As parents, we all want our children to not merely be well-educated but also well-prepared for the real world. After all, today’s modern world is far more connected, diverse, and fast-changing than it was a decade ago. That’s why concepts like ‘international mindedness’ are increasingly gaining significance and turning into essential life skills.
This is where IB schools, like ours, are leading the pack by interweaving international mindedness as a part of the pedagogy. At Apeejay School International, positioned among the top IB schools in Delhi region, we firmly believe that international mindedness is beyond speaking foreign languages, celebrating global festivals, or studying in a different country altogether. Hence, it is not something that’s taught as a special subject but is rather embraced into the teaching and learning environment at our school and is reflected in the way our students learn, think, question, and grow. It’s about making children understand the very fact that the world is way bigger than their immediate surroundings and that each one of us has a role to play in it. At Apeejay School International, we believe this global mindset is necessary for 21st-century kids. So today, by means of this blog post, we are attempting
Understanding and Respecting Cultural Differences
One of the core aspects of fostering international mindedness in children is helping them develop genuine respect for different cultures.
Since we live in an interconnected world, our children should know how to respect, coordinate, communicate, and coexist in harmony with people from diverse cultures and geographical locations. It will help them explore and build a strong foundation for higher learning and professional opportunities in a foreign country.
At Apeejay School International, we emphasise instilling international mindedness from a young age through our Primary Years Programme (PYP) so that all our students are well-prepared to thrive on a global stage. We organise various activities throughout the year to nurture understanding and respect for different cultures among our pupils. Teachers regularly hold classroom discussions that highlight global cultural perspectives and encourage students to learn about festivals from different cultures, and more.
Thinking Beyond Borders
A key trait of international-minded individuals is their ability to learn, understand, and take appropriate action towards solving global issues. It may seem unnecessary to some, but we believe it’s crucial. It helps shape children into responsible global citizens who aren’t just aware of global challenges but also have the willingness to take effective steps to minimise their impact, creating a better planet and societal future.
For example, all of us know about the impact of plastic pollution in oceans, but what percentage of people are actually contributing to curbing the problem? We at our school not just teach our students about pollution, but also encourage them to start finding ways to reduce single-use plastics in school, home, neighbourhood, etc. We advise our students to learn about both global and local issues, and allow them to devise campaigns that enable them to make age-appropriate contributions. Most of our projects under Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) in DP are excellent examples. This is a fine example of instilling international mindedness among children.
Multilingualism and Communication Across Cultures
We believe international mindedness truly comes alive when students become open to different languages and communication styles. Having said that, your kids don’t necessarily have to develop fluency in multiple foreign languages, but even just being able to understand basic and commonly used terms can significantly help.
AtApeejay School International, one of the top IB schools in Delhi, we encourage our students to appreciate different languages and make them understand how multilingualism helps bridge global communities. Our school follows a competitive language policy that prepares students for both national and international stages. Alongside English (the core teaching and communication medium) and Hindi (the locally practised mother tongue), we encourage students to learn foreign languages, such as French and Spanish, to be able to communicate with a culturally diverse diaspora flawlessly.
Though a bit challenging initially, developing multilingualism and communication fluency across cultures makes them strong candidates for top roles. It also opens doors to rewarding opportunities in terms of both higher learning and job prospects that others with limited language knowledge may not have access to.
Open-Mindedness in Classroom Discussions
Instilling international mindedness in students enables them to socialise effectively and ‘find their place’ in culturally diverse environments. When our students participate in internationally minded environments, they learn that there isn’t always one ‘right’ answer. The same situation can be viewed from different perspectives; each somewhat correct in its own lens.
With every experience and session, they learn how to listen to different viewpoints without any prejudices. It helps them reflect, analyse, and form balanced opinions on situations, which is an essential skill in today’s misinformation-driven world. This skill is vital and extremely valuable during debates or group projects on historical, ethical, and scientific topics.
At Apeejay School International, we believe this skill is incredibly essential for today’s children as it trains them to think critically, appreciate diversity of thought, and respectfully challenge assumptions (including their own). Over time, it transforms children into thoughtful and considerate individuals.
Collaboration Across Differences
Considering the current globalisation, we cannot afford to leave our kids unprepared for studying and working in culturally diverse environments. From schools to workplaces, environments have already become diverse, and it will only accelerate in the coming years. Hence, we at Apeejay School International prioritise developing international mindedness among our pupils as it teaches them the art of excelling at teamwork in an interconnected world.
The aim is to prepare students to study and work collaboratively with peers who think, speak, and approach problems differently. Hence, we constantly explore innovative ways to organise meetups with students from different countries so that everyone can mutually benefit from the cultural exchanges.
Conclusion
International mindedness isn’t merely something ‘good to have’ in a school curriculum; it’s a ‘must’ to prepare students for the modern world. At Apeejay School International, ranked among the top IB schools in Delhi, we have never treated it as a lesson that can be taught through textbooks. Instead, it is taught as ‘a way of thinking and being’ that helps students see themselves as part of a much larger world.
We collectively work to equip every student with all the skills, beliefs, knowledge, etc., necessary to navigate global challenges. From respecting cultural differences to communicating in multiple languages, we organise different activities to enable the growth of our students into ideal global citizens. It is high time we see international mindedness as a crucial skill for everyone, especially for those who plan to go abroad for higher studies or explore rewarding career opportunities in a different international location.
