Argument: Internationalized learning environments are highly enriching for young students

Supporting quotes from the Economist Online Debate Series

• AUBg prof, commenter. The Economist Online Debate Series. December 16, 2007 13:37 – “If my (American) university did not have a high percentage of foreign students, I would probably still be bewildered at what is going on in Russia, Mongolia, Albania etc and undoubtedly have an uninformed opinion on the future of an independent Kosovo. It is from these students I learn the most, and have had to reconsider my standard ‘American’ positions. It’s a wonderful and diverse world. These students are my best and brightest, future decision-makers from parts of the world that don’t always make the biggest headlines.”

• Schwinkle, commenter. Economist Online Debate Series. December 16, 2007 08:37 – “Overall, I find that I must continue to vote Pro on this proposition — although now somewhat more reluctantly than when this debate was first out of the gate. This is primarily due to my own personal experiences. I am from a remote “provincial” part of Canada and for my undergraduate work I did not have access to elite post-secondary institutions. I attended my local university (despite certainly being snubbed as a Tier 2 or 3 school on a global basis) and dammit, I received a VERY GOOD education. Part of this education was actually related to meeting, interacting with, and exchanging culture with foreign students (most of whom were from Asia Pacific). This was one of the most enriching aspects of my university experience — and continues to be — I met my Japanese wife through this network of foreign students at my local university. Thus, the benefits of continuing to support the importation of a certain percentage of foreign students to our institutions of higher learning (regardless of where they rank on global league tables) is something that I personally see tremendous value in. My life has been greatly enriched (and I don’t mean in monetary terms) by this system.”

• Citius. Economist Online Debate Series. Education 2. December 13, 2007 14:54 – “As a high school teacher in a relatively diverse environment, by local standards. I don’t look at the competition diversity provides. I instead look to the education it provides. One of the ideals of public schooling is the education of experience. If you limit this you are depriving a student of a way to see the world in their own classroom.”

• applelyn, commenter. Economist Online Debate Series. December 12, 2007 19:44 – “As long as the students are qualified, especially the talented ones, they should be given a chance to compete with the locals. Diversity will bring vibrancy to the university. Local students will also be given a chance to understand people from different cultures and this knowledge will benefit local students in all aspects in today’s globalised economy.”

Counter-arguments

• Argument: Ethno-national diversity is an overrated objective in higher learning
• Argument: Some schools need to prioritize diversity in areas other than foreign students
• Argument: Schools often need to meet domestic over foreign educational needs – Those that “lose their spots” to foreign students are not gaining from the claimed “enrichment”.
• Argument: Many university systems are over-crowded and can’t take foreign students – An over-crowded university that receives foreign students may not become a more enriching environment.