Exchanges in the media
As businesses continue to expand globally, many business professionals are seeking to prepare themselves to succeed in the global marketplace. To get such preparation, they are demanding internationally focused courses and degree programs that offer region and country-specific instruction on business practices, social norms, and customer preferences, not to mention the local language. And continuing education programs, the New York Times reports, are working to meet these demands:
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano announced last week the formation of the Homeland Security Academic Advisory Council (HSAAC), a group tasked with “provid[ing] advice and recommendations on issues related to student and recent graduate recruitment; international students; academic research; campus and community resiliency, security and preparedness; and faculty exchanges.”
A recent BBC article highlights the strong impact people-to-people exchange programs have on international diplomacy and shaping the U.S.’ image abroad.
The article features the example of Xi Jingping, probable future Chinese president, who came to Iowa in the 1980s on a trip that installed fond and long-lasting memories in him. These memories “could yet pay dividends to the U.S.”, the BBC notes.
The National Council for International Visitors (NCIV) issued the following press release, introducing Dr. Jennifer Clinton as its new President:
The Chronicle of Higher Education examined the President’s FY 2013 budget request, released yesterday, calling it a “mixed bag for international educators”:
“While requesting an almost 9-per cent increase for the Fulbright Program, the U.S. State Department's flagship academic-exchange opportunity, many other international programs either face cuts or only a slight rise in support.
Xi Jingping, the current Vice President of China and likely successor to President Hu Jintao, will come to Washington this week “for a visit crucial to both China and the U.S.,” the Washington Post reports.
President Obama reiterated the importance of U.S. engagement with the world and the international affairs budget on Monday during a Google+ “Hangout” and broadcast live on Youtube, the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition reported.
The New York Times reports that the Department of State has removed the Council for Educational Travel, USA (CETUSA) as a designated sponsor of the Summer Work Travel program. The article also provides some detail on the Department’s upcoming rulemaking for the SWT program:
Reacting to former Harvard University President Lawrence Summer’s assertion that “English’s emergence as the global language…make it less clear that the substantial investment necessary to speak a foreign tongue is universally worthwhile,” a variety of voices take to the New York Times to debate whether learning another language is necessary or useful.
Travel writer Rick Steves recently penned an op-ed in USA Today, sharing his belief that study abroad is not a “luxury” for American students, but rather a “necessity”:
