From a podcast interview with Meredith McQuaid, an International Education Consultant & Strategic Advisor with over 15 years of SIO experience.

Key Takeaways

• International education profoundly impacts the overall student experience, regardless of background or field of study.
• Personal stories and testimonials from students who have had transformative experiences abroad can be powerful arguments in support of the value of international education.
• Finding ways to persuade stakeholders who may have little exposure to international education experiences is important.
• Strategies such as video testimonials and classroom observations can effectively showcase the impact of international education.
• Faculty members can play a crucial role in creating a more inclusive and cross-cultural learning environment, which can lead to positive student outcomes.

The Impact of International Education on Students

International education can transform students’ lives, both academically and personally. Meredith McQuaid, an advocate for international education, highlights its profound impact on students’ experiences. She shares an example from the Carlson School of Management, where scholarships enabled students to have international experiences. When these students shared their experiences with the board, it inspired board members to raise more funds for scholarships, recognizing the value of international education in shaping well-rounded employees.

Meredith emphasizes that international education's impact goes beyond academic knowledge. It teaches students about different cultures, broadens their perspectives, and enhances their ability to communicate and collaborate with people from diverse backgrounds. These skills are invaluable in today’s globalized world, where businesses operate internationally. By exposing students to different cultures and ways of thinking, international education equips them with the tools they need to succeed in a global workforce.

Engaging Faculty in Cross-Cultural Communication

Engaging faculty in cross-cultural communication and inclusivity training is crucial to creating a truly inclusive and enriching international education experience. Meredith shares an initiative at the University of Minnesota, where experts observed faculty members in the classroom to identify areas for improvement in engaging non-traditional students, including international students.

The observations revealed that faculty members often unintentionally created barriers to inclusivity. For example, their teaching materials and examples were heavily focused on American culture, making it difficult for international students to participate fully. Additionally, faculty members did not actively facilitate diverse study groups, leading students to form groups with others who looked like them. These observations highlighted the need for faculty members to be more aware of cross-cultural communication and take proactive steps to create an inclusive learning environment.

By providing faculty members with feedback and support, the University of Minnesota motivated them to improve their teaching methods. Faculty members who embraced the opportunity to enhance their cross-cultural communication skills saw positive changes in student engagement and evaluations. This demonstrates the importance of empowering faculty to create an inclusive and culturally sensitive learning environment that benefits all students.

Communicating the Broader Impact of International Education

While personal anecdotes and testimonials powerfully convey the impact of international education, it is essential to find ways to measure and communicate the broader impact to stakeholders who may not be directly involved in the classroom. Meredith acknowledges that relying solely on student testimonials or videos would be impractical and insufficient.

To effectively communicate the value of international education, it is necessary to demonstrate how it benefits individual students and the larger community. Meredith suggests that showcasing the success of international students who have integrated into the local community and made significant contributions can be a persuasive argument for the importance of international education. Stakeholders can be convinced of its value by highlighting the positive outcomes of international education, such as increased cultural competence and the ability to navigate global markets.

Additionally, finding ways to measure the impact of international education on students’ academic and personal growth is crucial. While it may be challenging to quantify students' transformative experiences during their international education journeys, developing metrics that capture the broader impact is essential. By collecting data on student outcomes, such as improved critical thinking skills, increased cultural awareness, and enhanced employability, universities can provide concrete evidence of the value of international education.

Conclusion

International education can transform students’ lives and prepare them for a globalized world. Exposing students to different cultures and perspectives broaden their horizons and equips them with the skills to thrive in a diverse workforce. Engaging faculty in cross-cultural communication and inclusivity training further enhances the international education experience, creating a more inclusive and enriching learning environment.

While personal anecdotes and testimonials are compelling, finding ways to measure and communicate the broader impact of international education is crucial. By showcasing the success of international students and collecting data on student outcomes, universities can provide evidence of the value of international education to stakeholders. By highlighting the transformative power of international education, we can ensure that more students have access to these life-changing experiences and contribute to a more interconnected and understanding world.

To catch the full interview with Meredith, CLICK HERE.