The Oklahoma Global Education Consortium is proud to announce
its eleventh annual essay contest for students of member institutions.
Each consortium institution is encouraged to submit essays written by
students enrolled at the respective institution. The deadline for
receipt of entries is Friday,
August 20, 2010.
Three contest winners will each receive a cash award of $200 at
the September 30, 2010
OGEC conference to be held in Oklahoma City. All three
winners are required to attend the OGEC Conference to read their essays
at the banquet and receive their awards. In addition, the three essays
will be placed on our OGEC web page.
The essay must be word-processed with twelve-point font size,
double-spaced lines, and approximately five hundred words. A cover page
must be provided with the essay title, author’s name, and college. The
student's name and school should appear only on the cover sheet, as
essays are judged “blind.” The subject of the essay can encompass any
aspect of the positive outgrowth of global education. Students may
write in first-person and are encouraged to incorporate their personal
experiences with global education. Since this is to be a personal
opinion essay, no source citing/works cited page is necessary.
Electronic entries are preferred. Please remember, the paper copies of essays must be postmarked by Friday, August 20, 2010
and should be sent to:
Sharon Burris
Murray State College/Ardmore Campus
611 Veterans Blvd.
Ardmore, OK 73401
Electronically sent essays should be emailed as a Word document
attachment to Sharon Burris at: sburris@mscok.edu.
Be sure to include all pertinent information in the email with electronic
submissions (student name, school name, instructor name, etc.), and not
include author or school names in or on the document itself.
Click here for the 2010 Dr. Bill Brown Global Education Essay Poster
WINNING ESSAYS FROM 2009
The World United
Ambher Williams
Murray State College
Once stated by major philosopher and writer Jean Jacques Rousseau, "Plants are shaped by cultivation and men by education... We are born weak, we need strength; we are born totally unprovided, we need aid; we are born stupid, we need judgment. Everything we do not have at our birth and which we need when we are grown is given us by education." This holds true not only to the citizens of the United States of America, but to the people of the earth! Our great country is made up of men and women from many different cultural backgrounds and societies. Global education is needed today more than yesterday and will be needed more tomorrow than today. Citizens of the world need to unite together and learn more about the guy next to us. America is made up of many different societies and for this reason I believe the lack of global education our country has needs to be addressed, starting with our school system.
Everyone is aware of the different cultures of youngsters in our school system. Teaching all children enrolled in our schools the need for global education will benefit us as a country in the future. I believe school personnel should add a mandatory course taken each year of the 13 years our children are in school gradually building on the knowledge and importance of global education. Starting at a young age will provide our children the knowledge they need when they grow to be adults. Knowing and understanding the differences in each culture will benefit the business world as well.
We buy, sell and trade with many different countries and I believe we should be able to communicate and understand each and every country we do business with. As a small child, you may have some sort of idea what you may want to be "when you grow up," of course we usually change our minds, but just about every profession uses global education. Communicating would go much smoother if each person was knowledgeable on the different cultural aspects of the person or persons we are doing business with. I believe global education would also cut down on the racial violence we have in our country as well as between all the countries of the world.
Our world today needs to practice on making peace with our neighbors. Not only do we need it in the USA, but also within our world. We need to start at home and spread the word to all of our neighboring countries and their neighboring countries. Too many people are dying in our country from the lack of knowledge of other individuals. We need to learn to accept and appreciate our fellow men for who they are, and realize that everyone is different, but that everyone is special. Many people do not realize the differences of our widely cultural population. If we began to take the initiative with ourselves, we can change the minds and opinions of others, but it starts with us!
Everyone is unique in our own ways. From our speech, to our dialect, to our beliefs and our appearances. We need to appreciate each other for who we are and what we bring to our country and our world. If everyone started today to change the way we view others and put ourselves in their position, not only our country the great United States of America, but every country on our great earth will benefit and we could all get along!
The New World
Sarina Pearman
OSU-OKC
From the beginning of time, the world has continued to undergo change. The earth itself has seen its share of change due to climate and theories of evolution. Since mankind became habitants of the earth, we have continued to progress in our development of technology, understanding of science, and creating new and improved methods of completing day to day tasks. This understanding that the globe in which we live is undergoing major change is expressed in one word, globalization. The word globalization itself has become a cliché as we approached and embraced the turn of the century.
Globalization is the integration of markets, countries, telecommunications, and transportation systems on a global scale. This has allowed faster communication from company to company reaching a farther span of geography thus impacting the global market in a much more influential manner. Because the use of this technology, which allows us to achieve this much greater influence in our economy has only recently been made available, globalization, is often used a modem term. I contend that globalization has been the backbone of our world. From the time that mankind was cast from the Garden of Eden, we have begun researching and developing new ways to do things faster and more economically. These methods have been as much a part of globalization as the invention of the airplane. We have not witnessed anew global practice; rather we have seen the infusion of recent technologies create a speed change in globalization.
Globalization has received much criticism from naysayers who contend that it is used drive ideological economic liberalization that subjects states and individuals to more intense forces. The argument continues that globalization constrains states. States will no longer have the ability to free trade limits and to set their own policy and limit their ability to protect domestic policy. The free market system should not be shoved down the throats of countries and individuals who are content with their system. However, globalization is the improvement of people's lives. New products and new ideas are universally available. Barriers for trade and democratic institutions are broken down. More and more people are empowered as globalization continues to be embraced. Interaction from globalization will lead to new mixtures of cultures and integration of cultural ideas and concepts.
Globalization has been a common practice from the beginning of mankind's existence on the planet. The opportunity to research cheaper, communicate faster, exchange ideas quicker, transpose ideas, and market these new technologies in a free market world system is the true advantage to the entire planet and its economy as a whole. Globalization, being the backbone of the world, has made the world more interdependent than ever. Globalization has brought such things as; advanced computer systems, advanced telecommunication devices and services, and air travel throughout the world. Without these three, excessively used things, the world would be a more difficult less sophisticated, and more distant than ever! Although political disputes over globalization's future direction and real meaning will continue for many years to come, the true effects of globalization will continue to benefit the world and future generations.
The Great Global Experience
Megan Mackey
Tulsa Community College
In May of this year I took a short study abroad trip to Japan. For years I’ve been longing to go there, and the trip ended up being one of the best experiences I’ve had in my life so far. I learned much from it—not only about Japan, but about myself as well. It has helped me grow and mature as a person in ways that spending my time at home, focusing on just the small world around me, could never do. I feel more independent, more confident, and while I’m still a bit shy, I feel braver than I did before.
Experiences like mine can have such an impact on individuals because it is a big change from what one is used to. And if the change is accepted, and understood and managed, it can have great, positive results. While I never experienced culture shock in Japan, it was still a very different place from home. I knew only the basics of the language, and the customs of the host family that I stayed with for a short time were not like the ones of my family at home. As I was very open for these changes, I learned a lot. I used the language, learned new words and phrases from my host family and others, ate new foods, prayed at a shrine, and so on. Seeing and experiencing the world from a new standpoint really opened my eyes—not only to the wonderful, interesting world, but to the good things that I have within myself (and can in turn share). I think that having global experiences can have the same affects on others.
Now, I understand that not everyone can study abroad like I have. But even just learning about the world from a home situation is beneficial, helping one get past the usual standards that they are used to, letting them see the world in a different light and put more into consideration when interacting with others, especially with those of a different background. When we know more about one another, it helps break down any barriers that keep us from having positive interactions.
Finally, considering today’s society specifically, global education is important because of how easy it is for a person to connect with the rest of the world. With today’s technology, making contact with someone on the other side of the globe is quick, inexpensive, and easily accessible. But with this advancement, it is crucial to have a population that can work well with the other cultures it encounters—communication may be easy, but this should not give those using this new tech an excuse to be lazy. If this population is uneducated, then any interactions with a global audience could easily result in failure due to lack of understanding, knowledge, and readiness when it comes to other cultures. We people as a whole should strive to have peaceful relationships with others in this world, so that we can learn from each other and grow within and outside of our own communities.
WINNING ESSAYS FROM 2008
Learning to Overcome Ignorance through Global Education
Stephanie A. Ford
Tulsa Community College
"The strength of the United States is not the gold at Fort Knox or the weapons of mass destruction that we have, but the sum total of the education and the character of our people." Former U.S. Senator Claiborne Pell, who was largely responsible for establishing federal Pell grants, made a very important point about global education that many people, even today, seem to miss. I was once a person who saw the strength and value of our nation based solely upon our might and dominance, but after having spent so much of my time learning foreign languages, I can honestly say I was blind sighted by ignorance.
Ignorance is that safety blanket behind which so many of us hide. It is defined as a lack of knowledge or information. Stop for just a moment and consider what makes our nation so great and so unique. We are a melting pot, a nation made up of many different cultures and peoples, yet how many of us can really say that we know anything about any other country? As so many of my friends have travelled to another country either for business or pleasure, they tell me that they do not speak the language of that country. They have said that America is so mighty, everyone in the world speaks English. If someone wants to do business with the world's greatest nation, he or she must speak English. I have to say that arrogance is due in part to the ignorance we instill in our youth throughout their education.
We teach our youth as little as possible about other countries and I dare say that most of them could not locate another country on a map. As I began learning foreign languages, I had a particular teacher take time to teach us the culture of the area. I thought it was a complete waste of time until realized how much more I began to appreciate the native speakers of that language. I learned about their backgrounds, lifestyles and families. It did not take long before I discovered a new appreciation of who I was and how great our own country is. This education of other cultures has enriched my life in ways I will continue to discover as I meet new people. Global education extends beyond simply learning a language to understanding a people and who they are. It has certainly made me a more humble and well rounded person.
Global education is increasingly important no matter what job one holds. I am a licensed hearing instrument specialist who tests hearing and dispenses hearing aids. I have been able to help adults of many different ethnicities based on their specific needs and lifestyles, and with each new person I meet I am truly thankful for that teacher who had a crazy idea of teaching her students the culture behind the language. I am glad that she opened up my world to let others in and made me a much less ignorant person otherwise. It is my hope that other teachers nationwide take the time to teach their students something about another culture, whether it is in literature, art, geography, or foreign languages. You see, global education is very important because we are surrounded by many different cultures, even if we never leave our own city.
