Global Education: A Student Perspective

On Friday, July 18th, a unique panel gathered at Boston College to speak to participants in Primary Source's Teaching for Global Understanding summer institute. The panel, composed of high school students from four of Primary Source's forty-two partner districts, discussed the impact of globalized curricula on their education and future plans. Primary Source Executive Director Kathy Ennis moderated the conversation.

Participating students included Patrick Jolicouer (Brockton High School), Molly Recka (Weston High School), Dan Antosyzk (Needham High School), and Lauren Sarson (Watertown High School). Molly Recka, whose participation in Burlington's Pathways to China program enabled her to visit China after an in-depth study program, reflected on her experience. "Going to another country allowed me to appreciate other cultures in a way that cannot be learned in a classroom...I was able to see the sphere of influence of globalization."

Dan Antozsyk emphasized the international opportunities that he had discovered in his own community. "You don't really need to travel abroad to encounter different cultures and new ideas...the United States has never had a higher immigrant population so there are definitely people who have a lot to share about things that may be very different than what you're used to."

Responding to questions from the audience of more than fifty educators from across Massachusetts, the student panel offered ideas for engaging young people in the classroom. Several panelists suggested that addressing current events from around the world on a regular basis would catch students' attention and expand their knowledge. Patrick Jolicouer recommended that teachers "focus on the students themselves...because if you want kids to focus on the world they have to at least understand themselves first."

Participating educators plan to incorporate the results of this exchange into their own approach to global education. As one teacher reflected, "It's wonderful and encouraging to hear from a group of aware and enthusiastic students."