...inspired by my forthcoming book and where I share ideas at the intersection of education, migration, immigration, and a bit of culture…music, writing, literature, and, yes, policy. All the different ways in which the U.S. influences the world and the world influences America. I will bring you stories of everyday people--international students, immigrant Americans, and those abroad--for whom an American education has helped forge a bond. I am also a proud Indian American and some--but certainly not all--of my content will draw upon India and the Indian diaspora. If you know me then you also know that women's issues, history, and travel also interest me and you can expect to hear about all of these and their intersection. And because I am a researcher and numbers person at heart, I will also bring you a Stunning Statistic in each issue. This month is Women’s History Month and March 8 was also International Women’s Day and so I’ll be writing and focusing a lot on women this month. Stay tuned for a historical perspective in the next issue!

• Books: I recently read Laila Lalami's powerful Conditional Citizens: On belonging in America. This is one of the best books I have read that tackles head-on all the issues--religion, race, economics, gender--that intersect in ways that make many American citizens less-than or "conditional," as Lalami put it. A deeply researched book, the author combines her own experience as an immigrant with that of history and evidence to reveal the layers of prejudice in America.

• The Presidents' Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration launched a new and exciting portal that brings together data and resources on all immigration issues affecting higher education--DACA, international students and scholars, and refugees. [Full disclosure: I am delighted to have partnered with the alliance on the international student piece]

• A new survey and report by the Pew Research Center shows the American public's negative perceptions of Chinese international students are on the rise.

• In honor of International Women's Day, I'm sharing my article, Leaving Home, Finding a Voice: Young Women Crossing Borders