International students bring the world to WNMU
As a student attending Western New Mexico University, I have come to discover that higher education is just as much about molding responsible young adults and expanding opportunities through education and training as it is about developing forward-thinking minds prepared to enter an ever-globalized society. University campuses are a medley of nationalities, cultures and traditions — a social diversity that not only creates vibrancy but understanding while fostering a wide perspective of thought and opinion.
As a student enrolled in the School of Business, I feel fortunate to have the opportunity to learn from both students and professors who come from various nations, bringing with them their wealth of knowledge and diversity of thought into the classroom, enriching my learning experience. Faculty mentors from other nations expose students to new ways of thinking and disseminating information while my international peers in the classroom bring their culture and share their traditions as I share mine, experiences that weigh far heavier than just dollars and cents.
According to Pew Research, in a survey conducted in 16 nations with “advanced economies,” 59% of adults surveyed described American universities as the best in the world, and whether looking to pursue STEM or applied liberal arts and sciences programs, students from abroad are looking to our colleges and universities for greater educational opportunities, closer mentorship with professors, and exposure to American society and pop culture. Rather than chide universities for enrolling what at first glance may seem like modest international enrollment numbers, we should be looking for ways to continue investing in educational opportunities that appeal to students both close to home and across the ocean.
For New Mexicans, our culture, history and traditions are engrained in us at an early age, and sharing these aspects of what it means to be from the Land of Enchantment are a way of life. A vibrant international community on college campuses has taught me the practice of sharing my culture, from food and music to family traditions, is common in the students who attend American universities. As a student attending a small regional university located in a quiet community on the doorstep of the Gila National Forest, I know the contributions made by international students are undeniable, from the positive economic impact these students have on local and state economies to the rich cultural contributions they bring to our communities.
As I look toward my graduation, learning, working and living alongside international students has provided me a greater global perspective, compassion and insatiable curiosity about the world outside of my little community of Silver City. And it’s made me and my peers realize that our future success isn’t about having the tools needed to compete with one another, but the skills, confidence and understanding that will be required to cooperate with others from around the globe.