Culture: Is It Headed to the History Books?
Steven Terpenning
Oklahoma State University/Oklahoma City
As the world becomes smaller, I wonder when the individual cultures of the world today will become part of our past. As more and more nations across the globe become internationally dependant, you realize that today our world is getting smaller every second. It is almost common place for a business today to trade on a regular basis with companies around the world. In the United States alone we buy things from China, Korea, and countless other places with merchandise ranging from t-shirts to cars. With globalization, a business trip could mean that you are headed across the globe to Asia or down the street to your supplier with equal ease. So we learn and deal with other cultures and nations on an increasingly regular basis bettering our personal and business lives. So as we learn more about other cultures and countries I have to wonder when all of our cultures will become essentially the same.
Any business today could benefit by dealing with companies outside of their own nation or neighborhood, by either getting cheaper raw materials, or by having their products assembled in a nation that can have it done cheaper. Not only does this affect the common person, it also can affect an entire nation of people by bringing much needed jobs to a poor nation. It affects you and I as well by making the product market more competitive and driving the price of an average product down. A good business man knows that business dealings should commonly not take place on national or religious holidays. So how would an average man from the United States know when a good time to do business in Japan? Through globalizations in school systems! Let's not forget that an average American doesn't know how to speak Japanese, a large obstacle to overcome in a fast paced competitive world of business. Yet another issue that could be solved by the early teaching of different languages and cultures in school aged peoples, also known as global education.
There are many advantages to the teaching of "globalization" to younger school children, for one it is believed that younger children not only learn a second language faster, but the way they learn it is more natural for them to speak it fluently. Speaking the same language is important to business, but there are many other cultural differences that could aid you in being a successful business person. Just knowing the general body language of your hopeful associate could easily make or break your deal. That is why culture should eventually become part of our past; if everyone has the same habits and cultural experiences, and speaks the same languages then business and life could greatly be improved.
Language is one of the largest barriers that we have to deal with in the world today. As an American I was taught one language, English. If I were to travel to another country I would have to hire an interpreter to translate for me, or expect everyone to speak English. It is my thought that most Americans believe that English should be know by everyone that we come into contact with, whether it be in our country or another. That language barrier alone could cause people from other cultures to be offended, and could lead towards a conflict between nations, possible even war. In theory, with better knowledge of other cultures and languages there would be better understanding between people and maybe even a more forgiving atmosphere around the world.
With a worldwide culture there would be less misunderstanding in the business world as well as everyday life. Less misunderstanding could possibly mean less war. Not only could we do business better, we could hopefully live in a peaceful war free world. Being able to travel to distant countries and not offend anyone, would allow us to see the world and meet people that today are outside of our comfort zone and culture. It is my belief that globalization could benefit the majority of the world today even if our generation never gets to see those effects; it is still well worth our time and commitment.
WINNING ESSAYS FROM 2007
Teach Them to Understand the World
By Amanda Murphy
Murray State College/AHEC
John F. Kennedy once stated that “all of us do not have equal talent, but all of us should have an equal opportunity to develop our talent.” This does not apply only to citizens of the United States, but to citizens all over the world. Global education is a very important subject. It has been defined as an interdisciplinary approach to learning concepts and skills necessary to function in a world that is increasingly interconnected and multicultural. The United States is growing more and more every day. Our country is not just made up of Caucasians, but is multi-racial. Our country trades with other countries. If that is the case, then why do some “Americans” have problems with people in and from other countries? I feel that this is a problem due to the lack of global education in our schools. If we have more global subjects for our students to learn and possibly even guest speakers from different cultures, then we could reduce that lack of understanding.
Of course we all read about different cultures while in school, but that does not mean we are open to those cultures or even understand them. In all actuality, we are taught more about our own culture than other cultures. It is good to learn about our country, but it is also important to learn about other countries as well. Almost all businesses have some kind of tie-in to another country and culture. Our kids grow up, go to college, and enter a professional work environment. They will more than likely be exposed to another culture. If they do not understand the culture or know about the culture, then they might be hesitant to approach that person. Why would they not understand it? It all leads back to elementary, junior high, and high school.
Students need to be able to embrace other cultures. Students need to experience other cultures. I strongly feel that our education systems really need to look at the idea of expanding international content in the general education courses. If students have more exposure to other types of cultures, then they will possibly grow up to be more open to them. No one says that you have to accept another country or culture, but it is nice to learn about them.
Our children have the power to make a difference in the world. We should start teaching them at an early age about other cultures. When you are eight years old, you have no idea what you will be doing in twenty years. You could have a job that requires you to move to Asia for a period of time. If you learned about Asia in school and have an understanding of their culture, then it will be easier for you to accept it. If you were not exposed to it, you might be scared to move there and learn their culture.
The funny thing is that even though we learn about our own culture, some people still have problems with each other. In 2000, 1 had the chance to go with several other people on a trip to New York City. I already knew what to expect because I had a very close friend from there. I remember seeing the reactions from my friends to the actions of the people in New York and vice-versa. It did not bother me because I knew that it was the lack of education. We were from Oklahoma so we had a different dialect and demeanor about us than did the New Yorkers. That was still not a reason for one person to “snub” another. We learn from each other.
Other countries are becoming a big part of our lives and we should accept them with open arms. If it was not for those countries, then we might not have many of the things that we do. We need to be thankful, loving, caring, accepting, and open to them. Treat them as you would want to be treated. In the end, it will do more good than hurt. Helen Keller said, “The highest result of education is tolerance.” If you can accept education, then you will more readily tolerate other cultures.
The Power of Unification
Amber Reed
Oklahoma State University-Oklahoma City
The controversial question of the validity of globalization called to mind for me a poem “The Road Not Taken,” by Robert Frost. It occurred to me that we as people may be so concerned over which viewpoint to take that we fail to realize we are in fact already on the path. The question is not so much if globalization is an eventuality but rather if it is our opinions that essentially diverge. It is my belief that if we are to flourish in a more global society we must first educate ourselves and examine both the positive and negative aspects before choosing the direction our personal views take us.
One of the major obstacles in the road toward accepting globalization is the realism in the minds of the individuals it ultimately affects. While the term may be unfamiliar to the general population its existence is undeniable. For me globalization is as real and tangible as the steering wheel of my foreign automobile, or the shirt in my closet that proudly states “U.S.A.” while the tag ironically reads, “made in Taiwan”. On a daily basis we use products that make up the “American way of life” that unknown to us has origins that are anything but American. To ignore this trend does nothing to discredit the truth, we have only to glance around the familiar components in our living rooms to prove this. The remote control, that sits waiting to show us a glimpse of the world around us from the safety of our sofa, may turn on a television made in the U.S. or Japan. Consumers are given the choice of products both foreign and domestic creating a type of competition. One of the perceptions is that to purchase Foreign goods versus American is a threat to our industry and economy. However, it is important to remember the doors of commerce swing both ways.
While contemplating the path your personal convictions lead you, I encourage you to first focus on the world around you. The signs of a more global economy surround us. You may question the notion that one product created in another part of the world could greatly impact our personal lives. This point presented itself to me in the course of writing this very paper, when I inconveniently locked my keys in the car. I stared through the glass that was all that separated me from the ability to get back to my busy schedule, when I realized all was not lost. My cell phone had at least made it out of the vehicle. While calling my roadside assistance it occurred to me that my phone was another non-American made product that I rely upon. This raised my curiosity as to the options available to consumers if they chose to purchase a cell phone made in the United States. I borrowed a phone book and decided to put my unexpected free time to good use. I enquired of several wireless providers as to the number of phones manufactured in the States. The unanimous response was over whelming: none. The significance of this is profound; the technology that millions of Americans have come to depend on for business as well as personal use is readily accessible to us due to globalization.
Although new technologies and innovative products both foreign and domestic enhance our lives, there is a seemingly negative undercurrent to globalization. The new wealth of business opportunities has vastly increased the travel between countries, thus allowing for economic growth potential, however a more silent threat may be exchanged as well. The substantial fear of foreign diseases, like the Asian Bird Flu, that would otherwise be region specific, is a very real threat. The travel between the U.S. and Asian countries in September of 2005 was all but stopped, with many travelers facing quarantine. The media aided in spreading this fear like a virus in itself, providing us with the facts sprinkled with the innuendo of a possible pandemic. Worldwide travel, while aiding in spreading some potentially threatening illnesses, may also lead to the possible solution of others. To prematurely cry out against globalization due to the negative consequences could in turn inhibit the collaboration between scientist and physicians in finding a cure for global killers such as cancer or AIDs. The plausible way to combat this fear is through education, for if we allow it to cloud our judgment we may reflect and regret “the road not taken”. (Frost)
In our journey to a more global environment there is yet another aspect that invokes a passionate response, immigration. Our country was founded by men of European descent, and has been built by the blood, sweat, and tears of immigrants ever since. When the average U.S. citizen is asked the question of their heritage they may reply: I am half German, a quarter French and possibly Italian, but they are still viewed as one hundred percent American. A natural born citizen never has to question the meaning of freedom; it is as inherit to them as the color of their hair. Therefore, it may be difficult for them to understand what peoples of oppressed nations must face. Men and women of all races have fought side by side under the symbol of our great country and all for the same reason; the preservation of the beliefs that make the United States of America so unique. Allowing the diversity of other peoples will not dilute our culture; it has been present from the beginning.
The signs of globalization are to numerous to ignore, and with pressing issues such as global warming and the depletion of the rain forests it may become more important that ever to create a united front. While the concept of a world without conflict and strife is unrealistic, with education and understanding the ability to work together for a common goal is well within our grasp. Let not negative bias or fear of the unknown be the basis for decision. “I took the one less traveled by and that has made all the difference”. (Frost) It is our world, a phrase that means the same regardless of the language it is spoken in.
Works Cited Page
Frost, Robert. The Poetry of Robert Frost. Pub. 1915.
