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The New Global Student by Maya Frost |
| Tuesday, June 09, 2009 |
Blog post #2 tonight an hour after the other one...I read an interesting book review today in the USA Today this morning. It is doubly interesting since I knew this book was coming out soon (I have known about it since the early stages). The article is titled: “She raised 'global students,' and you can, too,” by Greg Toppo.
The book Greg Toppo reviews is, “The New Global Student: Skip the SAT, Save Thousands on Tuition, and Get a Truly International Education,” is written by my friend, Maya Frost, and published by Random House. It is priced at around only $10 in paperback on Amazon. Cool! Now who is headed overseas to study who can't afford that?
In the book, Maya Frost details interviews she had with many high school kids and others who have had an international experience. In addition, she reflects on her 4 daughters who have done that as well and quite uniquely I might add. At least one of her daughters has climbed Machu Picchu, snowboarded in the Andes, danced in Brazil's Carnival, kayaked among whales in the South Atlantic, hiked the glaciers of Patagonia, and participated in festive events the day Italy won the World Cup. And they are all graduating from college early it seems and with many more interesting and engaging experiences than traditional students here in North America might encounter. See the article or the book for more details. It will amaze you!
Much sound advice provided in this book for those thinking about traveling abroad for part of their education. I wish my son would have had a chance to read this before going to Seville, Spain last fall (he was a college junior). Perhaps he would not have gotten mugged in Paris the first night and lost all his credit cards. Perhaps he would not have run out of money his last day in Barcelona, Spain and not had to borrow money from people on the street in order to get home...but that is another story. Oh, all those problems thanks to Ryan Air and their extra baggage charges!
From the perspective of an educational psychologist (my former occupation), Maya's book focuses on learning in a meaningful and personal way. I know from experience that years in high school can be a highly wasted experience. Now Maya points to the need to be bolder! When asked about the "bold school" approach in the USA Today interview, she stated that, "The bold-school approach is an advantageous and affordable alternative to the old four-by-four model (four years of high school, four years of college). Bold-schoolers are gliding into the global economy at 20 with a red-hot U.S. or Canadian college diploma, a blazing sense of direction and no debt. These students graduate early because they have tremendous enthusiasm for learning — and they don't wait for someone to tell them what to do next."
This enthusiasm for learning helps the kids graduate early while also enjoying life. According to Maya, by finding their own way in the world and their own competencies and gifts, kids can "leapfrog over their test-dazed classmates." So true!
As background, in 2005, Maya and her family moved from the USA to Mexico and then to Buenos Aires. Maya and I have been corresponding about our respective book projects for nearly 2 years now (in Facebook, email, MSN, and regular mail). Initially, she was going to interview me but instead we have exchanged ideas and drafts of our unfolding book projects with each other's book and generally supported each other in the long and arduous book writing process; not a lot of support, but when needed. She finished her project first and her book just came out. Mine is next! Smile. Good luck to Maya Frost and her great book, "The New Global Student." |
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| 4 Comments: |
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Sounds like an interesting book, and affordable price, too. It is so nice to have support in the writing process.
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I agree. I could use some now in writing an e-book extension to my World is Open book. Smile Lori!
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Thanks for the write-up of what looks like a great book. I ordered it and can't wait to read it. My second child, now 19, was born in Honduras where we lived for several years. But I've been back in the US and involved in distance learning for quite a few years now. Maybe I should move south again. Buenos Aires sounds nice!
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Yes, it does sound nice Peter. Let me know if you go.
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Sounds like an interesting book, and affordable price, too. It is so nice to have support in the writing process.