International Education: The Advantages of Studying Abroad

International Education Abroad

The intercultural advantages of studying abroad are often assumed. However, as explained in Chapter 2, "The Challenge of Learning across Difference: Employing the Elephant and the Blind Man," such advantages cannot be assumed. International education does offer the participating students to observe a new culture and interact with individuals of differing cultural backgrounds. However, these interactions are filled with potential problems and a seemingly good effort to learn about another culture can backfire, creating resentment on both sides.

For example, the author focuses upon the tendency of individuals to focus upon perceiving the world through the limited lens of their cultural understanding. It is natural for each of us to assume that our way is the correct way to view and understand the world, particularly when we spend most of our lives surrounded by individuals who believe the same thing. However, as the parable of the elephant and the blind man shows, individual position and perspective can radically influence perception, causing different persons to see the objective world very differently.

Certainly, international education would appear to offer a solution to the existence of divergent perspectives. By moving to a new location and learning a new culture, one can gain a better understanding of how members of that culture view the world. However, it is important to remember that immersion in a new culture creates a distance between the traveler and his or her own culture. As a student in Canada, I've felt this distance personally. To fit in, one has to learn the language, adopt similar interests to those living locally and try to blend in through personal dress. The failure to at least in some ways emulate the behaviors and appearance of the local students can lead the international student to feel ostracized. Feeling isolated and alone, that student is likely to form negative opinions about the new culture and to subsequently project an image that helps to create a negative view in the minds of the locals. If this occurs, then the supposed intercultural benefits of international education do not surface and intercultural relations may actually be harmed.

The author also raises an interesting point about the widespread nature of the English language. Certainly, English is the "current global language or language of commerce" (Tarc, p. 28). The diffusion of English around the world does aid in intercultural communication. However, it can also create problems, such as the perception of English as somehow superior, a perspective that can then be expanded to include English-speaking cultures or Western culture in general.

Ultimately, I still believe that international education offers many important benefits by introducing students to a new people and culture. However, as this chapter demonstrates, one should not be naive about the potential challenges that are likely to arise during any educational exchange. Any educator involved in international education must be prepared to address the mental, structural, linguistic and existential barriers of learning across cultural boundaries. In addition, any student considering an international education program should engage in a careful self-assessment to set expectations and prepare for likely challenges.

References

Tarc, P. International education in global times: Engaging the pedagogic. New York: Peter Lang.