How can a Global Awareness program help students thrive as global citizens?

Education is imperious for each one of us, and it has been an ongoing thing since birth. However, each age stage has a different education path, and High School is one stage where you get to when you need to interact with as many audiences as possible to become a fit for a future person.

The globalized world we live in asks for domestic education to access global needs and trends and prepare people for global life.?

Global education or international education started first with international school subjects like international history, global geography, international literature, and now developed in more areas. Schools must answer to the growing economic and cultural divides by integrating them into their educational curriculum.?

“In a knowledge economy, education is the new currency by which nations maintain economic competitiveness and global prosperity. Education today is inseparable from the development of human capital.” (Secretary Arne Duncan, March 3, 2011)

Why global awareness?

Students should be engaged in what is happening in today’s world and be prepared to deal with global challenges. Any global awareness program changes as the world grow, and we have to deal with different situations. They shift, and they are constantly changing, so an international awareness program that is updated to what is happening at the moment is imperious.?

The big states are not the only ones that have multicultural societies nowadays. Almost every country is a multicultural society we have to live in, and understanding various cultures helps everyone live in peace and communicate easier.?

Global means:

• Socially and culturally through media, travel, migration
• Economically through trade and international finance
• Environmentally through sharing the same planet
• Politically through international relations?

A global awareness program helps students?

• Understand that they are part of an interconnected society in which they have to live.?
• Better integrate with the community?
• Understand why sustainability matters?

It understands the different geographies, histories, economies, and religions, transforming into a different perspective on the world and other people they interact with.?

The meaning of a globally competent student

A globalized student is the one that knows cultural awareness on issues that cross the international borders, proficiency in other languages than his mother tongue, competencies that will help them work closely with their global peers to address any situation that may appear.?

Language barriers should be overcome by studying English as an international language and trying to at least understand other foreign languages. This will help understand better a nation’s culture and improve communication and working relationships later in life. “If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart.” (Nelson Mandela)

A globally competent student means more than this – it means the ability to learn from others, engage internationally through disciplines, participate in international exchange, and the eagerness to communicate culturally appropriate.?

It is not only about the competitive advantage being globally aware can offer them; they can contribute to this world and grow a healthier world from all perspectives. It is not about an individual but us as global citizens, working to make things better.?

Global competencies should be accessible to every student as these are essential skills in our world.?

How can global awareness help grow a well-rounded individual

One of the Global Awareness programs is the Global Awareness experience model that Spark School is promoting. Their understanding of global awareness goes deeper into learning about cultures, politics, and international issues while also allowing them to choose their learning journey.?

We have learned over the years that everything mandatory is received as a tick in the box. Thus allowing students to have a personalized learning journey that will help them make their own choices according to their curiosities and interests will give better results than expected.

This program will:

• Grow an open-minded student that will have a better understanding of cultural differences and global issues.
• Help the students become more self–aware.
• Understand sustainability, why it matters in a globalized world and how they can help.?
• Create a positive attitude towards making their contribution to a better world.?
• Offer the opportunity to real-life happenings and interact with experts in the field.?

Conclusion

Bringing global values together is where global awareness should begin – once the values are settled, it is easier to continue with an international curriculum.?

Thus, everyone can succeed internationally with an education that offers a global perspective and engagement.

We have begun seeing what education can do – it helps eliminate gender inequality, reduce poverty, create a more sustainable planet and foster peace. So let us continue our path to educating as many people as possible and making it accessible anytime, from anywhere, and for anyone.?

Global awareness will help people live harmoniously in multicultural communities, thrive in a changing labor market, use their knowledge effectively and responsibly, and form generations that can engage in tackling global issues.?