Reader response

In Picardo's article(2012), he states the importance for students to develop greater global awareness and better understanding of other cultures. He agrees with Marcel Proust, that by working with other people we learn about their cultures and become able to explore new ideas and prospects leading us to choices that have never come to our mind. He states that students need to be guided during their "process of discovery" to gain better understandings of the world. Thus, schools can help the students through various ways like foreign exchange programs. He also states that modern means of communication such as social networks and video conferencing make it easier for students experience foreign cultures. He believes that global awareness and international collaboration during the formative years results in more rounded individuals, encouraging our pupils to see things from different perspectives and helping them to make informed decisions, acquiring transferable skills that will be useful to them and will remain with them for life. He also mentions that according to the Association of Graduate Recruiters companies cannot find enough applicants with the requisite skills to operate in an international market place, indicating that greater efforts by schools in fostering global awareness and international collaboration are needed to best prepare our students - and ourselves - for life in the 21st century.

I agree with the author's view that it is important for students to have global awareness and understandings of other cultures. In a globalized world today, there is a growing need of talents that can work with people from other cultures. Therefore, students need  to learn different cultures so that they can have a bigger platform for their careers ahead. In my country, China, there is a growing need of talents that have experience of studying abroad. These people are often more competitive and are able to see problems in different ways. Since the country is relying on foreign countries to keep its speed of development, these traits are becoming more and more valuable, therefore it is important for students to possess them.

I agree with the author's view that "students should be guided through the process of discovery so that a deeper understanding of their own place in the word is developed".  As for students, their thoughts are not mature enough and their knowledge may not be enough to develop deep understandings of foreign cultures when they are abroad. Therefore, it will be helpful to students to have some guide. From my own experience, schools can not only help students to gain deeper understanding of new cultures but also help students to understand new cultures in a faster way.As a foreign student myself in Singapore, I find the bridging course provided by my secondary school really useful in teaching me the local culture and merging into it. To me school shortens the distance of the new environment and me, thus making me easier to accept  new cultures. Therefore, schools can and should help students to know more about other cultures.

In conclusion, I agree with the author that it is important to develop greater global awareness and schools' role of guiding the students in their "process of discovery" is important for students to gain a deeper understanding of other cultures. In a globalized situation, students' global awareness and the ability to take in new cultures are greatly valued. As the place where education happens, schools can and should take more actions to nurture those traits in their students.

References

Jose Picardo. (2012) Why students need a global awareness and understanding of other culture. Retrieved from: http://www.theguardian.com/teacher-network/2012/sep/25/students-global-awareness-other-cultures