The pros and cons of Internationalising education
Today, with the world being more connected than ever, it is important to discuss the internationalisation of education. Luckily, there are many possibilities for students to study abroad, and try various cultures. We can see different programs either at high schools or later at universities. Internationalising education can be seen as “one of the ways a country responds to the impact of globalisation, yet at the same time respects the individuality of the nation.” (Zha, 2003) This can be done through various means, such as curriculum development, student exchange programs, and collaboration with international institutions.
Here are some possible advantages of internationalising education:
- Discovering a new culture: Globalising education allows students to engage with people, from other countries and with different backgrounds, encouraging an understanding of the world and supporting cultural awareness.
- Improving academic quality: By integrating different perspectives into the curriculum, students can achieve a wider global understanding of their field of study, resulting in a higher quality of education.
- Developing global skills: Globalising education can help students develop competencies such as cross-cultural communication, adaptability, and critical thinking which are crucial in today’s interconnected working environment.
- Expanded opportunities for cooperation and research: Globalising education enables partnerships between institutions supporting the exchange of knowledge and resources for research and innovation.
On the other side, there are also some disadvantages to globalising education:
- Language barriers: Students and faculty can communicate in languages other than their native tongue, which can create challenges and affect their ability to fully participate in academic efforts.
- Difficulties in adapting to cultures: Adapting to cultural environments can be tough, for students, particularly about social norms, values, and communication styles.
- Considering the expenses: Bringing internationalisation programs into action can come with covering costs, for training faculty staff, travel, and developing programs.
- Limitations in merging: Education internationalisation might face obstacles, like coordinating structures and curriculum demands among global schools.
Resources:
- Qiang, Z. (2003). Internationalization of Higher Education: Towards a Conceptual Framework. Policy Futures in Education, 1(2), 248–270. https://doi.org/10.2304/pfie.2003.1.2.5
