Stay Rooted, But Aim High

During my time in Taiwan as part of the Fulbright International Education Administrators Program, I encountered a phrase etched into the windows on the 101st floor of Taipei 101: “Stay rooted but aim high.” At first, it felt like a simple and inspiring message. As the program continued, it became something more. It gave me a way to make sense of what I was experiencing and how I want to approach this work moving forward.

Taiwan offers an incredible landscape for international collaboration. Across two weeks, we engaged with a wide range of institutions, including flagship research universities, specialized programs in healthcare and technology, and campuses deeply connected to industry and community. We also saw strong government support for higher education and global engagement, with clear investments in funding, infrastructure, and internationalization efforts. There is a real sense of momentum, and it is compelling...