I absolutely agree. Especially since on so many campuses, the international students in the classroom are only those who are in the highest social class in their own country and thus can afford full tuition to a US institution. Often these students themselves contribute prejudicial or elitist conceptions of the world. Having just traveled abroad myself for several months and engaged with many different kinds of people, the intentionality required for a truly "global" experience abroad is particularly clear.
Magid - 2 years ago
I am always puzzled when I hear folks believe that by having more int'l students in the classroom or sending students abroad will per se "encourage students to gain a global perspective." How?
It does not surprise me that the majority of respondents to this survey also believe in this myth. Just Au contraire! Relying on sheer int'l presence may back fire and many of our students leave their classrooms with reinforced stereotypes and perhaps a few additional misunderstandings.
I absolutely agree. Especially since on so many campuses, the international students in the classroom are only those who are in the highest social class in their own country and thus can afford full tuition to a US institution. Often these students themselves contribute prejudicial or elitist conceptions of the world. Having just traveled abroad myself for several months and engaged with many different kinds of people, the intentionality required for a truly "global" experience abroad is particularly clear.
I am always puzzled when I hear folks believe that by having more int'l students in the classroom or sending students abroad will per se "encourage students to gain a global perspective." How?
It does not surprise me that the majority of respondents to this survey also believe in this myth. Just Au contraire! Relying on sheer int'l presence may back fire and many of our students leave their classrooms with reinforced stereotypes and perhaps a few additional misunderstandings.