Anonymous. Telephone interview. 12 April 2007.
Anonymous. Telephone interview. 12 April 2007.
Copeland, Samantha. Telephone interview. 12 April 2007.
Global Education
Mary L. Cole
Oklahoma State University-Oklahoma City
Global education is one of the most important issues that we face in our society today. Article 26 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states: “Everyone has the right to an education.” Education empowers people and strengthens nations. Education creates opportunities and choices for individuals, offering chances to improve standards of living while creating citizens who are skillful, well-informed and equipped to help their country achieve economic and social prosperity. A quality education satisfies basic learning needs while enriching the lives of the learners and their life experiences. Because global education improves health and nutrition, increases productivity and earnings, and reduces inequality and poverty, it has a direct impact on the entire world.
Health education is defined as the process by which individuals and groups of people learn to behave in a manner conducive to the promotion, maintenance or restoration of health. Education for health begins with people as they are, with whatever interests they may have in improving their living conditions. Its aim is to develop in them a sense of responsibility for health conditions, as individuals and as members of families and communities. Health education commonly includes an appraisal of what is known by a population about a disease, and assessment of habits and attitudes of the people as they relate to spread and frequency of the disease, and the presentation of specific means to remedy the deficiencies. Global education in proper nutrition is the foundation for health and development. Healthy children learn better. A safe and caring environment and good quality early childhood care and education, both in families and formal programs, helps improve the survival, growth, development and learning potential of young children. Healthy people are stronger, and are more productive.
Globally, education has been proven to increase income for wage earners and increase productivity for employers, yielding benefits for the community and society as a whole. Research has established that every year of schooling increases individual wages for both men and women by a worldwide average of about 10 percent. In poor countries, the gains are even greater. Studies also link education to economic strength and growth. Education contributes to improved productivity which in theory should lead to higher income and improved economic performance. Education drives economic competitiveness. Increasingly, comparative advantages among nations come less from natural resources or cheap labor and more from technical innovations and the competitive use of knowledge.
Education reduces inequality and global poverty. Illiteracy is one of the strongest predictors of poverty. Primary education plays an extensive role for those most likely to be poor, which include women, ethnic minorities, orphans, disabled people and rural families. Women with formal education are much more likely to use reliable family planning methods and have fewer and healthier babies than those with no formal education. Educated women are also more likely to seek medical care, ensure their children are immunized, have more knowledge about health care and provide more nutrition for their children as well as practice better sanitation. Mother’s education is a significant variable affecting children’s education attainment and opportunities. Findings suggest that increases in maternal education are positively associated with children’s academic school readiness. Education contributes to the economic well-being of the working-age disabled in determining the level of their family’s well-being. Low levels of investment by family and society in the education of disadvantaged children translate into poorer outcomes when those children grow up. Results may include reduced employment and lower wages, higher rates of early and non-marital childbearing, with all the associated risks to family health and well-being. Better education is a prime entry point to ending poverty and a milestone to achieving better quality of life. Education gives people the skills they need to help themselves out of poverty and into prosperity. Education also reduces crime and promotes peace and stability.
All children around the world have the right to an education. Investing in education is not only the right thing to do, but it’s the smart thing to do as well. Education shapes who we are, what we know, what we believe, how we think and what we can do. It determines the prospects of individuals and nations. Investment in education benefits the individual, society, and the world as a whole. For individuals and nations, it is the key to creating, applying, and spreading knowledge, and for the development of globally competitive economies. With global education, opportunities are limitless.
WINNING ESSAYS FROM 2006
Knowledge: Globalization
by Brandy Cleveland
Oklahoma State University-Oklahoma City
When asked, "What is globalization?" people begin to think of a variety of subjects that are somewhat related to the world: war, poverty, the environment, etc. my Honors English Composition class, on the other hand, was stumped. We were unsure, had a few vague ideas, but nothing solid came to mind. Since that vague, broad question was posed, my ears have been on the hunt for ideas and inspiration to formulate a complete thought on the subject. Since then I have realized that I can in no way sum up the complexity of such a subject in a short amount of time; however, I have began to notice a common trend that future and current generations have neglected to master and comprehend.
When questioned about the World's history or American History for that matter, a typical response from a young adolescent is put off and somewhat ignorant of listening or inquiring further. Their response usually leads to, "I wasn't even born yet, how should I know?" They are neglectful to realize or care that humanity in itself has been around for millions of years, but somehow it only mattered the moment they came into existence.
In "Education, Globalization and Sustainable Futures..." Farrell and Papagiannis state that students should strive to understand the world from a more, "ecological, holistic and environmental perspective." Furthermore they elaborate that the knowledge to understand is, "vital in the achievement of a better balance between humanity and the earth ecosystem." With education and knowledge, students are more conscience of how their everyday actions immediately impact the atmosphere around them.
Within the past year and a half, two very major natural disasters have occurred. In 2004, a catastrophic earthquake triggered a chain of tsunamis that spread throughout the Indian Ocean and devastated the coastlines of Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, and Thailand. Just last year the Gulf Coast and surrounding areas experienced a hurricane season that shot past records off the chart. The "odd" seasonal weather around the world . and steep drops in temperature are mere indicators of how natural disasters are becoming far more fierce than ever before.
Now, without pinpointing a sole procuring cause to blame, a major contributor to the "ignorance" of the subject manner not being taught could be the formal education system. Mind you, the blame is not solely reliant upon the education system. Adults, parents and mentors are just as capable of inspiring inquisitive minds to listen, absorb, digest and formulate a personal opinion on the subject manner. However, in this modem society of western mindset, the role of educating the future generations is the responsibility of the school systems.
Current generations neglect to recognize the consequences of their actions because the reaction is not instantaneous and direct. The environment, the economy and our daily impact on its natural resources should be taught in school systems and incorporated into daily subject manner. As Farrell and Papagiannis state, the challenge in teaching an ecological and holistic perspective is that schools are "fragmented and compartmentalized" around subject curriculums and time constraints. Furthermore, existing school systems would have to inspire individuals to think complexly. Frankly, it is hard to teach ambition and innovation.
Being that my class is the supposed leaders of the pack and inquisitive minds of tomorrow, it is troublesome that when posed with a broad question about globalization we were stumped dead in our tracks. Our inquisitive minds must be familiar with events of the past, issues of the present and potential solutions for the future. The views of the world need to span past our front door step and into the world economy and current events that are shaping our history because to broaden our perspective on how we view the world directly influences our decisions to be proactive.
Work Cited
Farrell, R. V. and George Papagiannis. "Education, Globalization and Sustainable Futures: Struggles Over Educational Aims and Purposes in a Period of Environmental and Ecological Challenge." Annual Meeting of the Comparative and International Education Society. Orlando, FL. 09 Mar. 2002. ERIC. OSU-Oklahoma City Library, 08U- Oklahoma City. Oklahoma City, OK. 2 Apr. 2006.
This Day is Your Day, This Day is My Day
by Sarah Carter
Oklahoma State University-Oklahoma City
Many people all over the world celebrate holidays of all different types and for all different reasons, so what's one more? We celebrate love, New Years, even old traditions like Halloween. Celebrating a holiday is marking that day in history that will always be remembered. To continue on with holiday traditions, a new tradition should emerge as a holiday to celebrate other cultures. By learning about other's background we could learn a lot about differences in other cultures, many people could be involved in the celebrations and traditional festivities, and hopefully the whole world would take part in making it a global holiday.
This new global holiday would be called Shared Culture Day. It is created to allow everyone in the world to take part in traditions from another culture. By doing this I think we could get a better understanding of who we and others are. Many people are not always educated on the things that occur in other cultures, and it comes off as ignorant when really it's just something we really don't know. Spending more attention on others cultures would hopefully allow everyone the chance to learn something about someone else's background other than them selves. If everyone in the world were to participate in it, it would have a greater impact for everyone, almost like religious holidays.
The reason this holiday is necessary is because many people in America who are surrounded by mostly the same stereotype of people don't understand someone who may have spent their whole life in Denmark and vise-versa. And how can we ever grow and learn from each other if we can't understand each other? Knowing that the world is growing it gains a lot of history and with a lot of history comes a lot of pride and culture. We can all learn from the history so by celebrating everyone's separate and different traditions all over the entire world would be a serious culture awakening for just one day, but it may teach you something for life. If everyone were to celebrate there would be many great things to participate in for the celebration. Classes of students all over the world could join in on a trade of something that is from their culture like a figurine from Asia or a piñata from Mexico, and exchange them with classes on other parts of the world and see what everyone gets back. Many of them can be made too, so other students would be able to learn how to make them also. Different types of crafts would be a really fun project and a great way to learn stuff from all the way across the globe, rather than just learn what everyone already knows, like making Christmas ornaments. People would gather their friends, family, and neighbors to their homes and everyone shares in on all the food that is brought from everyone's national background. I personally would bring cheese potatoes for my Irish heritage. Every country in the world could hold festivals in towns with dancing and music and games-everyone would be able to take part in such a fun, high spirited holiday. The best part about it is, this could be a big leap towards helpings demolish racism because with understanding comes tolerance, and with tolerance comes acceptance.
Overall, I think the holiday is a win-win situation. If it were to become a national holiday then it would be treated like one. You can get out of work and school, go to festivals and parties, and also get a chance to learn about what's going on in other countries. It would not cost a whole lot like Christmas, for it's just a day to relax and try something from someone else's culture. The one thing I like about this holiday the most is it can be celebrated how everyone chooses to celebrate, it as long as the thought of what the day is noted for is always present in people's minds.
Inseparable Varieties
by Carol Wehe
Rose State College
While recently reading a curious story named "I, Pencil," I realized that even a simple writing implement required many nations to piece it together. The author of this short tale described all that went into making a pencil. From the graphite tip to the eraser, each of the materials was cut, mined, and assembled by people of varying lands, languages, and lifestyles. All were necessary to complete the ordinary pencil I held. This pencil reminded me that I am interconnected to millions of people around the globe. We need each other. As a result of this realization, I have become interested in learning about other cultures and have found some simple ways of doing so: viz, reading, college, and community service.
