International Education is the process of learning and teaching about issues that pertain to or impact nations and their populations. The term “international” refers to activities that occur between nations, while “education” refers to the acquisition or dissemination of knowledge.
International education refers to educational programs that rely on international collaboration, exchange, and learning experiences. International education relates to the mobility of students and scholars or an exchange of information and ideas from more than one country. This type of education aims to provide students with a broader understanding of global issues, cultures, and perspectives. It often involves studying abroad, participating in international research projects, or engaging in cross-cultural activities. Additionally, international education involves the exchange and professional development of scholars and administrators, as well as the involvement of different types of linkages, agreements, and understandings between institutions in different countries. In the academic field, international education helps develop intercultural competencies, language skills, and a global mindset, preparing individuals for success in an increasingly interconnected world. International education does not require a person to be physically present in another country, as virtual exchange programs and online learning opportunities also contribute to its goals. It is the exchange of knowledge that is key in the learning process.
Therefore, International Education is content that relates to more than one nation with the purpose of learning.
Examples of international education include learning about global conflicts such as the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict, territorial disputes between nations, learning about historical events, an exchange between scholars from one country to another, a study abroad program, writing a scholarly article between professors from more than one nation, learning pedagogy from a different country, learning a language, and many more are examples of international education.
Learning about international issues can also raise global concerns, such as examining global environmental issues and their impact on different regions, such as like the example of deforestation leading to global warming.
Brief History of International Education
International education can be traced back to the history of cultural exchange and education, playing a crucial role in the development of civilizations. The Phoenicians (1500-300 BC) were a great maritime people living in the Eastern Mediterranean, engaging in trade with other regions. Through this trade, they had an important exchange of knowledge and ideas. The Egyptians were among the first known educators, and as such, they had individuals from different places teaching their skills to the kings and aristocrats. Throughout human history, there have been refugees and slaves who passed on their knowledge to their masters. Another example of cultural exchange was the Romans, who sent their wealthy youth to Greece to learn literature, philosophy, administration, trade, and other skills.
The first university in the world was established in Fez, Morocco, and dates back to 895 AD. Fatima bint Muhammad Al-Fihriya Al-Qurashiya University had people from different places and was an important educational hub.
A more “contemporary” account of this critical knowledge exchange was created in the universities’ 13th and 14th centuries. One of the oldest universities of its time was the University of Bologna, Italy, which was established in the year 1088 and had an important exchange of students and scholars.
International education contributes to the meaning and use of international frameworks (a framework is a set of rules or norms that tell you what to teach). what does this mean?? When you use an international perspective, you make connections and conclusions based on several or more countries, and you are using an international framework.
International Education Week
International Education Week is just one aspect of international education and should be understood within the broader context of international education. It originated as a way to celebrate international initiatives at educational institutions. Scholars categorize International Education Week as part of the field of comparative education, which focuses on studying, learning, comparing, and evaluating different education systems. Over time, as exchanges and agreements between institutions and scholars gained popularity, International Education Week evolved into a platform for sharing information about these agreements and exchanges among universities.
The field of international education is and will be evolving; we still have a long way to go to make the concept fair and recognizable to all. The field has a strong proven theoretical framework that has not been completely understood. The standards of international education must be much higher. Let’s not forget that international education has been a trend that grew very rapidly. The international education field grew in such a manner that many of the people involved had little academic and experiential knowledge in the area. As a consequence, the terminology had extrapolation from areas of study/knowledge that are decontextualized, which has done more harm than good. Many jumped on the bandwagon, which advertised schools, programs, and ideas where students could acquire international and cross-cultural skill sets that, in the end, they barely recognized. I know I opened a can of worms, but it is only moral to do so.
Why is International Education Important?
International Education holds significance due to its ability to expose individuals to diverse perspectives and cultures. By broadening our horizons and enriching our experiences, it enhances our knowledge base. This accumulation of information enables us to build upon existing knowledge, appreciate variations, and potentially devise solutions to various challenges.
