International and Multicultural Competence  – Professional Teacher training

Internationalism and Multiculturalism 

Internationalism

the principle of cooperation among nations, for the promotion of their common good. (Link)

Internationalism is a movement which advocates a greater economic and political cooperation among nations for the theoretical benefit of all.

Nations should cooperate because their long-term mutual interests are of greater value than their individual short term needs. 

Internationalism teaches that the people of all nations have more in common than they do differences, and thus that nations should treat each other as equals. 

Internationalism is, therefore, more of a collboration of some sort among Countries in today’s sense. Whereas, multicultrulism is about cultures. Now the cultures can be seen inside one nation or between two nations. 

A person goes to another country to study is a international student. Once he/she starts studies and meet local and other national students then they will be studying in a multicultural environment. 

Multicuralism means:

the way in which a society deals with cultural diversity, both at the national and at the community level. 

The coexistence of different cultures helps the society to grow through increased diversity. Except when media is not playing its role of spreading terror through brainwashing practices and lies. 

In normal circumstances multicultrualism and internatioanlism both help grow strong ties among nations and cultures. Keeping the positive spirit in my mind I have always considered to help grow relations.

During my studies in Sweden, Norway, and Finland I am always embassedor of peace and I have always made an effort to support and help my fellow students and friends. 

These ‘isms are not a by product of putting people together and expect good results. Just like what media is doing to destroy this beautiful harmony, hosting countries can do the opposite. I am into my final few years of studies and I have never received any invitation from local governments to come and meet the locals or I have never been asked to do anything for local people. There can be easily few things that can help us integrate into this culture. Like I said before it is not as simple as you let someone come to your country and stay for few years and expect to be integrated into the culture. For example, exchange students of the university of Lapland have always been placed in accommodations far away from other international or local students. Erasmus is all about integration and meeting different cultures but these poor students are kept separate. I have heard many stories that students never get a chance to meet Finns. meeting in clubs while drunk is not integration of cultures. In my opinion integration of cultures require effort by locals, governments and forigners. 

I have learned a lot during my interactions with students. When i leave from this country I will take beautiful memories. I was introduced to many opportunites because of local students and without them I would not be where I am. The missing part is the local governments have never taken any initiatives to integrate me into the society. 

Class Session

 Tue 19.11.2019 International and Multicultural Competence

1. Bastu: Design and deliver an interactive learning situation where you demonstrate your understanding of the most important multicultural competences.

2. Tree: What are some of the theories covering the areas multicultural communication, learning and interaction? What are their pros and cons in view of applying them to teaching?

3. Owl: What are the main features of the internationalisation strategies and practices in vocational education and vocational higher education and how would you take them into account in planning and implementing your teaching?

All the teams were given a task to discuss and teach about International and Multicultural competence. Different strategies were used by the teams to deliver their topics. This time there was a interactive session, discussions and plain old presentation session. The important part is that each time we meet we learn something at the end. 

We did some communication practice, learned about theories, discussed examples from personal teaching experience and heard about features of the internationalisation strategies and practices in Vocational education. 

I would say that it is good that students travel to learn. But we should not forget the students who were not able to get the chance to travel to a different country and culture and experience it. This point came during the team Bastu’s presentation where we had to give pro and opposing arguments. Another point that I want to remind to myself and others is that the technology and gadgets we use they are just instruments through which we find sources to learn. The use of these technologies is not learning. Learning happens afterwards when we discuss and share our experiences. Learning happens through experiences and by reflecting and giving/receiving feedback. 

Our teachers asked a question that teachers should know all the cultures, yes or no? 

Teachers cannot know all the cultures obviously. In my opinion it’s the effort that counts. If a teacher is there to just finish the contact hours of compulsory teaching and get it over with then nothing good will come out. The teacher will never be able to understand the students he/she is teaching. 

Reflection

I am more aware of the fact that I have to consider cultrual issues in my mind while teaching or inteacting with students. In my teaching I am more calm and focused. I will continue to be better preparing and delivering my talks.