The Brown & White

I learned a great deal about the university's efforts toward globalization when I was Editor in Chief of The Brown and White. Since then, Lehigh has decided to implement a "Required International Experience" for future students.

Globalization, to me, is the connection of people and ideas on a worldwide scale.

It represents the surfacing of a global society where political, cultural and economic events in part of the world rapidly have meaning for people across other regions.

Globalization is the outcome of developments in transportation, communication and information. It is humanity's expression of the increasing links between nations, businesses, individuals and communities.

In mid-January, when most Lehigh students returned to Bethlehem for the spring semester, I embarked on a 10-day journey into a land that bridges Europe, Asia and Africa - a hub of Christianity, Islam and Judaism.

It is in this place that I witnessed firsthand what I now consider the single best idea toward pushing a more diverse outlook on students.

I went on the Taglit-Birthright Israel trip mainly to learn about what it means to be a Jew. This experience is offered to individuals between age 18 and 26 who have never been on an organized, peer trip to Israel.

Birthright is a Zionist organization, which means it supports the idea of a homeland for the Jewish people. The association aims to strengthen applicants' connections to Israel and provide them with a platform for exploring their Jewish identities.

Therefore, Birthright is an opportunity for young Jewish adults to experience Israel. The intention is to narrow the separation between Israel and Diaspora Jews throughout the world.

While the trip is free, young Jews from across the world help fuel an economy heavily reliant on tourism.

These participants leave feeling a significantly stronger connection to a group of people persecuted by so many cultures throughout history.

Critics could claim that Birthright is simply a propaganda trip, but I would say I learned more in those 10 days than I have in a long time.

The history of the country is closely connected with not only world history, but also the history of our own nation. Group members learn political and cultural history from on site tour guides.

We were taken to Independence Hall in Tel Aviv, a place which could reasonably be considered a bomb shelter, where the Israeli Declaration of Independence was signed as many neighboring Arab countries prepared to invade the next day.

As I became connected with others on the trip, I realized what many of us valued most about our experience was the time shared with the soldiers.

Military service is required for Jews in Israel and because of this obligation, people our age are forced to mature quickly. One day, an Israeli woman my age could be dealing with a Palestinian border conflict in Gaza and the next day she could be hanging out with our American group on the bus.

As we toured alongside these soldiers to learn the history and culture of the nation, we discovered the pride of its people.

At the same time, we helped remind the soldiers of the meaning of living in Israel and why it is important.

By hanging out with us, the soldiers realized what they sometimes take for granted in their daily lives living in the Middle East and they were reminded of why they are doing their service.

Essentially my group, filled with American Jews learned from the Israeli Jews who, in turn, learned from us.

The Americans, including myself, noticed that although these soldiers are forced into service at a young age and have memories of their parents putting gas masks over their heads in the 1991 Gulf War, they still use Facebook and laugh at "yo momma" jokes.

Globalization can seem like a term so vast (and almost intimidating) but it actually applies to individuals that can make a difference.

As a student at Lehigh, I know I took strides on this trip that changed my life and I am happy knowing the university is going to take a more hands-on approach to induce globalization in all of its students.

Rich Shanfeld is a senior journalism major. He is editor in chief emeritus and the J1 adviser for The Brown and White.