As I have always loved reading, the first idea was not hard to put into action. Starting with popular British humor, like G.K. Chesterton and P.G. Wodehouse, and going on to historical fiction gave me a background to build upon. When my Russian History professor suggested looking into foreign newspapers, the wide variety of those in English interested me. To my surprise, I found that Russian children liked to play video games and people in India actually listened to Don McLean, the author of "American Pie." These realizations made the troubles other nations A. faced hit home to me. It made my earlier vague perception of them change. Nations seemed more B. like people and less like distant lands.
My first year at Rose State College has expanded my horizons as well. Macroeconomics has given me a taste of the network, both commercial and political, needed to put a shirt on my back and bring a pencil to my hand. Regional Geography has taken me all over the world, giving me an overview of the major climates, industries, political histories, and demographics of each region. This class also put me in contact with classmates from North Africa and Argentina, telling us their firsthand experiences, how to pronounce tetse fly, and why many South Americans wish the United States' border controls were extinct. My professors are also very interesting to listen to as they tell of many travel experiences on the other side of the ocean.
Even though learning other languages and exploring foreign countries would be an invaluable experience, my money shortage can interfere with traveling. However, I found that travel is not necessary to practice another language or interact with foreigners. While at a conference here in Oklahoma City I befriended a student from China. She and I were sitting together when the speaker made a comment about her country. Later I asked her about it and we had a delightful conversation. I was glad to hear her insights and see a different perspective. Although many people shy away from interacting with those different from themselves, I have found that relationships with people who have "odd" accents, "funny" clothes, or a small house in the poor part of town can be wonderful. Through community service I have risen above my insecurities and made many friends. Little girls, whose clothes clash and are stained, are now my playmates. When boys smile showing silver teeth, I smile back and play basketball with them. Some speak only Spanish, and I have seen that I should learn their language better. But while they need hugs and a playmate, I can help even without a common language.
Within Oklahoma City's diverse community, I find an appreciation for and grow in my understanding of other people groups and cultures. Isolated from them, I cannot have the great friendships, or even my little pencil. So now, every time I take up a pencil, I will remember that I am a part of a global community of inseparable variety.
WINNING ESSAYS FROM 2005
The
Last Patrol
Cody
Simmons
After 183 days in country and countless patrols, I am finally here. Today is my last. I am so ready to go home. I know complacency is a son of a bitch and a killer of troops, so before I leave, I brief my team on the route and remind them to stay vigilant and stay alert. I inspect their weapons, check the ammo and do a vehicle checklist. We are ready to roll. Today we are going to checkpoint 709. It is about two and a half hours from where we are currently standing, but not a bad patrol entirely. We have to go through one village, but we never have any trouble there. The war has just been going on for about two months now, and the Arab world is not as kind to American's as they were one year ago. The soldiers especially paid a high cost. Checkpoint 709 was in the wadi of the southern tip of Sinai. I don't know the name of the Bedouin village we had to travel through even though I have been here a hundred times, or so it seems.
Franks, Tom and I were on patrol today. I was their team
leader and
Sergeant. As we pasted each checkpoint I would call back and give an
update as
to where we were. Then we came to the village. Today, little kids began
chasing
us and trying to catch on to the vehicle. Unfortunately, this always
smells like
an ambush and you must be ready for anything, so I accelerate and leave
the kids
in my dust. I have a couple miles to go before I reach my destination,
but this
is just strictly through the desert now. There are no roads.
I
stopped to check my GPS and take a leak
when we looked over the hill and saw the kids were still following us.
Their
village must have been two miles back. I decided to ask Tom and Franks
if they
wanted to stick around where we were and talk to these kids. They
thought it
would be a neat idea and I did too. I just didn't feel like going
through with
the rest of the patrol. Besides, we had been out of range for the radio
for over
an hour. So we sat. We opened the doors to the truck, turned up the
radio and
sat in the bed of the truck with our rifles. The kids were still coming
our way.
You can see for miles and miles in the desert. There were about a dozen
of them
and they were of all ages. So we waited. We didn't really know what to
do with
them when they got to us though. I guess they didn't either.
They finally arrived. The kids stood about ten yards from
us and just
looked at us, and we likewise just looked at them. None of us had a
common
language. They ranged in age from about five to sixteen. They were
about half
boys and half girls, but I couldn't tell you the name of any of them. I
finally
got off the truck and went and said hello to the oldest looking boy. He
understood and said hi also. It was the ice breaker we needed. They
were mostly
curious and wanted to see all about us. First, they started looking at
us and
our uniforms. They wanted to touch us. I guess to them, an American was
something of awe, or maybe it was that we were soldiers. I don't know.
They
began to inspect our vehicle and look into the mirrors. I don't think
they have
a lot of good mirrors in their village. The things that we take for
granted,
they were amazed by. I turned on the truck and the air conditioner. One
boy
realized that it was cold air coming out of the vent and stuck his face
to it.
Then he told the others and they were all trying to get into the truck
and feel
the cold air. I don't think that they had ever felt it before. Their
village
does not have any running water or electricity, and both are needed for
an air
conditioner. They live very primitively in little shacks and cook on
open fires,
yet they seem very happy. It really makes you wonder about what brings
happiness
to life. I thought I might try to bring a little American treat their
way and
make them happy. I don't know any kid who doesn't like candy and soda,
so I told
Franks and Tom to leave me there and take the kids who wanted to go in
the
truck. The kids had to ride in the back because of the sensitive
materials in
the front, but they were still so excited. They had a little store in
their
village that we passed along the way, so I told them to get all the
kids a candy
and soda. I gave them five U.S. dollars, and it was enough to buy over
a case of
soda and over a dozen chocolate covered pastries. I stayed back with
the others.
As it turned out, the boys went back into the village and
the girls
stayed out in the wadi with me. It was a bit unnerving being left out
there, but
I had my rifle and three magazines of ammo. The girls and I sat under
the only
tree in sight and started playing little the "hand jive slap games"
that little girls play. I was blessed with a little sister, so I
already knew
how to play. The thing that struck me was these little girls were
playing the
same game that my little sister used to make me play. Even though our
cultures,
religions, and languages are separated by an ocean in the physical and
political
sense, they were just like the girls I knew. It was great fun. We
started
speaking a little to each other. They knew a bit of Italian and I did
too from
training with the Italian Navy. They were mostly telling me ages and
that one
girl was the bambino. They were so funny. The girls started to write
their names
in the dirt and they wanted me to write it in English. Well, I didn't
know how
to read Arabic, but I also knew that they didn't know my language, so I
wrote
words in the dirt and told them it was their name. They were so happy
about
that. I have been with my friends and they do the exact same thing to
people who
are foreign to us. That was another bond and similarity they shared to
everything I knew. While we were writing in the dirt, a little lizard
ran across
the ground and into some rocks. They girls jumped and screamed. I
started
laughing so hard at that. One little girl decided to be the brave one
and try to
catch it. Then they looked at me like I would be able to catch this
lizard. That
little guy was fast! They followed my lead as we jumped and dove and
rolled in
the dirt trying to catch the little guy until finally, I got him. I
grabbed him
by the middle of his body and tried to show the little girl that had
been trying
to catch him for the past ten minutes. She screamed and ran. Then they
all
screamed and ran. So, of course I reverted to feeling like a ten year
old boy
and chased them around with the lizard until he squirmed away and left
only a
twitching tail in my hand. I can only imagine what it must have looked
like to
an observer, although there were none in the middle of the desert. An
American
soldier with a rifle slung over his back chasing a half dozen little
Arabic
girls around the desert with a lizard, laughing and squealing and
having a ball,
all during a war. I finally quit chasing them and sat down under the
tree again.
I was not as resilient as they were. The blazing sun and 120 degree sun
affects
me more adversely than them. At this moment, a truck rolled by. It was
full of
men who were armed with AK-47's. They must have been from the village
or a
surrounding village. They gave me a piercing glare, but did not bother
me. It
was a realization that I was not home. The time with the little girls
had
reminded me so much of playing with my own sister while growing up, or
watching
my own step children play with their friends. I was to leave in just
about a
week, but this is the closest to home I had felt.
Tom and Franks returned with the truck and half of a dozen
boys in the
bed. They were so excited. I love to remember the look on their face
when they
pulled up. Even my troops looked so happy to be doing something good
for these
kids. It had turned out to be a great day. Franks called me to the
truck and
gave me my change. I bought all of them one soda and candy as well as
the three
of us for under five
After the refreshments, the boys started getting together
rocks and
kicking rocks out of the way. I didn't know what they were doing. Then
a soccer
ball materialized. Well, we were picked by the two boys who nominated
themselves
as team captains and the game was on. Franks and Tom were on one team
and I was
on the other. Those kids were so good, and they played barefoot on
rocks and hot
sand. Most of them didn't have shoes anyway, but it still amazed me at
how tough
their feet were. It was more than I could stand, that is for sure. I
couldn't
tell you who won, but I know the Bedouin kids were better than we were.
It was
great fun. We had to return to camp shortly after the game and begin
packing for
home. The last patrol made the trip worthwhile though.
The little boys and little girls we played with were so
very different
than American children, but only in language, religion, and poverty
level. These
kids were so happy and grateful. They blessed my soul and were a great
ambassador for their people. They were just being themselves, but they
have made
an impact that goes far beyond those short few hours we spent together.
I must
also commend the parents for raising such good children. Children
reflect the
raising they have, and these children reflected well upon their
parents. During
this time in our country, many Americans were making ignorant comments
about
turning the
Better
the World
By
Amanda Kennedy
Northern
Oklahoma College, Tonkawa
Not
many people start off to college knowing exactly what they want to
become. Some
go to college with the attitude of, "Well Mommy and Daddy are paying
for
it. I'll decide what I want to do one of these days." But unlike most
of
the younger generation, I enrolled in college with a clear goal in
mind. Right
after high school, I had no idea what I wanted to do with the rest of
my life,
so instead I got a job in the real world as a police dispatcher. After
having
dealt with theft, fires, and death for a year, I decided I wanted a
real
life-something that would fulfill my dreams of being important to the
world. I
wanted a job where I could get up in the morning and look forward to
the day
ahead instead of dreading it like I was being sent to the front lines
of a
battlefield. I enrolled in college to become a teacher not only to
better my own
life and get an education, but to inspire young children, to do
something I
enjoy, and to travel anywhere in the world I might desire.
