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| Sunny day in Amsterdam |
International education is put simply with this definition: “education that transcends national borders by the exchange of people”. It is the knowledge of other world regions and cultures, familiarity with international and global issues, skills in working effectively in cross-cultural or global environments, and having respect or concern for other cultures and peoples.
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| A Rally for Unity in Berlin, Germany. |
You don’t have to be an international relations major to learn about the world around us - we hold almost all the information we could ever want or need in our hand - read up on the news, keep updated on the everyday happenings of the world. You will never regret being knowledgeable in that sector. We live in a globalized society now - things aren’t just about what’s going on around you. You can learn so much from the people and the world around you, why not take full advantage of it?
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| Part of learning about other cultures is the food they have too - right? A frappe in Greece, too good to be true - and not like the frappe you get at Starbucks. |
Learning about the world around you doesn’t require traveling necessarily, but things such as study abroad, international volunteering, and international travel can help a lot in understanding the different cultures and people you may encounter day to day. Versing yourself in this knowledge will allow you to connect and effectively communicate with such a larger population of people on this beautiful planet we all inhabit. People are people, all throughout the world. I think it’s time we stop looking at all the things that separate us and consider the things that make us similar.
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| The Capotoline Wolf statue in the Musei Capitolini in Rome, Italy is part of a larger story of the beginnings of Rome. |
Learning about other cultures, the history behind why things are the way they are, and languages has helped me grow immensely as a person and has even helped me learn more about myself and my background. It has allowed me to communicate with a much wider range of people and has given me so many more opportunities than if I were still where I was 4 years ago. I see the world in a new light - as something bright, beautiful, and definitely attainable. I’ve hit dips in the road (such as arriving in Italy to live there for four months and not knowing the language), but I think that that has just made me a more well-rounded person through it (as now I can speak conversational Italian).
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| What I told myself when people would speak in Italian to me and I had no idea what they were saying. |
I think international education is important for everyone. As the world becomes more and more reachable for everyone, it is important that we understand each other so that we are willing to help each other get back up from hard times - so that we can have peace. The fact of the matter is, international education is completely invaluable - it is crucial for the way our world is going.
International Education Week (IEW) is an opportunity to celebrate the benefits of international education and exchange worldwide. The theme of the University of Arkansas' International Education Week celebration is "You Are Welcome Here." Students are encouraged to share their international education stories on social media using #IEWelcomeUARK. You can learn more about IEW at https://iew.state.gov/
And, check out the IEW events happening on campus at iew.uark.edu
Don't miss your opportunity to study or intern abroad! Start your search at http://studyabroad.uark.edu/search/
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Maris, a senior International and European Studies major, studied abroad at our University of Arkansas Rome Center with the help of our Office of Study Abroad Scholarship. Come meet Maris and the other peer advisors at a Hogs Abroad 101 information meeting! These hour-long sessions are held Tuesdays and Wednesdays during the fall and spring semesters from 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm in the Center for World Languages, Literatures and Cultures (JBHT 207).
