While perusing the Chronicle this evening, I am excited to see all of the articles about global and international education. There are two articles that caught my eye. The first was Building on Presidential Bonds, U.S. and Indonesia Seek Ways to Increase Academic Partnerships. The article discusses that after dramatic decreases in the last 15 years of students studying in the U.S. from Indonesia (and vice versa), there is a renewed commitment on both ends to enhance the exchange program. Last year Obama’s administration devoted “$165 million over five years to support student and faculty exchanges and university connections.” The reasons noted for U.S. students not traveling to Indonesia were lack of awareness of programs, the Asian financial crisis, the 2004 tsunami and domestic terrorism; these have all created a perception that Indonesia is not a safe travel destination. Indonesian students note anti-Muslim sentiments for their lack of desire to study in the U.S.
The second article, Fulbright Student From Afghanistan Resolves to Apply Skills Back Home, tells of a 27-year-old young man, Ahmad Shoaib, from Afghanistan who recently graduated with his master’s degree in engineering from Duke University. He has since returned home to help his country. Even though he would love to stay in America, he doesn’t feel that would be fair to his homeland or the intention of the Fulbright Scholarship that made it possible for him to come to the States. Shoaib notes that there is risk involved in being the recipient of a U.S. scholarship which may make him a target of the Taliban or other kidnappers. The article discusses how America is trying to rebuild academic ties with Afghanistan after almost a twenty-five year lapse.
Both of these articles discuss relationships between their respective counties and the U.S.that I believe are important to the education system in our country. Better relationships with Muslim countries can only help the higher education atmosphere in America, especially after so many Americans have negative perceptions of the Muslim culture after September 11th. It is exciting that effort is being made on both ends that will encourage exchange programs after such a decrease in participation from both countries.
American students traveling to Indonesia and Afghanistan will have the opportunity to broaden their understanding of a culture that is by and large unknown in the United States. On the flip side, the students who come to the U.S. will not only learn about American culture but bring an understanding of their culture to the people they come in contact with while in the U.S.
It is unfortunate that on both ends of the exchange students have a perception that the opposite country will not be a safe place to travel. Hopefully what has started as a rejuvenation for study to both of these countries will continue to be a positive opportunity for all students involved in the future. With perceptions of Indonesia being unsafe, the war in Afghanistan, and anti-Muslim sentiment, I cannot imagine that forging these relationships will be an easy path but I hope that the governments involved will continue to make strides in the right direction.
Do others believe this is possible? How long will it take for our governments and institutions to have positive relationships? With current history, is this a realistic goal?
I think your post brings up an interesting view. I have never thought about an option for myself or others to study higher education in some capacity in Afghanistan or other Muslim countries. I think we have such a distorted perception about what the Middle East entails, that we often don't think of them as countries with students, education, and development. I know that I am naive in my thinking, but I appreciate this post for that reason. Studying in Muslim countries would be very beneficial to American students and vise versa as you mentioned. I don't know if we'll ever get to the point of being completely comfortable with studying in each others countries because of our history, but I think it's valuable to look at.
ReplyDeleteThese are interesting questions, Dana, especially given the story Rahman shared in our last weekend class. I think expanding the olive branch to all countries who are working towards providing access to quality higher education is going to continue to be an issue for us all. Case in point, last year when National Association of Student Personnel Administrators and American College Personnel Association attempted to join forces, we discussed in class the global impact of having international student affairs organizations, with branches in Turkey, Singapore and Jamaica. From my own personal experience, however, I will say that when was finishing my Master’s degree and was offered an assistant instructor position in Dubai, I turned it down. As much as I knew I would learn from the experience, I could not ignore that I was a single woman considering working and living in one of the least feminist areas of the world. My professor, who was setting up the job, was from Libya and he completely understood my fears. Last Spring, however, when a former student asked for a reference to a graduate assistantship at the American University of Kuwait last year, I happily provided her with not only a letter but a phone interview about her as well. I did, however, remind her that as a lesbian, some areas of the world are still not open and friendly when it comes to equity related to gender or sexual orientation. Not that the institution she was applying to was going to be hostile territory but that during her travels, she would most likely come into contact with those attitudes that we as student affairs professionals try to change. We need to be open and flexible to learn from others yet we need to be aware they might not always want to share in the learning as much as we do.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately we are fed via the media what they want us to know and believe about other countries. Since a small percentage 10% or so of Americans even own a passport, many do not have the opportunity or interest to explore these countries and learn beyond media hype. Are there parts of any country that are unsafe? Absolutely! And many other places in each country that are safe and many visitors come each year to visit. Natural disasters happen every year and could be in any location students go abroad. I have been disappointed to hear about the experiences from students who are Muslim. I want to believe that the majority of Americans are welcoming. At the same, who would ever want to come to a country that is not going to welcome them and they have to be fearful for being attacked or dealing with hate towards them?
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