The
Buddha once said, "Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single
candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened." I hope to
become
that one candle for the hundreds of students I will someday teach. By
inspiring
those young people to light their own paths to greatness, I will have
succeeded
beyond all measure in making a difference in the world. Without
teachers to
guide students, there would be no inventions and no discoveries. I want
to make
learning an enjoyable experience for students, and I want them to
discover that
they like to learn and that it does not have to be a horrible or
tedious task.
Teaching
young children can be the greatest enjoyment in a person's life. I
chose
elementary education as my college major because smaller children are
so eager
and ready to learn everything you have to give them. They soak up
knowledge like
little sponges and are incredibly proud of themselves when they can
prove to
their parents that they have learned something new each day. I love the
fact
that the younger students cannot wait to attend class and always greet
their
teachers with smiling faces and thousands of questions. And no matter
where a
teacher is on the planet, the students are always willing to learn in
elementary
school.
When
I graduate from college with my well-earned degree, I plan on moving to
Denmark
to be with my fiancé. I will be able to teach in an English school
where I can
learn the cultures of the Danish students and become involved in their
lives.
Many people never leave the state in which they grew up, but I will
travel all
over the world with the knowledge I will gain from attending college.
My
experiences, as well as the journeys I take, will be priceless as a
teacher.
College
is the best thing anyone could ever do to enhance the experience of
life.
Already I have made many friends and learned more than I thought was
possible,
and still there are years left in my education. Even after I am done
with
college, I will continue to learn from the students I teach. And,
hopefully,
students I am able to inspire will go on to enroll in college and write
papers
like this of their own.
WINNING ESSAYS FROM 2004
Our Global Backyard: More Than Just Greener Grass
by Carl Walls
Some people take great pride in their carefully manicured lawns, with rolling green grass surrounded by perfect wooden fences. Even if your home is not so picturesque, everyone has a backyard – even if it is only a metaphorical one. It could be the street you live on, the city you claim as your hometown, or a whole section of the state. But have you ever wondered why you might want to explore beyond what you know, and learn about somewhere new?
In the past, you may have had to board a ship or ride a train to explore a new place, but new technology has made it easier than ever to explore new lands or meet new people. It could be as simple as learning about African Olympians on television, or going online and discussing with a native why Wales is not England. If you really wanted to, you could probably make a call to someone in China and discuss the Great Wall – assuming you know Mandarin, of course. It does not matter how you do it; any one of them has the potential to give you knowledge you did not have before.
For some, going beyond what they know might not be easy. Just like a real backyard with green grass and picket fences, your metaphorical backyard can be soft and comfortable with no view of what lies outside. When leaving the old to explore the new, you often find that you do not fit, and you may feel like an outsider because of that. New cultures and places can many times be radically different from what you know. Instead of the grass being greener on the other side, it may seem like it is a different color entirely.
But what happens when everyone steps outside together? On the internet, there are many people stepping out every day and discovering what exactly is on the other side of that fence. It is a neutral ground where everyone can come and learn about their global neighbors. There you can hear new views on serious subjects such as politics and religion, or simple subjects such as what people ask for when they want a Coke. Regardless of what you learn, you are almost always better for it.
In the future, once we step out and see the world around us, perhaps we will all take down our fences – together transforming the world into our backyard and joining together in a global community. Who knows what we would find when we open the gate to the global backyard and begin exploring again?
Culture is the fashioned make-up of society, formed by the behavior, institutions, and thought patterns of those who are indigenous to its borders. It is comprised of the traits which are used as a means of expression for a civilization. Carried with its people through their practices, philosophies and manner of living, the traditions and views of a single society can vary greatly from its neighbors. When two seemingly similar or even greatly differing environments are compared, both will have that which leads to promise and that which leads to ruin. Then, only from each other can they each learn to remedy their own afflictions. The first step toward this resolution is global education.
And
Now, For the Big
Picture
By
Callie Bacon
Oklahoma
State
University-Oklahoma City
Sometime
in the 1980's a new term came to be. That term was "global community".
Several other ideas 'spawned from this term, but it was unclear as to
what the
ultimate goal of achieving this" globa1 community". The conspiracy
folks had their theories, the economists had their theories, but when
all was
.said and done, they were all just that - theories. Just a few short
months ago,
an earthquake occurred underwater, causing a disastrous tsunami that
resulted in
a demonstration of what a global community actually is. That event
caused people
of all nations to come to the aid of their fellow human beings
suffering from
the devastation of this natural disaster. Natural disasters have a way
of
bringing out the best in the human race.
Geologically
speaking, the origin of this horrible disaster was nothing more than an
insignificant movement of two huge tectonic plates that had been
pushing against
one another for many centuries. The left plate had been sliding under
the right
at a rate of a few centimeters per year. The top plate unexpectedly
sprung up,
lifting as much as sixty feet along a one thousand mile ridge. "The
earth
shrugged for a moment. Everything moved a little bit". (Thomas and
Wehrfritz, 2005). The devastation that remained brought international
attention
to otherwise obscure locations. The world united in a "global
community" to render aid to the thousands of people left in the wake of
this earthly shrug.
Over
100,000 lives were lost from the initial impact. The death toll
continues to
rise as diseases infect the remaining citizens. Travel in the effected
areas was
nearly impossible, so humanitarian aid was hampered. But the citizens
of the
world did not give up. In every nation, volunteers stepped up to the
plate to
render aid in any way possible. People donated money for the effort.
Doctors,
engineers, construction workers, all left the safety of their homes to
try to
provide relief for those suffering in that tiny spot on the globe.
Tragedies
of huge proportion, whether an act of terrorism or a natural disaster,
seem to
becoming all too familiar on the evening news. The Oklahoma City
bombing, the
attack on the World Trade Center, the violence in the Middle East, all
terrorist
acts, have left us all with the images of destruction and loss of life.
Natural
disasters such as tornadoes, earthquakes, wildfires, and tsunamis also
leave a
path of destruction and loss of life. What these events share is the
resulting
emergence of human compassion. Terrorist attacks and acts of war can be
explained, if not fully understood, while the devastation of a natural
disaster
such as that left by the tsunami is blameless. No one can say "Well,
that's
the price of war" or "They deserve whatever they get".
During
the tsunami recovery there were some fingers pointed between and within
countries. There were those who felt some governments were too slow to
render
aid, or not enough was being done to help. But ultimately, the
population of the
entire planet stopped what they were doing and helped in any way they
could.
Some were only able to offer prayers, but they did it without
hesitation. For a
period of time, the earth's population was focused on sending help to
the areas
of devastation - a true global community.
Many
years from now, the events that began on December 26, 2004 that left
thousands
dead and even more injured, will take their place on the pages of
history books.
Geographic, demographic, and economic issues will certainly be
addressed.
Individual stories of hero and tragedy will be told. We are left to
speculate if
the big picture of the devastation left by this tsunami will be
painted. Will
the history books reflect the coming together of the human race to help
the
citizens of tiny nations in a truly global community? We can only hope.
1.
Tide
of Grief. MSNBC.com. 4
January, 2005.
<http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6777595/site/newsweek 2 April,
2005
Global Education: That Which Leads to Promise
by Whitney Vandiver
Redlands Community College
The single purpose of education is to inform with knowledge and instruction. To teach others unfamiliar with the knowledge we have inherited through our society is to allow them to perceive our way of living. To perceive is to invite participation. To participate is to allow experience and familiarity, and to experience is to comprehend and appreciate, which is nothing less than essential for coexistence to endure. The road to a better understanding of other cultures and their existing differences lies in a greater acceptance and first-hand experience.
Directly involving oneself with another culture is required for insight into their values and principles, but complete submergence is the ultimate method of creating intercultural relations. By immersing oneself into another’s society, customs and traditions are shared. Cuisines are changed; routines are altered, and even simple daily tasks such as speaking are modified by the integration of another language. To live and learn the culture of others may leave imprints on the individual that could not be produced by simply studying the culture from afar.
Much like in the situation of a foreign exchange student, equal cooperation between both the host and the visiting cultures is imperative for the development of a student/teacher relationship. Each person teaches unfamiliar values and ideals while also gaining insight into a foreign world in return. This method of thorough interaction allows for each person to be touched physically through the radical changes that take place, socially through the extensive connections made, and emotionally through the reception of each others’ lifestyles. This universal communication opens doors to opportunities, opens eyes to the recognition of diversity, and opens hearts to the appreciation of it.
If cultures were to work together to better understand each other, imagine the perception and appreciation we would have for one another. International traveling would be an exciting new adventure where travelers were welcomed and had a knowledge of the customs of their destination. International conflicts and wars would be better resolved with each leader having shared awareness and insight. Prejudice and ignorance would be overcome to reveal the celebrated diversity that already defines humanity in its many shades. Global education bridges gaps between cultures, translates languages, and brings people from different regions together with the gratification that each step taken is towards a better tomorrow- a tomorrow where differences speak not of inferiorities but of individuality, that which should be celebrated.
The Value of a Smile
by Amber D. Chavez
Murray State College
Throughout my life I have experienced many life-changing events that have dealt with global education. Many people in today’s society don’t think that there is any reason to get involved with others who are, in some way, different from themselves. Some people may be different because they speak a different language, or the difference simply may be the color of their skin. You may have interactions with these people and never think twice about their feelings or their culture. Visiting Thailand made me think more in depth about these diverse cultures and made me witness through a first-hand account others’ ways of life.
After high school graduation, I decided on joining the military because it was an easy way of not having to abide by my parents’ rules and regulations any longer. I often remember hearing people ask me, “What if you are sent to another country?” Honestly, I was a selfish teenager who never thought too deeply about anything. The only answer that I had to others was, “There is no way that it will happen to me.” It was not a full year after I joined the military that I was sent to another country. Looking back, this has been the most rewarding and knowledge-filled experience that a person could have.
