.
“Three years ago, a one-year ASSIST student urged me to take the international club to another level. We did, and the following year we decided to start taking applications to build credibility for the program,” said Director of International Student Programs Ms. Lynda Ann Loring, who serves as faculty advisor for the group.
“Edmundo Ortiz ‘18 was instrumental in organizing the first Global Awareness Panel. We were called the International Student Panel but then felt like we wanted to include domestic students. The group was no longer just about international students but also supporting and learning about the concept of being a global citizen. We changed the name to the Global Awareness Panel (unintentionally 'the GAP'). We have a lot of fun.”
The purpose of the GAP is to promote international communication, maximize the opportunity for cultural exchange among domestic and international students, and make the American cultural experience more enjoyable for the international student population. The group also plans and initiates educational programs for Convocation and cultural exchanges with the Lower and Middle Schools, plans and runs the Upper School International Week, and assists in training faculty and students to be more globally competent.
Recently the group put on a skit during Upper School Convocation to help increase awareness of common stereotypes that both international and domestic students encounter on campus.
Dorothy Akpovwa ‘19 is from Nigeria and serves as secretary for the Gap. When asked about some stereotypes that she has experienced as an international student, she said, “Most people expect that French is my first language and are surprised when they find out that it’s actually English!”
Anja Racic ‘19, a native of Serbia, is the president of the group this year. She has been at Rabun Gap since her freshman year.
Sharing about her experience as an international student at Rabun Gap, Racic said, “It has been truly great. I have met people from over 50 countries. When I first came, I was scared because I did not speak great English but it was comforting to know that I was not the only one who had English as their second language. Being international students gave us an instant group of friends. We all found ways to relate to each other as foreigners in the United States.”
Racic is proud of the impact that the GAP is making on campus.
“The GAP provides international and domestic students with an opportunity to exchange their cultures. I think that the GAP impacts the student body in developing empathy and understanding for each other while embracing their own identities. Rabun Gap is a great representation of how diverse our world is. It is great for students to experience diversity and learn to celebrate each other’s differences,” said Racic.
The GAP is currently preparing for a Middle School enrichment program, the Lower School International Day on December 14, and the Upper School International Week. In anticipation of the holiday season, the GAP is also working on a Christmas carol video in native languages. They continue to work on faculty professional development and native language guidelines.
Vishal Sharma ‘19 is vice president of the GAP and is from India. He is in his fourth year at the school. He feels that a panel like the GAP is a very important part of an international boarding school environment.
“I came to Rabun Gap and didn’t know that many of the countries represented here even existed,” said Sharma. “In my sophomore year, I met one of my best friends who I believe I will be friends with for the rest of my life. He is from Poland and before coming here I didn’t even know that Poland was a country. A panel like this helps to create a bridge between different cultures and traditions; that’s really important in a school like Rabun Gap,”
Ms. Loring is very proud of the growth the GAP has experienced over the last three years and of the good they are doing on campus.
“The work that the students have done and want to do to ensure Rabun Gap functions as a successful global community is impressive,” Ms. Loring said. “The global and cultural competence that our current panel of students possess and desire for our community will be what makes the difference for them in a competitive academic and/or professional environment. I have been privileged to work with such a creative, dedicated and passionate group of people."
Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School
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Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School is a private, coeducational day and boarding school for grades Pre-K through 12. Centrally located between Atlanta, GA, Greenville, SC, and Asheville, NC, we prepare young people for college, career, and a lifetime of leadership and service.
