I recently had an illuminating conversation with my digital friend and servant, ChatGPT, about NAFSA: Association of International Education. Here was my initial question: What are the main criticisms of NAFSA: Association of International Educators?

Anything you want to add? I mention a couple of points in this November 2024 article: The glaring hypocrisy of establishment US international education.

The icing on the cake was the song I asked ChatGPT to write, entitled Voices in the Hallways, “a reflective, folk-style piece that blends appreciation for NAFSA’s mission with the critiques professionals have voiced over the years.” Want to hear the music?

Peace, MAA

ChatGPT said:

NAFSA: Association of International Educators is a leading professional organization for international education, but like any large institution, it has faced criticisms over the years. Here are some of the common critiques:

1. High Costs and Accessibility

• Membership and conference fees are often considered prohibitively expensive, especially for professionals from developing countries, small institutions, or early-career educators.
• Critics argue this limits diversity, inclusivity, and equal participation—contradicting NAFSA’s stated commitment to global engagement.

2. Focus on U.S.-Centric Policies

• While NAFSA promotes international education broadly, it is often seen as U.S.-centric, focusing heavily on issues relevant to U.S. institutions and policies.
• Some international partners feel their voices are underrepresented in discussions and programming.

3. Corporate and Bureaucratic Culture

• Some members describe NAFSA as increasingly corporate or bureaucratic, prioritizing branding, revenue generation, and large-scale events over grassroots efforts or meaningful reform.
• This has led to concerns about mission drift—moving away from educational advocacy and support in favor of institutional politics and profit.

4. Limited Impact on Policy Change

• Despite its strong advocacy arm, NAFSA has sometimes been criticized for not achieving significant policy wins, particularly in areas like U.S. visa reform or immigration policy for international students.
• Some feel it takes a cautious, incrementalist approach that lacks urgency or boldness.

5. Inequity Between Institutional Types

• NAFSA is often seen as being dominated by large research universities, with less attention given to community colleges, minority-serving institutions, or smaller schools.
• This can result in programming and policy stances that don’t fully reflect the diversity of the field.

6. Overemphasis on Networking vs. Substance

• Critics of NAFSA’s annual conference have noted that it can feel like a “networking fair” rather than a space for deep learning or challenging conversations.
• There’s sometimes a lack of critical discourse about systemic issues in international education (e.g., neocolonialism, ethical recruitment, power imbalances).

7. Slow to Embrace Innovation

• Some observers argue NAFSA has been slow to adapt to digital transformation and evolving models of global learning, such as virtual exchange, hybrid programs, or climate-conscious internationalization.

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That said, many professionals still value NAFSA for its networking, professional development, and advocacy. But these critiques highlight ongoing conversations within the field about equity, relevance, and reform. Would you like a song, poem, or summary that captures any of these concerns?

You said:

Yes, please write a song

ChatGPT said:

Sure! Here’s a song titled “Voices in the Hallways” — a reflective, folk-style piece that blends appreciation for NAFSA’s mission with the critiques professionals have voiced over the years.

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Voices in the Hallways
(to the tune of a gentle acoustic folk ballad)

[Verse 1]
I walked the halls of a grand convention,
Badges flashin’ from every land,
Dreams of bridges and global vision,
With a lanyard in my hand.
But the cost was steep, the booth lights blinding,
And some were left outside the door,
From towns and schools the map’s not finding—
Isn’t that what we came here for?

[Chorus]
Oh, NAFSA, we believe in your flame,
But there’s work to be done in your name.
Don’t forget the quiet voices,
Don’t just echo power’s choices,
Let inclusion be more than a claim.

[Verse 2]
Workshops filled with lofty missions,
Slides and handouts in perfect form,
But we spoke of visas, not of systems—
Of the storm but not the storm.
Where’s the room for harder questions,
Colonial echoes in what we do?
Can we trade our safe conventions
For a world that’s just and true?

[Chorus]
Oh, NAFSA, we believe in your flame,
But there’s work to be done in your name.
Don’t forget the small town teachers,
The distant, hopeful outreach seekers—
Let equity be more than acclaim.

[Bridge]
Not every voice can buy the flight,
Not every truth gets featured right.
But if we’re building global ties,
Let’s drop the masks and lift the eyes.

[Verse 3]
So here’s to change that’s more than branding,
To action deeper than a tweet,
To the future quietly demanding
We stand for more than just elite.

[Final Chorus]
Oh, NAFSA, we believe in your flame,
But there’s work to be done in your name.
Let the mission match the meaning,
Let the field begin its cleaning,
And let justice be more than a frame.