Internationalization and Diversity on Every Campus

The two words that caught my attention are diversity and internalization. Colleges are becoming more and more multicultural in nature. Students from minorities groups are getting access to colleges while international students are more prevalent everywhere. This is a wonderful time to be a college student or university personnel. My wife and I along with our son had the opportunity of participating on a European trip about a year ago. We were amazed at the opportunities offered to students to study abroad. As a result of these collaborations, more and more students are studying abroad.

Students from visiting and receiving countries benefit immensely from internationalization. New languages are being learned and mastered. Students through these exchanges get a broad level of education. They learn to be sensitive to other cultures. They lean to also appreciate other cultures. They learn that there are other ways or event better ways at times to do things. Thus, leaders are being trained to make a difference not only locally but globally. Through this process of studying abroad, students and educators learn that they can also live abroad. A true exchange and acceptance have taken place.

The only part of the reading that was disturbing to me is the inclusion of lifestyles issues that became part of diversity. When speaking of diversity, most people think in terms of cultures. However, the chapter included some lifestyle issues that I believe are one’s preference. My goal is to work on a Christian campus. I know that because of sin, some Christian students are dealing with such lifestyle issues. Therefore, we should be loving towards every student but should not condone such behavior. We should treat every student with a Christian spirit but should call sin by its name. We should help students dealing with such issues see that it is a sinful issue.

I appreciate the fact that people are talking more and more about racial issues in campuses. The book dealt with such issues openly. I also believe that people should learn to treat everyone equally and should give more respect and opportunities to women. People should be judged not on the basis of their color or place of origins, not on their gender but based on their abilities. While I believe we should value everyone, I strongly believe God does not give us a choice when it comes to our sexuality because we are either created male or female. Therefore, on Christian campuses, we should train our young people to be who Christ wants them to be.