Sunday 7 September 2014

Reader Response draft 1 (Why students need a global awareness and understanding of other cultures)

In Picardo article (2012), he states that it is important for students to have global awareness and better understanding of other cultures. To him, language is an important aspect of a person. He noticed that by interacting with other people during work, we learn about their cultures and become open to new concept and prospects. Due to globalisation and technological advancement, there are new methods to bring the world into the classrooms. Examples are social networks and video conferencing. Student exchange programme not only benefit the students, but the teachers due to the “exchange of practices, knowledge and expertise, with welcome positive implications for teacher training and professional development. These programmes “results more rounded individuals”, “encouraging pupils to see things from different perspectives”, the ability to make better decisions, “acquiring transferable skills that would be useful in their whole life. Hence, Picardo believe that it is essential for students to have a “deeper global awareness and understanding of other cultures."

I personally agree with Picardo that it is important for students to have a "deeper global awareness and understanding of other cultures." This can be achieve through student exchange program resulting in several benefit ranging from educational, personal and future benefits.

Educationally, students are able to experience a new culture and maybe even learn a new language. Being exposed to an unknown country, students will have to adapt to the new way of life due to the many difference such as festivals, family tradition, cuisine, beliefs and language. This is a great opportunity for students to see the world from a different angle.

Besides offering educational opportunities for students, students who participate in the student exchange program are faced with many difficulties in their everyday life which they have never experienced before.  By being away from their family, it forces them to step out of their comfort zone and become independent. This often improve their self-confidence and self-esteem and bring out the best in them. That is the perks of going for an overseas exchange.

Lastly, in the long term, due to our highly globalized world, the student exchange program provide an stepping stone into socializing with other parts of the world. Employers are in favour of people with experience and knowledge of another language and culture. This is further supported by Picardo. He states that "According to the Association of Graduate Recruiters companies cannot find enough applicants with the requisite skills to operate in an international market place, indicating that greater efforts by schools in fostering global awareness and international collaboration are needed to best prepare our students "


In conclusion, it is important for students to have global awareness and better understanding of other cultures. The student exchange program is one of the many program which can provide students the opportunity for going overseas to study and the benefit of it is a life changing one.

( 477 words)
Reference

http://www.theguardian.com/teacher-network/2012/sep/25/students-global-awareness-other-cultures





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