How International Students Benefit Us Culturally

Opening the doors of our schools and homes to international students here in the United States also opens many doors of opportunity for Americans. Communities, fellow students, and families alike can all benefit from foreign guests on many different levels.

Personal, long term interaction with foreigners is undoubtedly the most effective way to establish cultural understanding on both sides. As foreigners begin to assimilate into a community, that community also begins to learn from those integrating. High level communication can foster a degree of genuine cultural competency that cannot be reached simply through a textbook or through the internet. Whether it is learning about a new fruit that is popular overseas or coming to understand a new sport that you have never been exposed to, there are many opportunities for communities to grasp new information. Regardless of the setting or the topic, interfacing with international students proves to be an educational experience.

International student presence in schools helps cultivate a more global understanding of culture and global issues. It helps students achieve new ways of thinking and works to open their eyes to the outside world. Particularly in schools, it can be easily recognized why this is such a huge opportunity for us as the hosts. As educational environments, schools inherently strive to transform their students into free-thinking,

competent, and well-rounded individuals, among other skills. Having international students in the classroom, contributing their outside ideas and views, only adds to what and how schools are teaching our students. They offer another dimension of learning to the school setting for students and faculty alike.  

Hosting an international student also presents a significant learning opportunity for families. It is a unique chance for them to learn about foreign cultures and the perspectives and other surprising differences and similarities that come along with it. Either discussing these differences over the dinner table or just engaging in an American pastime are both great opportunities to learn from and about your guest, as well as for them to learn about American cu