Kansas Board of Regents chairman Nelson Galle is trying to think outside the box — in this case, the borders of the state of Kansas. But his proposal to require all traditional four-year students at the state’s six public universities to spend some time abroad before they graduate seems like a stretch. “This is something that the university and the students need to work out together,” Galle told the Lawrence Journal-World, as he acknowledged that it would be expensive.
He added: “I think it’s absolutely necessary to have an international experience in high school or college or somewhere along the way so that when you see things and read things, they make sense.” But would this make sense for all students and disciplines?
Posted by Rhonda Holman
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19 Comments
Of course it makes sense.The semester I spent in South Africa…especially since it came at the time of the Soweto riots and the announcement of Steven Biko’s death…has made all the difference in my life.All Americans have the wherewithal to travel outside this continent. They should. We’d all be better for it.
Yes, this will weed out those who can not afford it and a college education will be back only for the wealthy. Good move, exlax.
If they are going to do that then they should develop ‘trading’ arrangements so that a student can visit another campus in a cost-effective manner.
Ben, yes, that would help but it would have left me out. I not only had to work during the summer but also part time during the school year. I had a great employer who let me work the hours I could. He was a great man.
I agree, RA.Hell, I’d be happy if my kid could just go to college, let alone travel the fricken world.
Good point RA. I think it is an iseal but don’t know that it would be practical – as you point out.
RA, it ain’t that hard.You can fly courier anywhere in Europe for $250 RT out of NY or Miami, (or $350 out of OHare).There are student hostel programs, so if you’re willing to dig deep and do a little research (something students today know so little about), it’s really quite affordable.
It is a great idea. I don’t recommend doing it the way I did. I spent my junior year in Europe, plus two others, being paid by Uncle Sam. Unlike a lot of guys, I traveled to as many countries as I could afford instead of hoarding leave time and never leaving the kassern.
Interesting concept…for students to see some of the conditions in other countries, maybe they wouldn’t be quite so quick to criticize the US?
Abject poverty, the likes of which we do not see in this country, is common elsewhere. Shanty towns in Argentina with shelters made of cardboard; begging kids in New Dehli; infants with flies stuck to them in Somalia; starving cripples begging in Tijuana.
Life in prison or execution for one drug offense. Locked up in prisons with no specific charges, no “rights” to an attorney, and no ‘rights’ against self incrimination.
Yep…would be an interesting idea. Now…how to pay for it? Ooops…
I got to see a major part of the world on Uncle Sam’s dime. Most of my travel was in the Orient. You have a preconcieved notion about foriegn countries. Going to the Orient was like going to another planet. Americans as a whole aren’t well-traveled, and that’s a big part of our problem. We assume everybody thinks like us (and they don’t). That’s how we get into a situation where we try to cram Democracy down people’s throats who think it’s decadent, immoral, and corrupt. Or it goes against their core beliefs.
One of the brighter guys I met, and I wished I had thought of it, was a SP4 who spent his (then) one year in Korea, traveling to as many countries as he could, then volunteered to go to Europe instead of back to the states, and we never saw much of him because he traveled as much as he could.
I have a friend who went to Europe via KU and studied in France back in the early 70’s. While there, he decided to retrace his dad’s travels while his dad was stationed in Europe, and he had a great time. I think he would’ve stayed, if he’d really had the chance.
mrcontroversy, have you visited any of those hostels lately? I’ve heard they aren’t as great as they were 20 years ago or so.
I agree that it would be beneficial for young people to see other countries, but I also believe it would be beneficial for them to see their own country. For instance, as a Kansan, you can’t get a true perception of the poor by driving through Wichita. This is nothing compared to some other areas of our own country. At least let them learn that before they go abroad, then they would have a much truer idea of the difference.
I’ve visited areas of Mexico where the women swept their homes several times a day. And those homes had dirt floors and one room. So it’s true that one doesn’t have to travel far to see how poorly others live.
One of the good things I received from nearly 4 years in the Army wass to go to Korea, Germany and Viet Nam. What I saw and learned changed my life and definately broadened my horizons. We would be a better nation if more citizens visited foreign countries , and learned another language.
I agree with gster. I think that spending some time in other countries is really good. I think that living in other states is really good. Observe, see what is good, what is bad, and bring back good ideas to help Kansas be a better place.
Dear American University
Why would American student travel to get exposed to global diversity? All Kansas university full of free foriegn students who work for university to get free education in America. All graduate student who teach come from India, China, Iraq, Iran, or somewhere other then America
Professor Won Han Chan
Being in a foreign country gives you a unique perspective that you cannot get by any other means. You get the opportunity to interact with other cultures and that is more valuable than any classroom education.
As a matter of fact, I stayed at one during my last trip to the Philippines.It was a little intimidating at first…walking into a room full of strangers with the idea of sleeping. But one of my bunkmates told me that a German man had gone for a couple of days, and I could use his bunk.Under the pillow, I found a bunch of Deutschemarks…it actually made me relax. If the guy could trust the other people in the room with his money, they must be okay.I slept like a baby that night…even left my money under the pillow when I went to take a shower.Not bad for three bucks.
What were you doing in the Philippines?
Getting married…or at least, I thought I was :)