Opinion | The Harvard in Trump’s mind bears little resemblance to reality
Far from being a liberal mess, the university offers an invaluable space for the lively exchange of ideas and stellar academic research
In high school, we learned about Ivy League institutions and, like other nerdy kids across the planet, I dreamed about being a student at Harvard and being immersed in deep conversations about the most crucial questions concerning human existence. Fast forward 20-something years and, after earning a PhD and a teaching position at a different university, I received an invitation to Harvard.
The Centre for European Studies invited me as a visiting scholar to give guest lectures about current European affairs. The invitation explicitly stated Harvard wanted me to immerse myself in the academic community, meeting people from around the world and exchanging ideas with faculty and students alike.
This engagement is the mission of Harvard, not some side effect that happens while pursuing a degree. As someone at my centre put it, Harvard’s strength is its convening power. It strives to bridge differences by academic inquiry, which in my opinion transcends religion, culture or politics.
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