Once I arrived in Thailand, the humidity about made me pass out. We think that our country is hot, but compared to temperatures that range from 110-120, ours seem very minor. When it is one hundred degrees outside, people in Oklahoma are usually trying to stay inside, but in Thailand the people are all outside working. There are few air-conditioned buildings, and the land is dirty.
I was sent out in this climate to train in a “field setting” for six days. On the fourth day of being extremely hot and overwhelmed with pity for myself, I encountered a Thai family working in this desert. I vaguely remember seeing them approach me, but the meeting that I had with them seems as if it happened yesterday.
The young mother was the closest one to me. The rest of the family seemed distant. It reminded me of a mother cat whose kittens stand away and watch to see what will happen next. I looked up at this woman and smiled. Once she saw me smile, she grinned and moved closer to me. I suppose she needed a simple smile to tell her that it was all right to move forward and approach me. This mother was holding her tiny infant in her arms. This infant could not have been more than six weeks old and was totally nude except for a small blanket that separated the skin between the two. She held out her arms with the infant in them and motioned for me to take the baby. My first thought was that she just wanted me to hold and admire her baby. I gently took the motionless infant in my arms, and the family turned and slowly started walking away. I caught up to them, and her husband, who could speak a little bit of English, told me that they wanted their child to grow up where an American could provide all the necessities needed to live. These parents could not understand that military laws would not permit them to give this baby to me or any other American soldier. I had to give the baby back and walk away.
This one event will never leave my memory. The pity that I had for myself quickly went away, and sorrow filled my heart for these individuals who would have to live in these conditions for the rest of their lives.
Being a part of this culture for just forty-five days gave me a sense of the trials and tribulations other cultures have to go through just to live. Though our cultures were much different, I realized that people of different cultures and countries had more similarities than differences. Just as I worried for them, they worried for their infant. Just as I felt sad for them, they also felt sad. Though language separated us, we were still able to communicate with one another through universal body language and facial expressions. These experiences really taught me the value of a smile. We may live far apart from one another, but we are all people who can recognize good and bad whether we can speak the same language or whether our color is the same. Now I look forward to traveling to different countries and gaining similar experiences which others may never get to live. Not only I can learn from these experiences, but I can help others in learning globally.
WINNING ESSAYS FROM 2003
Global Education and the Foreign Exchange Student
by Tiffeny DoddsMurray State College
Global education is a very important part of education. Students need to know about students from different cultures in order to gain respect for their way of living, their thoughts, and their ideas. We study about other countries in school, we watch videos, and go to movies that show people from other lands. We read newspapers, magazines and books about other countries. Not until a student meets a person from another country, and lives with that student, does all the information about that country become real and meaningful, though. That is why I believe the foreign exchange program is a great way for students to learn about other cultures through global education.
During my junior year of high school, a sixteen year old girl from Japan named Kimi came to live with one of my friend's family. She was very pretty and friendly, and she made friends easily. She had a little difficulty in talking English, but she knew enough English to carry on a conversation. Sometimes it was a little hard to understand her, but we could generally figure out what she was saying. The longer she stayed, though, the better she got at speaking English.
To become a foreign exchange student, a person has to be between the ages of fourteen and nineteen. They fill out an application form which is thoroughly checked. A student has to have at least one year of English class and a grade point average of 2.7. The program wants the student to succeed in school. The transition from their own school to a completely different school would not be easy for all students. Next, the student and his or her family are interviewed in his or her home. Lastly, the student and his/her family must turn in a list of five recommendations. Two of the recommendations have to be from the student's school, teachers, administrative staff, counselors, or advisors. Each of the persons listed on the recommendations are checked out thoroughly. The program wants students who are considerate, friendly, able to succeed, and able to adapt in a new setting.
Families who want to host a foreign exchange student are scrutinized just as much as the student's family who wants to send their child to live in another country. Those wanting to become a host family have to fill out forms and list two references. Then they are carefully screened to find the perfect home for each student. Prospective host families are then given several student packages which include an essay which the students have written about themselves, the student's screening questionnaire, and letters of recommendation, school records and a picture. Once chosen, the host family and student begin to write to one another or call one another. This continues until the student meets his counselor and host family at the airport.
Students are assigned a counselor who interviews the students, and arranges for the students and the host family to attend workshops about the foreign exchange program. They do the screenings of the families who want to become hosts. They help the host family decide which school their child will attend. The counselors are there to help the student during their stay in the host family's home.
Becoming a foreign exchange student allows students to really live with a family in a country of their choosing. They become a part of that family, going to school, church, social activities, etc. They make new and valuable friendships and learn many new and interesting things about their host family, their life, their beliefs, their joys, their sadness and their goals in life.
Kimi did just that. By the time summer got here and it was time for her to go home, she had formed a strong attachment to her host family, her friends at school and the new life she had found. She was very emotional when she had to say goodbye. Kimi's love for her host family continues to this day. She calls her host family Mom and Dad and my friend her sister. They write, call, and visit each other still.
I feel that the foreign exchange program enabled Kimi and her family to form a bond with Americans that will last throughout their lives. The foreign exchange program gave us firsthand opportunities to actually know a girl from a different culture and see that she was more like us than different. I feel that the foreign exchange program plays an important part in the global education of our youth today.
Global Education: Broadening Our Borders
by Robert Garland
Tulsa Community College
Is the world really as big as it seems? Are we really separated by oceans and borders from the rest of the world? As a country, the United States has always been revered as a "salad" of many cultures and ethnicities blended in unity, but are we really that? Americans come in many different shades and hues of color and variety, but we have often allowed only the history of our great nation to be taught in our elementary schools. A gap is formed when this happens that hinders acceptance of other cultures and hides the true roots in which this nation was founded. Through global education we can enrich our society with a sense of understanding that allows us to become the true nation of variety we claim to be.
In order to truly appreciate many of the luxuries we have today, we should look to their roots. Many inventions, schools of thought, and even our own language have their roots in other countries. What would the fourth of July be without fireworks? Without the Chinese invention of fireworks, our celebration of independence would not be the same. Many of the medical and philosophical points of view we share today are based on the thoughts and findings of Greek philosophers such as Plato and Aristotle. Geometry and many other mathematical concepts used for architecture that make beautiful houses and incredible skyscrapers possible were created in Arabic countries. Even our language has its roots of origin in European countries. Without teaching the roots and origins of these things, we take them for granted and do not show true appreciation of their influence.
Without being able to grasp the concept of other religions, we allow ourselves to be open to stereotyping which leads to hate crimes against innocent citizens of our country. We are predominantly a Judeo‑Christian society, having Muslims, Jews, Hindus, and representatives of many other religions living within our borders as fellow citizens. A prime example of our ignorance was displayed shortly after the attacks on September eleventh of 2001. When it was discovered that the attackers were Muslim, many innocent citizens who share the same religion were brutally attacked. The Muslim religion teaches peace and brotherhood and because of the actions of a few extremists, the stereotype that all Muslims are evil was created and acted upon. We can no longer hide behind our borders of American culture and must embrace the world with a sense of understanding so that we can truly become the nation of brotherhood we were intended to be.
Global Education: Global Student: Bridging Cultural Gaps
by Dao Thi Anh Truong
Rose State College
Across the world, many different cultures exist, with people coming from all walks of life. Today, America continues to grow into a more diverse nation with many people in search of a better life and a greater opportunity in the land of the free, It would be impossible to walk down a street and not meet someone from Russia, Vietnam, or even Liberia. Therefore, it is extremely crucial for citizens to be aware of the diversity around them, to grasp the many differences and have a better understanding, and to unite the world by sharing a common knowledge.
Diversity is unique and important in everyday life. Most people would agree that change and variety are good. What would the world be like if everyone was the same? What if everyone were accustomed to only one way of living? If this were so, then many historical events and leaders would not be honored today. People would have never heard of Martin Luther King, Jr. in the Civil Rights Movement, or Mohandas Gandhi in the Indian nonviolence movement. Thus, diversity expresses the need for a deeper understanding of those who exist around us who are different‑a deeper meaning in life.
Understanding the many cultures allows us to actually appreciate the nature of differences. As an Asian American, I have endured hardships growing up in a society extremely different from what would have been own. When I first started elementary school in the United States, people who were either black or white surrounded me. This experience was difficult for me because I felt as if I did not fit in. As I grew older, I was exposed to racial cruelty from other students who made racist remarks, which hurt me greatly. I would ask myself how some people could be so cruel and ignorant. When I became a young adult, I realized the importance in the need of getting others to see and to understand the many differences in the world.
Trying to understand and to become more aware of various cultures allows people to share a common knowledge and interest. The whole beauty with having a diverse nation is actually seeing others welcome and embrace the diversity with open arms. At multicultural events, such as Global Oklahoma, which is hosted by Rose State College, I am truly amazed at all the excitement in many people as they walk from booth to booth, questioning and searching for a deeper understanding of other cultures. As a member of the Vien Giac Lion Dance Team, I have had the honor and opportunity of sharing my culture with others. To me, bridging cultural gaps is an important step in uniting the world because there are many differences, many beliefs, and many ways of thinking that exist in the world.
Diversity is invaluable and should be embraced and recognized. Many cultural gaps exist due to the lack of knowledge or understanding of different cultures. As a global student, my goals are to articulate my vision of having a united nation to others and have them understand the value of sharing the same belief‑the belief that we are all linked together in some way although we can be remarkably different from one another.
WINNING ESSAYS FROM 2002
GLOBAL EDUCATION: THE INTERNET - TODAY'S CLASSROOM
By Rebecca Hurt
Connors State College
The Internet has evolved into a giant classroom. It is available almost everywhere in the world. Many people have access to it in their own homes. If they don’t then there are many other places where a person can gain access such as the public library or a college.
The technology leading to today’s Internet actually began in 1957 when the USSR launched Sputnik, the first artificial earth satellite. The following year the USA formed the Advanced Research Projects Agency within the Department of Defense to establish the lead in science and technology applicable to the military.
