Charlie Soong’s journey to becoming Trinity College’s first international student started when he stowed away a steamer from China and came to the United States in search of a better life.  One hundred and fifty years later, his story of a bright, adventurous young person hungry to explore and live a life not yet imagined would be somewhat ho-hum. In his speech today at the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), Duke President Richard H. Brodhead discusses why international education remains essential for developing global and integrated solutions to the world’s problems and needs.  He asks the question: How is the kind of talent we require best developed?
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“American universities of Duke’s type look for evidence of outstanding academic achievement, but we also look for a broader array of powers. We look for signs of leadership, engagement, creativity, and concern for others, not just the ability to do well on tests. Since we believe that interactions among people with different base assumptions make everyone more imaginative, we actively recruit top talent from every aspect of American society and now from around the world.”

To read the full text of President Brodhead’s speech at FICCI, click here.