The articles highlighted various points about global education and its importance. While reading I thought about the many strengths of BB&N's world language programs; our students have such wonderful and rich opportunities to learn foreign languages, to participate in exchanges, and even to study abroad. As the reading pointed out, these types of educational programs play a crucial part in fostering global competency for our students.
One point of interest: Reimers reminds us that educating for global competence sometimes "competes with alternative purposes." For example, a currently common educational goal has been to educate students for economic competitiveness, so that they can be competitive job seekers in the world economy. Economic competitiveness usually focuses upon improving one's national or regional position in comparison to that of others; it is not compatible with global civility, which is based upon understanding, solidarity, and empathy for others. I was drawn to this as an interesting, core dilemma. Obviously this can lead us to contemplate global competition, the vast economical disparities which exist worldwide, and to thoughts about our political beliefs, personal values, and world view. On a much smaller scale, I thought about competition at BB&N, and about how it coexists with our school's strong focus upon kindness and empathy. I have been very impressed with the generous and compassionate spirit of the students at BB&N. I also think that the balance of competition and solidarity is delicate, at BB&N and elsewhere.
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