Many other developments have been made since that time. TERC was founded in 1965. TERC is a non-profit education research and development organization in Cambridge, Massachusetts. TERC’s mission is to improve mathematics, science and technology teaching and learning.
In 1984, Global Schoolnet was developed which partners with schools, communities, organizations, and businesses to provide collaborative learning activities that prepare students for the workforce and help them to become responsible and literate global citizens. Schoolnet is a member supported not-for-profit education organization with 100,000+ members who can receive information from 25,000+ schools from all 50 states and 85+ countries. This educational service has more than 300,000 web visitors per month and have 1,000,000= pages available for viewing.
When searching the Internet for responses to “global internet education” there were 2,960,000 matches found. Many of these web pages have been available for more than 35 years. They focus on learning activities for children as young as 4-5 years of age to adult education. Almost any topic that a person can imagine can be researched on the4 Internet. Never has LEARNING been so easily accessible.
Many colleges now have assignments that can only be retrieved by getting them on the Internet. This practice not only saves the school financial resources but teaches the student how to use a computer which is an invaluable tool in today’s society. The Internet is easily used- a page will open which will display a “search” in which the desired topic is typed, the results of your search are then displayed and available for opening and reading the desired information.
There are many websites in which a person can interact with other students from another country so that the “lessons” can be shared and learnt from more than one angle of thinking.
I believe that the Internet has opened a whole new world to billions of people.
A person can learn about anything, in any country and the people from another country can, in turn, learn about us. Many children learn the education basics of reading and writing and therefore have developed a love of learning which was not available even 25 years ago. In the USA, hundreds of thousands of people have a computer in their homes and the cost of installing the Internet has become so reasonable in this country that many children literally have the whole world at their fingertips. I also believe at the rate in which technology continues to evolve that this is only the beginning of the learning possibilities yet to come.
MAGICIANS WE'RE NOT
By Tana VonTungeln
Redlands Community College
Life isn’t fair. It’s like a box of chocolates; you never know what you’re going to get. Society is much like that box of chocolates; we meet and greet many and choose a few that become our favorites. The world of today is much different from that of our grandparents and their grandparents. In today’s society, we have the technology to achieve things never attempted before, causing the world to become one. However, problems can arise if the proper steps are not taken to bridge the gap between the different cultures so that we do truly become one nation with a promise of “liberty and justice for all.” By educating people now about differing cultures and lifestyles throughout the world, we can lessen the chance to repeat the way African Americans were once treated in our country.
Alice Walker, author of “Everyday Use,” a story of heritage in which Walker reveals the injustices of her own life, was born an African American woman in 1944. She spent most of her own life, “exploring the oppressions, the insanities, the loyalties, and the triumphs of black women.” During this time in the United States, African Americans were treated very badly just because of the color of their skin and the fact that they were not of American Heritage. These same injustices have been going on for years in every country. Daily we hear stories of bombings in Ireland, riots and shootings in Israel, Nazi emblems sprayed on the walls of synagogues, and terrorism attacks throughout the world-ignorance, perhaps?
The injustices that have manifested themselves over the years can be reduced by all of us building bridges and mending fences. Barriers between people need not be removed if never put in place. Returning gunfire is not necessary if the initial shot was never fired. To paraphrase the words of former president Bill Clinton in discussing Israel and Palestine, “If people would just quit shooting at each other, then things would be okay. When you find yourself in a hole, stop digging.” We aren’t magicians. We don’t have magic wands that will magically make all the problems of the world disappear. What we can do is educate everyone to understand each other. Through education comes understanding; through understanding comes education.
We are not striving for a world of perfection. We were not born nor will we die in a state of utopia, but if we try today, maybe, we can change the world in which our children’s children will live. We live in a diverse society; that diversity is not the problem- not accepting people is. We as a society know much has been done and any man or woman of any race, color, or creed can look another directly can look another directly in the eye without feeling shame, doubt, or inferiority. Yes, we have triumphed throughout history, and just as authors have written inspiring literary examples if injustices rendered and justice served, we know in both the written and spoken mediums, nationally and internationally, respect is being offered; lives are being touched, and equality is being achieved.
A BURGEONING GLOBAL STUDENT
By Audrey Semore
Rose State College
A Global Student can be anything from a tourist in a foreign country, to a foreign language student, to a foreign exchange student. If a person visits a foreign country as part of a vacation and learns of that country’s culture, I would consider that individual a Global Student. It is also possible to learn about a foreign country in a classroom right here in the United States, just by enrolling in a foreign language class. However, when most people think “Global Student,” they often consider one who is studying abroad as a foreign exchange student. A person can become a Global Student by touring a country, enrolling in a foreign language course, or studying abroad.
Last summer, I visited France and Italy and my friends and I were able to see interesting monuments such as the Eiffel tower, the Gardens/Palace of Versailles, the flowing streets of Venice, the ocean filled caves in Capri, and the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Not only did I learn more about these National treasures but I also learned the languages better while I was visiting these countries. I learned about people and places while I was in these countries that I never would have looked twice at if I had seen them in a book. My visit to France and Italy was truly a learning experience. I believe because of this trip, I am on the way to becoming a Global Student.
Another type of Global Student would be a student enrolled in a foreign language class. When I took Spanish in middle school, I learned much more than the language. I also learned about Spanish-speaking countries and their cultures. When I took French in high school, I learned about French cultures and customs. Being a Global Student does not always mean a person has to spend a great deal of money on a vacation to another country. That person can simply enroll in a foreign language class, and take time to study and learn about that country’s language.
The most intensive method to being a Global Student is through studying abroad in a foreign exchange program. I personally would love to study in Australia and visit the ancient theaters, eat exotic food, experience their public transportation, and converse with the locals. I would like to experience another cultures way of life everyday. To study at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts, or at the University of Sydney would be a wonderful way for this Okie to a be a genuine Global Student. I believe that the most effective way to be a Global Student is to get a first hand look at a different country and its culture.
Being a Global Student requires hard work and dedication from
the student; in some cases it requires money. Anyone can be a Global
Student with motivation and effort. I think everyone should experience
being a Global Student by touring a foreign country, enrolling in a
foreign language class, or studying abroad. Being a Global Student is a
great experience that I would encourage every student to have.
GLOBAL EDUCATION AND ITS IMPORTANCE IN THE WORLD TODAY
By Joe Williams
Oklahoma City Community College
The idea of a world united together to serve a common good, bridging civilizations and cultures, was probably a laughable one at the turn of the nineteenth century. Today, however, such an idea has become a reality. Isolationism and lack of concern about world issues serves no one’s best interests in today’s economy. With the advent of global communications, the Internet and mass transportation, there is a growing need for economies to open to world trade. Countries now have a profound interest in establishing economic ties with other nations. Globalization requires us to reduce certain gaps or lapses in the area of education. No longer is it tolerable to have an educational curriculum that does not expose our students to countries and cultures beyond our borders. Recognizing the need for global education, the academic community must take steps to see its implementation as a fundamental stage to measure the success of the nations of the world.
The need for global education is vast, and will continue to grow at unprecedented speed in the coming years. Developments over the last twenty years have made the interaction with other nations predictable. Attempts at international cooperation are often marred or thwarted by crucial misunderstandings between nations. The ability for a nation to recognize the importance of understanding differences increases the possibility for fruitful, communication. In order to be prepared for the reality of the global age, a global curriculum is a necessity to students today.
Good global education should consist of much more than simple facts and figures about other nations. The keys to future global interaction should be taught now, to better prepare a student who will depend on the knowledge to guide him or her through the globalized world. The educational process should engage students in the understanding of cultural differences and similarities, all the while emphasizing tolerance. Students need these skills in order to better identify with a globally interdependent world.
To accomplish these goals, college curriculum should reflect these issues in depth and detail. Global education should be a critical function of teacher training, because our teachers need to educate students on global issues such as ecological integrity, peace, human rights, politics, and economic and social well-being. Without a basic understanding of the importance of these virtues the ability to function successfully in a global environment are diminished.
Recent changes in the last decade have made the world a much
smaller place. The twenty-first century will be a far more globalized
era than any other in history. The changing global environment will
offer superior economic opportunities. Preparing for changes should
coincide with an enhanced and thorough global education curriculum for
students. Only through education can we expect to achieve a greater
understanding of the globalized world. A global education will build
mutual respect and camaraderie required of nations functioning within
an interdependent economic and social systems.
THE WORD “IF”
By Heather Fuhr
Redlands Community College
The words of Henry David Thoreau state, “Go confidently in the direction of your dreams; live the life that you have imagined.” What a profound statement! Today the world has very skewed viewpoints concerning individuals. People judge, discriminate and demonstrate acts of hatred without valuing the worth of individuals. Our world needs to look into the true value of individuals’ souls and stop making judgments based upon skin color, appearance, and financial status. If we continue living life as we do today, corruption could be imminent, because as philosopher John Locke believed, everyone is born with a clean slate, tabula rasa, and we must then as humans, be mindful of what colors our slate.
Children worldwide are taught from infancy words filled with hatred, acts filled with violence and slurs filled with racism. As these innocent young children’s minds are being filled with negativity, they begin to develop feelings of hatred in their own minds and consider these thoughts to be normal.
Speaking from personal experience, I know firsthand how cruel society can be. As a child, I was ridiculed about my weight and my “less then perfect skin.” It was terribly painful that others did not see me for the true person that I was inside; instead, they saw me for the outward “worldly” appearance. We, as individuals, must work to change these horribly detrimental mindframes of children and adults alike.
In my community with a large number of African Americans, I have seen first hand the horrible acts that have been committed against them and the hideous racial comments that are used against them everyday. An excellent example of hatred that had grown between the different races and classes of people of our world is demonstrated in the poem, “The Cold Within.” This poem demonstrates racial prejudice and societal classes. At the conclusion, everyone dies because they are too blinded in the ways of the world to realize that if they do not help one another, that they will all die. Thus, they all die, not from external elements, but from the coldness and bitterness in their hearts.
