Unlocking Potential: The Power of Structured Internships

Join Scott R. Martin as he interviews Dhruva, co-founder of Lumiere and Ladder Internships, in this insightful episode, "Empowering Student Research and Internships with Lumiere". Dhruva shares his personal journey from India to Harvard and how the pandemic inspired him to create platforms that provide high-quality research and internship opportunities for high school students worldwide.

Discover how Lumiere offers structured research experiences and Ladder Internships provides hands-on professional development with startups, helping students gain meaningful skills and build impactful projects. The discussion emphasizes the crucial role of mentorship for students who may not have existing networks, ensuring they receive valuable learning experiences beyond "busy work".

Dhruva details the characteristics of successful interns and researchers: curiosity, passion, and a strong independent work ethic. He explains how these structured programs provide essential guidance and support, enabling students to thrive and develop a meaningful story for their college applications, rather than just ticking boxes. This conversation is a must-listen for high school students and parents looking for transformative educational experiences that can truly shape future trajectories.

To learn more about Dhruva's programs and opportunities:• Lumiere Education (Research Programs):

Visit https://www.lumiere-education.com•

Ladder Internships (Virtual Internships): Visit https://www.ladderinternships.com

Connect with the work that's building futures for ambitious students globally!

In this illuminating episode of the "Global Student Voices Podcast," Coach Martin welcomes Marty Bennett, a veteran and "guru" in international education, to delve into the "Cycles and Future of International Education". Marty, whose own international journey began at age five as an L2 inter-company transfer from the UK to the US in 1974, shares his extensive professional career spanning decades, from Marquette University to his current role as Director of Recruitment and Engagement for the University of Akron.

The discussion provides critical insights into the unprecedented political climate impacting international education today, highlighting issues such as travel bans that have completely cut off pathways for students from certain countries, like Iran, despite their historical presence as a significant student population. Marty also addresses the current "hang-ups" in visa processing, causing significant delays for students from countries like India. He details the impact of anti-immigrant politics and policies that affect free speech on US campuses, noting similarities to the post-9/11 challenges faced by Muslim students.

A key takeaway is the urgent need for institutions to diversify not just where they recruit, but how they deliver education. Marty emphasizes the potential of Transnational Education (TNE), a model where US institutions can offer programs overseas through physical campuses, partnerships, or online delivery, an area where the US currently lags behind countries like the UK and Australia. Despite these challenges, Marty and Coach Martin underscore the immense economic and societal value of international education for the US, fostering interconnectedness and exposing domestic students to global perspectives.

Listeners will also learn about Marty Bennett's invaluable resources: his weekly live chat, audio-only podcast, and newsletter, which provide timely "hot takes" on news, policy changes, and innovative solutions, helping colleagues stay informed and adapt their international education strategies. Coach Martin describes Marty's content as a "cheat sheet" for anyone in the field. This episode is a must-listen for students, educators, and parents seeking to understand the complexities and embrace the future of global education.

Recommended read America Calling by Rajika Bhandari https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08QZ5SKL8

Subscribe to Marty’s weekly news letter on the bottom of the page at: https://smieconsulting.org
Subscribe to Marty's SMIE podcast at : https://smieconsulting.org/subscribe

🎙️ What if actions spoke louder than grades? In this episode of Global Student Voices, Scott Martin interviews Matthew Hayes, founder of Citizens — the platform redefining student achievement by recognizing skills, character, and service alongside academics. Learn how Citizens is helping students, schools, and families showcase what truly matters.

🎧 Free for students. Trusted by top schools. Discover more at www.citizens.co

#StudentVoice #FutureOfEducation #DigitalPortfolio #SkillsBasedLearning #CitizensPlatform

🎙 Welcome to Global Student Voices Season 2 Episode 11— the podcast where we spotlight bold ideas and changemakers shaping the future of education. In this episode, host Scott Martin ("Coach Martin") sits down with Matthew Hayes, Founder of Citizens, a groundbreaking youth development and recognition platform transforming how schools, students, and families define success.

📚 Tired of exams telling only part of the story? Citizens is reimagining education by valuing skills, character, service, and real-world impact alongside traditional academics. Matthew shares how his PhD research in Global Citizenship Education and Youth Skills led to a powerful movement where "Actions Speak Louder Than Grades" and Every Act Counts.

• Why the current education system is broken — and how exams fall short in recognizing true student potential

• How Citizens works: A student-powered platform with stunning digital portfolios, mapped to leading global frameworks (UN SDGs, WEF, McKinsey, Microsoft, and more)

• Citizens Skills 360™ and UN Impact 360: Game-changing tools that give credibility to every student's growth

• Real impact for students, parents, and schools: From UCAS applications to job interviews, leadership development, and whole-child recognition

• AI meets Education: How Citizens is building AI-powered features to support student development and civic engagement

• 🎓 International School Leaders: Want to stand out with your whole-child approach? Discover how Citizens lets you measure and showcase your students’ skills and character development. Join as a founding partner at a discounted rate and lead the change in global education.
  📩 Book a school demo or inquire about founder membership at www.citizens.co

• 👨‍👩‍👧 Parents: Wish universities could see the whole picture of your child? Citizens gives your student a verified digital record of their achievements in and out of the classroom.

• 🧑‍🎓 Students: Build your Skills CV and show the world who you really are. Citizens is completely free for students — start now at www.citizens.co

• 🌐 Website: www.citizens.co

• 🧠 Guest: Matthew Hayes, Founder of Citizens

• 🎙 Host: Scott Martin ("Coach Martin"), Global Student Solutions

• 📄 Coming Soon: Citizens’ Founding White Paper on the research behind the platform’s benchmarks

🔥 Subscribe to Global Student Voices for more bold conversations on how we can create a more equitable, innovative, and future-ready education system for students around the world.
#FutureOfEducation #GlobalCitizenship #StudentDevelopment #CharacterEducation #EducationReform #SkillsBasedLearning #DigitalPortfolio #InternationalSchools #CitizensPlatform #ScottMartin #MatthewHayes #EdTech #IBSchools