Discovering Global Horizons: A Session with Concordia College, Minnesota
By Humera Siddiqui
DP – 2
School Captain
“Education is not the learning of facts, but the training of the mind to think globally.” This quote resonated deeply across the classroom of Eastern Public School on Monday, November 9, 2025, as students gathered for an insightful session titled “Discover Global Education with Steve Schaefer & Saqib Siddiqui.”
Jointly organized by Concordia College, Minnesota, and the KAN Education Network, the session invited DP students to look beyond conventional classroom learning and imagine themselves as part of a truly interconnected world.
Representing Concordia College, Mr. Steve Schaefer offered students an engaging glimpse into life in Minnesota, a state known for its warmth, inclusivity, and community-driven culture. He described Concordia’s dedication to holistic education, where values of faith, inquiry, and service are interwoven with academic excellence. The presentation covered practical details such as IB score requirements, scholarship opportunities, and diverse academic pathways, particularly in agriculture, health care, and the liberal arts.
What left the greatest impression, however, was the emphasis on Concordia’s religiously inclusive environment and its mission to nurture global citizens; students who think critically, empathize deeply, and contribute meaningfully to their communities. He mentioned how Concordia isn’t just about earning a degree, but about the community spirit, with two mandatory projects to develop holistically.
Adding further dimension to the discussion, Mr. Saqib Siddiqui from the KAN Education Network guided students through the often-intimidating U.S. admissions process. With calm clarity, he explained how to approach college essays, scholarship applications, and university choices, breaking them down into achievable steps. His advice reminded students that higher education abroad is not an unattainable dream but a journey that begins with self-awareness and preparation.
The room filled with laughter and lighthearted energy when Mr. Schaefer introduced Concordia’s mascot, Kernel the Cob, a cheerful cob of corn that symbolizes the college’s Minnesota heritage and captures Minnesota’s agricultural heritage and Concordia’s strong sense of community. Beyond its humor, the mascot symbolizes the college’s pride in its roots and its commitment to values that last. Representing Concordia College, Minnesota, Mr. Schaefer shared how the institution blends tradition with innovation, reflecting the spirit of a state where fields of corn stand beside centers of research and learning. He spoke about Concordia’s academic excellence across agriculture, health care, and the liberal arts, all grounded in a philosophy of faith, inquiry, and service. The college’s ethos encourages students to grow not just in knowledge but in empathy, preparing them to use their education in meaningful, globally aware ways.
By the end of the session, students left not only informed but inspired, equipped with a renewed sense of purpose and a broader perspective of what learning can mean.
English educator Saman Rais Siddiqui ma’am described it as “a wonderful opportunity that offered students clarity on why to choose the United States for higher education, the advantages it offers, and most importantly, how to navigate the application process.” Her words perfectly summed up the essence of the event, a blend of inspiration, practicality, and genuine guidance for young learners ready to explore their next academic chapter.
At Eastern Public School, sessions like these transcend traditional academics. They remind us that being learners is not just about acquiring knowledge but about connecting, questioning, and imagining ourselves as contributors to a shared global future, the very essence of the IB programme.
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