The World's Global Classroom

For many of us, virtual reality experiences are few and far between. And the ones we encounter typically involve gaming. But for two Palestinian artists, virtual reality means more than entertainment — it’s cultural preservation. Their project, titled “Phoenix of Gaza XR”, is currently making its way across a handful of Massachusetts universities, and will tour across the country, in a series of exhibitions, many of which are open to the public. GBH’s Kate Dellis has the story.

Some undocumented parents and students at schools in California and around the country worry that filling out the federal financial aid form, known as FAFSA, will tip off the government to their immigration status. That information isn’t supposed to be shared with other government agencies. But, some say, the new administration means they’re in uncharted waters.

Massachusetts offered free community college to any resident who hasn’t yet earned a bachelor’s degree. The decision has helped many people, but has also created new challenges.

The history of book bans in the US goes back to 1637 but has recently increased dramatically, nearly 200% during the 2023-24 school year. This rise is driven by conservative policies claiming many books have themes that go “against” American history. But are these books really problematic? The World’s Lex Weaver shares her experience attending a banned book symposium hosted by Morgan State University in Havana, Cuba, where authors and historians discussed their worries about the future of education.

Canada has long been an attractive option for international students. It’s seen as a safe and generally non-discriminatory place to study, with impressive schools and post-graduation work rights. But 2024 brought a year of significant changes to the sector. Prospective international students fear an unknown future. The World’s Bianca Hillier reports from Toronto.