Cultural convergence

    I am ashamed to say that I don't know much about other cultures. I haven't traveled around the world—though I adore the experiences my friends describe. I haven't even done much national exploration. I did make it to Washington DC, but only through school.

  More and more, though, international isn't such a great barrier. There is technology that creates opportunities for international exploration that never before existed. But is it really the same?

  I certainly don't think so. I don't believe there is anything quite like experiencing different cultures first-hand. That is one of the benefits of college.

  International Education Week was first held in 2000 and is celebrated by more than 100 countries worldwide, according to the U.S. Department of State/U.S. Department of Education.

  Muskingum also celebrates the importance of international education. There have been events going on all week that demonstrate the importance of cultural convergence, of coming together and accepting one another and most importantly—learning from one another.

  International education is an important factor in today's society. The reality is that you're going to be competing against people from all over the world. If you are able to widen your knowledge of the world, you are going to prove yourself as a better candidate.

  Now, there's not much to be said for me. Coming to Muskingum has certainly allowed more opportunity to experience other cultures—much of which I've taken advantage.

  International Education Week is not just to celebrate the international students, nor is it just to focus on the competitiveness of the world. It is to set forth a precedent, an ideal, a norm—it is to say that things aren't how they used to be. There is more competition, more opportunity, and more expectation. Isn't that the point of advancement?

  So more and more we see this convergence of cultures. We see international students in many institutions all over the globe. The study of a secondary language is an increasing necessity. We are growing more interested in the cultures of other countries, and more apt to share our own. We are working our way towards a single world, rather than a divided one.

  This is a little exaggerated, of course. We're taking baby steps. No, the world isn't going to be conflict-free. No, we aren't going to know what's going on where, and we're not going to freely and easily travel from one place to the next without some tension along the way. But we're increasing communication. We're increasing knowledge. We're increasing interdependence—at least in the education sector.

  We're creating opportunities and generating experiences.

  Through the efforts of few, I have the opportunities to learn about other cultures. I have the opportunities to be competitive amongst people all over the world. I have the opportunity to be a resident of the United States that can transition to a resident of another country with some great deal of ease.

  Given, these opportunities are limited. But big things have to start somewhere, right?