International Student Program Increases World Understanding

An international student program can increase world understanding. How? International students, citizens of one country who study in another country generally return to their countries of origin. They return with an understanding of another culture and a realization that the world is a big place and that all human beings have more in common than they have different.

An Example of an International Student and the Benefits From Knowing One

As an example an international student from Costa Rica, a central American country, who is chosen to study in the United States could wind up studying at a small college in any of the 50 states where the culture is quite different from what he or she may be used to. The international student could be in Missouri studying at a state university with a mixture of white, black, Hispanic and Asian American students or the international student could go to Hawaii, a state well known for diversity and tolerance among various groups where the chances are that the white, black, and Hispanic students will also have a smattering of Chinese, Japanese and Polynesian students. Alternately the international student could to New York City and study in a truly international city that is a part of America among the grandchildren of Italian immigrants, Eastern European Jewish immigrants, those of Irish descent and many others. In all of these circumstances the international student will gain an understanding of the cultures and subcultures of classmates and of the history of the host nation and of the individual region. International Students Help Us Become Informed and Knowledgeable

The international student will also be teaching the citizens of the host nation, whether intentional or not. Most people are curious about other cultures. Do they eat the same foods? Do they celebrate the same holidays? What are the differences and how are they alike? The international student will be involved in conversations with the host country residents that they meet and all people involved will increase their understanding. The result will be more informed and knowledgeable people.

Many people believe that the world would be a better place if there were more international students and more exchange programs. Wars often start between cultures that do not understand each other and an international student program will certainly increase understanding. The more we know about each other, the less likely we are to fight about our differences.

If you or someone you know is interested in an international student program there are financial aid packages available. These include study abroad loans, grants and other financial instruments that will allow someone to participate in an international student program and visit another country for an extended period of time.