The Impact of a Global Perspective in International Education

1. The Impact of a Global Perspective in International Education We live in a globalised era, where no country can afford to be isolationist in its economic policies. It, therefore, makes eminent sense for countries around the world to provide international education to their children and young people. In fact, that is the best possible way to provide cross-cultural education to them at an early age. Global learning can go a long way in preparing students for a successful career once they complete their education. There is, therefore, every reason to encourage children and young people to go for international education. Providing an International Education via an International Curriculum There are several leading international curricula like the Cambridge system of education and the International Baccalaureate system of education. The Cambridge system of education caters to the education needs of K to 12 students in a comprehensive manner. It consists of Cambridge Early Years (age 3 years+), Cambridge Primary Years (age 5 years +), Cambridge Lower Secondary (age 11 years +), Cambridge Upper Secondary (age 14 years+) and Cambridge Advanced (age 16 years+). The International Baccalaureate system comprises International Baccalaureate Primary Years, International Baccalaureate Middle Years and International Diploma Programme curricula; all of which are designed to provide an international education to students. These curricula offer the latest in terms of pedagogy and learning techniques, thereby ensuring that students receive a truly outstanding education that stands them in good stead in their lives ahead. How International Education Helps Students There are many reasons why more and more schools are opting for international education in place of a local one. 1. Global Benchmarks and Standards

2. International schools adhere to certain global benchmarks and standards in terms of pedagogy, teaching staff and infrastructure, making the students capable of competing with the best in the world. 2. Ease of Admission to Leading Global Centres of Higher Learning Receiving one’s education in a leading international school that provides access to global curricula like the ones offered by Cambridge and International Baccalaureate puts students at an advantage when it comes to obtaining admission to some of the best colleges and universities in the world. 3. Broadening Students’ Vision Studying at an international school helps a student broaden his or her vision as one gets to interact with fellow students hailing from diverse backgrounds. One is better able to understand the points of view of people who may be from a very different background from one’s own. This allows the students to be more adaptable to a global work environment than they otherwise would have been, once they complete their education. 4. Language Proficiency Any kind of education at an international school in one’s own country or a school abroad more often than not exposes one to international languages, making one achieve proficiency in more than one language. That can only benefit one in the long run in a fully globalised world. 5. Personal Development and Confidence Studying at an international school or abroad allows one to develop on a personal level because of interacting with different kinds of people and learning to adjust to an all-new and different way of life. This can only make a young person more confident and better able to take care of himself or herself in myriad situations. 6. Becoming a World Citizen

3. The world they say is one family, yet there is so much prejudice that exists between the nations of the world. Exposing one’s children to an international education is the best way to find a cure for that. Receiving that kind of education makes a global citizen out of a young person, which can only augur well not just for him or her, but for the whole world. Conclusion Education in today’s times is not worth much if it does not come with a global perspective. We live in a world that is evolving at a much faster rate than ever before and the best way to keep pace with whatever is happening is only possible if one is globally connected. There is no sense in providing out-of-date education in isolation, when there is so much to be gained through international collaboration. Besides, there are a host of benefits that accrue to someone receiving an international education in terms of their personal development. It leads to a greater awareness about the world that we live in and the diverse people that inhabit it. The world is coming even closer on account of modern means of communication allowing everyone to learn from the best, regardless of where such people or institutions might be. A global perspective in education is something that can bring harmony to a world that is still affected by strife despite all the progress that has been made economically and technologically. Going forward we can expect global education to become one of the major factors in ushering peace and prosperity throughout the world. This is evident from the huge growth of international schools in Malaysia’s cities and towns.