We, as a society, must work with each other to overcome our
differences and allow everyone equal educational and employment
opportunities. With our world working together, the possibilities are
limitless. In a united global society, everyone could reach for all of
their life long dreams, and equality in all races and classes of
society could finally become possible. If everyone were able to achieve
his or her dreams, imagine what would be achieved. What a big word, is
the word “if.”
Six humans trapped by happenstance
In black and bitter cold
Each one possessed a stick of wood,
Or so the story's told.
Their dying fire in need of logs,
The first woman held hers back,
For their faces around the fire
She noticed one of them was black.
The next man looking across the way
Saw one not of his church,
And couldn't bring himself to give
The first stick of birch.
The third one sat in tattered clothes
He gave his coat a hitch.
Why should his log be put to use
To warm the idle rich?
The rich man just sat back and thought
Of the wealth he had in store
And how to keep what he had earned
From the lazy, shiftless poor.
The black man's face bespoke revenge
As the fire passes from sight.
For all he saw in his stick of wood
Was a chance to spite the white.
And the last man of the forlorn group
Did naught except for gain
Giving only to those who gave
Was ho he played the game.
The logs held tight in death's still hands
Was proof of human sin.
They did not die from the cold without
They died from the cold within.
- Anonymous
A GLOBAL STUDENT
By Shawna Mulwa
Rose State College
I have taught pre-school age children for almost thirteen years now, so education has always been important to me. In the last two years, however, is has become important for me personally. Numerous researchers and studies change the way we view our occupations almost on a daily basis. Further education is essential if we plan to stay abreast of these changes for the betterment of ourselves and our professions. There is no longer an excuse for not seeking or delaying higher education. We must always remember to role model this love of learning to those following in our footsteps, whether they be our children, co-workers, or others who watch for our examples. We must demonstrate to them that no matter how old we become, our learning never ceases.
As we embrace these changes in our occupations, we must also remember that our views of the world as a whole are becoming as diverse as our educational opportunities. In my teaching experiences alone, I have had five children form Japan, two form India, two form China, and from Turkey. We must be willing to expand our education and personal experiences to include the different cultures which are quickly becoming a part of our every day world. Learning about their cultures and their individual languages can help to bridge many gaps. We must be willing to introduce and teach our children these languages and cultures as well, for their world will be much more diverse than ours already is.
I was lucky enough to be able to bring culture directly into my home. My husband of three years is from Kenya, Africa. Together we have three boys, age nine, two, and one. The boys and I greatly enjoy hearing daddy’s stories of home and watching daddy dance to his “crazy” African music. He has taught us games he learned as a child and some of his native language, KiSwahili. We have even tasted traditional African dishes that he cooks himself.
Naturally, when you bring two cultures together under one roof, there will always be culture issues and differences to deal with. We have definitely learned the importance of communication. We have to remember we each grew up on different continents and with different ideals and views. A word or phrase can mean one thing to one of us, and have a completely different meaning for the other. Further education is again the key. We must learn where the other has come from in order to communicate effectively.
In conclusion, we must stay prepared to expand our
educational experiences outside our own comfort zones, for example;
taking a third language course even though it may not be required to
complete our major. Taking the time to get to know someone from a
different culture on a more personal level than we normally would is
always a great way to expand our knowledge. If we are willing to do
this, the possibilities for success for ourselves and our children,
will be without limits.
THE FUTURE OF GLOBAL EDUCATION
By Melinda Faye Goodnight
Connors State College
Warner-Muskogee, Oklahoma
In the United States, there has always been a global connection of some degree. From the time when the colonies relied upon trade with other nations for the staples of life to the foreign policies of today, the United States is no stranger to globalization. But now we are realizing that globalization has taken on a new meaning of reaching beyond our own borders to shape the communication between nations, economies and cultures. This is where global education comes into play and now stands at the realm of learning.
It is time to educate American students globally to give them the upper hand in the 21st century. As time marches on, our children of today will undoubtedly become our leaders of tomorrow. Our world is changing and so we must change our country's knowledge to include the flourishing global problems and issues. It is obvious these topics will neither resolve themselves nor go away. Global education is a lifelong process to be embarked upon immediately. With the increasing connectiveness through the information superhighway as well as the disappearance of barriers between nations and individuals, Americans must realize that global literacy is necessary and essential; there is no turning back.
There are many factors of global education that bang to light the vital need for understanding of areas such as the study of culture, world history, geography, civics, science and the arts, as well as government, telecommunications and technology. Students should be provided with this knowledge and be willing to use it to enable them to function as competent American citizens in a time when our global environment is complex and changing so rapidly.
Whether dining out at a Mexican, Chinese or Italian restaurant or buying clothing or automobiles manufactured abroad, Americans will all, even in the smallest sense, be touched by the global economy. In the future, however, the outlook is a world that is constantly moving in a direction where interrelation and interdependence will soon dominate. Students should be encouraged to understand that most global issues are challenging and complex. They must feel equipped to cope effectively with the global realities they must face as adults. Most Americans learn about world issues through the media; it is necessary to teach our students how to make choices and gain the knowledge responsibly by educating them early on.
As our nation moves toward relationships that are cohesive with other countries, concerns and problems are bound to surface. Students must be taught some basic terminology and fundamental concepts and spend a great deal of time discussing, in depth, the dominating global issues. They must be familiar enough with these issues to logically examine others. Having too little knowledge on any subject is a dangerous thing, rather students should have a profound knowledge in a few particular areas.
Students, after studying some global issues and problems should be aware of human rights movements, global economic interdependence, the consequences of wars and how to make attempts to establish peace. Their skills should arm them with knowledge to identify solutions, consequences and implement the best solutions with the right actions. Their thoughtfulness, wisdom, and patience will demonstrate their genuine understanding that we have only one world, one human race and that we need intelligent, caring leaders and citizens for the future.
GLOBALLY THINKING
By Anthony Douglas
Rose State College
When should global thinking be taught in school? Consumers are not just people, but corporations, governments, non-profit organizations, and other entities that consume goods and services. One should consider the stock market, banking, and transportation as a part of the world global market.
It is important to understand how global market policies interface with other cultures and how they affect the trade of commercial and consumer lending. In today's world monetary exchange stocks, mutual funds, and bonds are all a part of the global economy. Government policies on politics, civil rights, and consumer behavior all work together in the business environment. Governments react to policies and mergers partially dependent on how the culture and economy react to those policies. Cultural, economic, and political diversity also create a strong world economy that values diversity. Predicting the trends in business cycles can make the difference between profits and losses.
As the world becomes smaller and moves closer together, businesses of the new millennium will need to find ways to conserve natural resources. Quality assurance, testing, and evaluation are tools used in the business process. The laws that govern geography are important because business needs to understand how it affects export and import of raw materials. Manufacturing and recycling of raw materials into a finished product affects the global market. Marketing and distributing are important steps in the economic process. Economics must be considered a part of global thinking in order to have a clean and healthy world environment.
Today's businesses should know how important it is to communicate to get the best outcome they desire. Communications and the ability to speak several languages will be necessary. Learning a foreign language is not a luxury anymore, but a necessity. In fact, most cultures outside of the United States already speak two or more languages, while our school systems do not make it mandatory to learn a foreign language. The Internet is a new way of communicating ideas, to buying and selling goods. Because of new technologies like the Internet, it has allowed for daily and hourly conversations with people around the world in the global market field.
Teaching global thinking in college can have a strong impact on the economy and is a new way to reach untapped resources and preserve current ones. Economics and politics go hand in hand when setting government and corporate policies. Planning for the future must include all of the above elements, for potential businesses to survive in today's world.
THE GLOBAL GARDEN
By Meredith McCollum
Oklahoma State University - OKC
The world we live in is full of continuous change; however, cultures, languages and tradition all tend to remain the same. Have you ever wanted to learn more about your heritage and ancestry? Well, now is the time. It's wonderful to travel, to see new things, meet new people and bring back some very special moments that will never be forgotten. Globalizing education is an excellent way to enrich the minds and lives of all people.
This summer I had an extraordinary, once in a lifetime experience. Through a program at my school I had the opportunity to go on a nine day excursion to Italy. While I was in Italy I learned more in nine days than I could in any year long course. The physical experience allowed me to take in more information than any textbook available. I inhaled a large amount of history and knowledge just by being so close to the artwork and culture. Italy was my "classroom" and it was there that I have learned the most. Education is not limited to a stationary classroom. Books are an asset; however, they are not enough to penetrate even the thinnest of surfaces. Intelligence is not just something that you read about and study for. Intelligence is something you experience.
Through my experience, I learned quite a bit about myself and just how different other societies are from America. I have come to realize that we Americans are not as supreme and wonderful as we believe we are. Our so‑called values and morals are what we are hiding behind as we run from the truth about ourselves. Other countries embrace their past and it seems we, as Americans, want to deny our own. America is one of the youngest civilized countries in the world. We are infants, yet we are full of the highest technologies and advancements. After proving ourselves throughout the years‑ through war, capitalism, and government‑ we have still forgotten one of the most important aspects in life... the past.
By traveling to this foreign land, I learned many new things about myself. I learned to appreciate different cultures and expanded my horizons to the limits in the process. Education is more than just a series of thoughts. Education is a lifelong process that needs to be taken care of and nurtured. If education gets to the point of becoming a globalized issue, then the entire world can have the knowledge and the know‑how to accomplish just about anything that they desire. All the third world countries and the destitute areas of our own country could flourish and prosper as they were meant to in the beginning.
Our minds are like gardens ...everything that we are taught absorbs into our "gardens" like a fertilizer, and that is how we grow as individuals. From kindergarten through graduate school, the seeds of knowledge have been planted into our minds, and slowly they have grown. Every day our gardens grow higher and stronger as we reach up to the sky in hopes of one day touching the stars. We must allow the entire world's "garden" to grow, and I believe that through this theory of globalizing education we can reach that goal. Education is the key. As Americans we were taught the basic minimum skills it takes to survive in our world; however, there are many countries that still have not supplied this general education which causes a great inequality. We must do our share in order to allow all the children of the earth to grow their own precious garden.