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66 articles published

D-Day: The Decision That Wasn’t

My Next ThoughtMay 2, 20252KViews 2Likes 0Comments

Yesterday, millions of students across the world committed to a U.S. college or university. Some are still buzzing with joy - they got into the school they dreamed of. Others are quietly nursing disappointment, trying to make peace with the one they didn’t. For most, the emotions are more complicated than they expected. Here’s what…

When Belonging Becomes Conditional

My Next ThoughtApril 25, 20252KViews 2Likes 0Comments

When I arrived in the U.S. as an international student 33 years ago, the world felt open. Studying abroad wasn’t just about earning a degree — it was about challenging ideas, expanding perspectives, and belonging to a global conversation. The United States, I believed, was a place where anyone, regardless of nationality, ethnicity, or background, could learn, contribute,…

When Revenue Becomes the Religion

My Next ThoughtApril 18, 20252KViews 2Likes 0Comments

On my recent visit to India, a high school counselor shared the story of one of her bright students, who seemingly is caught in an agent’s web and is considering a suspicious admissions offer from a reputable university overseas. Suspicious because the agent is demanding, among other things, backdated letters from the high school. At…

Counseling Isn’t Broken—It’s Just Incomplete

My Next ThoughtApril 11, 20252KViews 2Likes 0Comments

I’ve been traveling across India for the past two weeks—just as I have for the last 15 years—visiting high schools, speaking with students, engaging with counselors, and connecting with school leaders. Every visit reminds me why I do this work: the energy in the auditoriums, the dreams in students’ eyes, and the genuine desire among…

The Math Ain’t Mathing: It’s Time to Rewrite the Equation in International Education

My Next ThoughtApril 4, 20252KViews 1Like 0Comments

2+2, 3+1, or even the new and improved 3.5+1.5… regardless of how you add it up, the math ain’t mathing. Those of us in international education share a common purpose: to help students see beyond borders and connect with the world. But much of our field still operates from a Global North perspective—shaped by systems with…

The Illusion of Meritocracy: Are We Measuring Privilege or Potential?

My Next ThoughtMarch 28, 20252KViews 1Like 0Comments

Standardized tests have long been sold as the great equalizer—a clean, quantifiable measure of merit. A simple solution to a complex question: Who deserves access to higher education? But anyone who has taken these tests—or helped students navigate them—knows that promise is deeply flawed. We’re not measuring potential; we’re measuring proximity to privilege. A perfect…

Wasting Time Wisely: A Fresh Perspective on Education and Success

My Next ThoughtMarch 21, 20252KViews 1Like 0Comments

“The secret to life is to waste time in ways that you like.” Ah, such profound wisdom from a great philosopher. Was it Socrates, Confucius, or maybe Nietzsche? Nah, today's profound wisdom comes from a different kind of sage—Jerry Seinfeld. Not exactly ancient wisdom, but it’s the most refreshing truth in a world obsessed with productivity,…

Jugaad: Why Resourcefulness Is Still The Secret To Success

My Next ThoughtMarch 14, 20252KViews 1Like 0Comments

I landed in Lawrence, Kansas, in January 1992 with $92 in my pocket and a deal with my father—if he funded my first two semesters of tuition, I’d figure out the rest. Being 18 and foolish has its advantages, I suppose. I had no idea how I would pull it off, but I had a…

When History Rhymes: Reflections from AIEA

BlogMarch 12, 20251KViews 1Like 0Comments

Written by Girish C. Ballolla Founder & CEO – Gen Next Education As I walked the halls of the AIEA conference last week, surrounded by international education leaders from around the world, there was an undercurrent of tension that felt both familiar and unsettling. The conversations, whether over a meal or during panel discussions, often drifted back…

The Bully Pulpit or Just a Bully? Leadership in a Globalized World

My Next ThoughtMarch 6, 20252KViews 1Like 0Comments

I still remember the first time I heard the term "bully pulpit." What a weird way to describe the presidency, I thought. To me, a pulpit was a place of influence, where leaders spoke with purpose and conviction. But a bully? That implied force, coercion—maybe even intimidation. Later, I learned that Theodore Roosevelt meant it as a compliment,…

Gumption, Grit, and A Global Mindset: Preparing Future-Ready Leaders

My Next ThoughtFebruary 28, 20252KViews 1Like 0Comments

“You, my friend, have gumption,” said Jim Long, Director of the Kansas Union at the University of Kansas. Gumption? As someone for whom English is a fourth language, it sounded almost ominous, a word I’d never encountered before. But standing in his office that morning, I could tell it was perhaps something positive, a compliment even.…

The Lost Art of Grit: Building Resilience in the Age of AI

My Next ThoughtFebruary 21, 20252KViews 1Like 0Comments

As we drove past the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) campus in Bangalore a couple of weeks ago, I was transported back to the summer of 1991, when I would ride my motorcycle to the library, find a quiet corner, and pore over the only copy of Peterson’s Guide in the entire city. It was…