FOREIGN AFFAIRS
Although language, culture barriers with international faculty at GVSU can be a challenge, overcoming that challenge stands to reward students with greater benefit
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Here at Grand Valley State University, we aim to celebrate diversity. Through the administrative Office of Multicultural Affairs, to an array of on-campus clubs, events and courses designed at promoting intercultural understanding.
On the front page of today’s Lanthorn, reporter Sarah Hillenbrand explores the role of international faculty from their perspective, and the kind of cultural differences they must overcome when becoming an educator in the U.S.
If you have ever been a student of an international faculty member, especially one with an accent still thick with their native tongue, you have most likely had a classmate complain about cultural or language barriers that they perceive as making learning in the classroom more difficult.
Though there is some underlying validity in that complaint (it’s important to successful content comprehension to understand the content in the first place) it should not rest at the core of their experience. International faculty have so much to offer students who can look past troubles with listening to academic positives as a whole. Many of these faculty members come from countries where education is not nearly as accessible or valued in the same way U.S. cultures, and have been through much more than student loans and cramped dorm rooms to get where they are today. The kind of adversity they have faced in the name of knowledge for knowledge’s sake stretches beyond tough exams or tired mornings, and as students, we should be able to use this kind of world experience to create a much richer understanding of the world we live in and to cultivate a much deeper appreciation of the educational opportunities we have been afforded.
In the article “On foreign soil,” associate professor Anne Caillaud, who teaches in the modern language and literatures department on campus, said the biggest difference she notices between education in the U.S. and her native country France, was the relationship between students and faculty.
“The professors here are much closer to the students,” she said. “In France, there’s pretty much no relationship at all. You go to class, but you never see or talk to your professor outside of class.”
That open, informal relationship students have come to rely on with faculty affairs is not afforded in all walks of education. So take advantage of the opportunity – especially when it comes to international faculty – to use that openness not as a linguistic or cultural barrier, but rather, as a way to connect our domestic understanding of this world into a broader, more global scope.
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Pictures of the Year 2012-2013
Courtesy Photo/Joe Kargula and Erik Peterson run the Marathon leg of the Ironman Triathlon
GVL / Robert Mathews Quarterback Heath Parling (12) leading the offense past Notre Dame College.
GVL / Eric Coulter Senior Jake Isaacson placed eigth in the Spartan Invitational. Isaacson's time of 25:04 was the highest among Division II athletes.
GVL/Jessica Hollenbeck Student Senate President Jack Iott speaks to the assembly during Thursday's meeting.
Courtesy / gvsu.edu President Haas and Montcalm Community College President Robert C. Ferrentino sign the transfer agreement
Courtesy Photo/ GVSU Athletic Department Sophomore Chris Cunningham lines up a putt at a past match.
Courtesy Photo / GVSULakers.com Andrew Darrell prepares to return the serve earlier this season.
GVL / Jessica Hollenbeck President Haas cooks pancakes during Family Weekend's "Pancakes with Presidents".
GVL / Jessica Hollenbeck President Haas cooks pancakes during Family Weekend's "Pancakes with Presidents".
GVL / Archive Forward Briauna Taylor (31) chases down a lose ball in a game last season
Courtesy Photo / Dean Breest Sophomore Allyson Winchester was named the GLIAC Women's Cross Country Athlete of the Year after finishing first with a time of 20:48.8.
GVL / Archive GVSU's Breland Hogan rises and fires over three defenders last season.
GVL/Bo Anderson Briauna Taylor leads the fast break during a game earlier this season.
GVL / Robert Mathews Associate Vice President for Facilities Planning, James Moyer, leading a walk through of the Mary Ideam Pew Library
Courtesy Photo / GVSU DII Men's Hockey Jeremy Christopher chases down a puck during a matchup last season.
GVL / Bo Anderson Students and faculty danced under the spectacular light show in the Devos Place Ballroom
GVL / Robert Mathews Martin L�wenberg, holocaust survivor, speaking at the Genocide Awareness Night presentation in the Grand River Room.
Courtesy / Dean Breest Senior Sam Lockhart finishes her indoor career with two individual national championships in weight throw and shot put at the 2013 National Championships.
Archive / Robert Mathews Giancarlo Brugnoni (40) rounding the bases during a previous game.
GVL/Bo Anderson Seniors Christ Koppenaal, Bill Madsen, and Mitch Weber measure the exterior of the Wesley House as part of an energy audit.
GVL / Robert Mathews Senior Anthony Campanella pitching against Tiffin University during the Lakers double header.
GVL / Eric Coulter Brother Jed Smock, a member of Campus Ministry USA, speaks with fervor to a student. Many students, all with differing views, came to watch the Campus Ministry members speak.
GVL / Sean Mouton A passing walker stops to admire some recently constructed pieces of Art Prize 2012.
GVL Archive Senior Nick Gunthorpe follows through and watches his shot at the Ardenson last year. This weekend the team will be playing in South Haven.
GVL / Bo Anderson GVSU's Katie Martin points to her teammate after safely reaching second base.
GVL / Robert Mathews Mary Idema Pew Library Learning and Information Commons under construction.
GVL / Archive The Grand Valley Rowing Team during Spring Training in Florida last spring.
GVL / Robert Mathews Judge Glenda Hatchett, keynote guest for Monday's King celebration, speaks in the Grand River Room in Kirkhof.
GVL / Robert Mathews Judge Glenda Hatchett, keynote guest for Monday's King celebration, speaks in the Grand River Room in Kirkhof.
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