An Expert's Perspectives on the Importance of International Education
For many years, students have been traveling to faraway countries in search of higher education. Countries like India, USA, Australia, and the United Kingdom have excellent education and exchange programs for overseas students.
Moreover, there are international schools like Dubai International School in every part of the world meant to cater to expatriate families but also open to locals. ISCResearch estimates that there are over 10,282 international schools, with 5.36 million students across the globe.
The greatest appeal to international education so far has been traveling to a new country and, of course, learning a new language and culture. However, those are not the only benefits.
Bridge Cultural Divides
To begin with, the world has become one global village where people can work and do business from every part of the world. The only way to bridge the cultural and linguistic divide that exists from country to country is international education. With the appreciation of different cultures, religions, and histories, the new generation can transverse borderlines and work together more efficiently.
Asian countries, especially China, have set the trend for this culture by setting base in every country in the world and teaching the new generation English. They have also set up many international schools taught by teachers from all over the world to expose students to all nationalities and cultures.
Increase Employment Opportunities and Exposure
The rate of unemployment is still a big problem in every country. However, international education exposes students to different nationalities, languages, and ideas which come in handy during an employment search. Employers are always on the lookout for open-minded people, risk-takers, and those who can effectively work with all kinds of people.
If such a student doesn't want to be employed, they still have a bright future thanks to the vast exposure in international business. Traveling to other parts of the world expands your mind to new things and new ideas, especially in business.
Improved Basic Skills
Basic skills such as mathematics, sciences, and languages are given so much emphasis by local schools can also benefit from some exposure. Research shows that innovation in international schools promotes basic reading, writing, and arithmetic. Getting a new perspective and a new way of learning common subjects can make learning more enjoyable.
Global Diplomacy
While international education benefits the individual, it also greatly benefits the nation. Governments and employers even sponsor students to go abroad and bring back that international knowledge and credentials. In this global world where companies have to compete on an international level, it helps to have people who bring the skills and capacity to do it well.
Personal Growth
Nothing forces you to grow than being thrown into a different country, far away from your family and friends. Not only do you learn self-reliance but also other ways to solve problems and overcome challenges on your own. Personal skills such as thinking outside the box, resilience, forming relationships, and confidence to survive in a whole other country with different cultures and languages. International students also learn how to adapt to different situation pretty fast because they have no choice. These skills are valuable to you as an individual but also incredibly important to whichever company you will work for.
New Interests
The exposure one gets from studying with people of different nationalities and cultures goes way beyond employment opportunities and business. Students also discover new interests and talents they wouldn't have known if they stayed home. Interests in hair extensions, water sports, and other hobbies have become multi-million businesses by students who went abroad, saw something, and decided to bring it home. Some interests, such as sports, skiing, and hiking, can be non-monetary but will bring you life-long satisfaction.
Diverse Friendships
One of the greatest benefits of international study is meeting and making lifelong friends with diverse people. These connections can become great business networks in the future or just a way to diversify your relationships. With friends from all over the world, you can get advice and different perspectives from different people. If you plan to travel to other nations, the friends you made from those countries can help you make your stay so much easier.
Supporting International Education
The education sector and governments have done their part in supporting global education by making it easier for students to get visas, sponsorships, and programs. Technology is also playing a part in ensuring that people of all nations and classes get equal opportunities to study abroad.
However, students have a huge role to play in all the support of international education. They must fully immerse themselves in different cultures, languages, and perspectives of other people. Besides what they learn in class, students must open their minds to becoming better people and adding value to the country and continent they come from. It's only through such intentional resolve that the global community can work harmoniously.
ALSO READ: Best Tips for Choosing Extracurricular Activities in School