March 10, 2024
Facing Grand Challenges
The Grand Challenges Impact Lab is named as such for many reasons. The students tackle tough problems that don’t have easy, simple, or straightforward answers, such as issues of water scarcity, waste management, and health. These grand challenges are complex, and the solutions require a deep understanding of the root causes, the systems and stakeholders, and the people most affected. But the students don’t just tackle grand challenges around them. They also tackle grand challenges within themselves. They have to make sense of a new culture, embrace change and flexibility, adapt to their new surroundings, form systems of support away from their home and family, deal with sickness, and manage a demanding schedule with deliverables for both the class and the organizations with which they are partnered.
I was privileged to walk alongside them and mentor them through this journey. When the students first arrived, I loved seeing India with fresh eyes again, as I watched how amazed they were at the vibrant colours, the cows in the street, the auto rickshaws, Indian hospitality, and the friendly street dogs. When they started to miss home, I could relate to the feeling of missing what is comfortable and familiar.
Throughout their journey, I faced grand challenges of my own. The biggest challenge was managing my time. With a nine-month-old daughter at home, I wanted to make sure I was not missing out on precious time with her. Each morning was a race against the clock, where I would wake up at 5 am so I could get a run in, then walk the dog, wake up Baby at 7 am, feed her and get some time with her before rushing out the door by 8 am. There were times when I definitely felt inadequate to manage my home and family, my health, and the GCIL program. Many difficulties arose that made me feel even more overwhelmed, such as when my daughter went through a sleep regression and was waking up every night, when the students and I got sick multiple times, when relationship conflicts needed to be resolved, when money transfers were delayed, or when the class schedule frequently needed to be changed at the last minute. But I am so thankful for these obstacles, because looking back, I can see how much I have grown from them. Now I am less surprised when things go awry and am able to manage conflict and unexpected difficulties with more confidence, ease, and effectiveness. Managing the GCIL program has definitely been demanding and uncomfortable, but I am so grateful for the way that it has expanded the limits of my comfort zone.
Thankfully, the success of the program didn’t rest on my shoulders, nor did I face the challenges alone. No challenge should be tackled alone, because we are created for community and we need each other. I am so thankful to all the people who developed and pioneered the course before I came along. I learned so much from Professor Julian who consistently brings his creativity and critical thinking to continuously improve the course. He excels at refining the projects and ideas of the students. When I would have said, “Great job,” or a least, “Good enough,” Professor Julian instead says, “It can be better.” Though this can be frustrating, I have seen how his dedicated hours of feedback to the students results in amazing presentations and projects. I am grateful to Sneha and Navita for all their work coordinating logistics, translating, and being there for the students. Professor Deborah, Professor Ashutosh, and Dr. Arushi have been a blessing, stepping in to help just when I was feeling overwhelmed. The organizations and visiting speakers that we partner with are a huge asset to the students’ learning experience, and I love working with them.
And my biggest thanks goes to the students who make every challenge worth it. I’m so proud of how they’ve embraced the adventure of living in India and have persevered in their endeavors of addressing grand challenges. I know they will go on to do great things. Seeing them develop their ideas has given me hope that we can make a difference, finding creative solutions for the most vulnerable communities. Doing challenging things is always worthwhile, and persevering through the trials makes the success even sweeter.
By Kaylea
GCIL final presentations
GCIL students, Andoni and Monika, with my daughter, Kinara