Helping International Students Understand Christians - Report Example

To Help International Understand Christians OVERVIEW The concept of ‘Cultural Intelligence in Action’ (CIA) is a procedure of managing the stress in relation to cultural shock, confusion and clashes that often arise from cultural differences. As applied in this proposed project, aimed at generating the understanding of international students towards Christians, CIA can certainly assist in providing adequate education and learning services to the target audiences to develop an effective cross-cultural attitude. In this context, there are three principles that are found associated with CIA, which include ‘cultural strategic thinking’, behavioural and motivational. The elements of CIA will aid the target students in developing their problem solving competencies when interacting with Christians along with enhancing their thinking abilities when dealing with the often-witnessed unfamiliar situations in an enthusiastic as well as objective oriented way. CIA can be identified as an important tool for developing cultural thinking amid students in order to build an adequate level of cultural knowledge. Thus, the tool will also be efficient in assisting international students to have a better understanding of Christians and about their religion and belief. Accordingly, CIA will aid international students to meet the realistic needs of Christianity. PROBLEM STATEMENT As often noticed, international students tend to be quite sensitive in interacting with people from different cultural backgrounds with a degree of scepticism that their behaviour might be considered as an hindrance or disrespect to the others religious beliefs. On the other hand, people also often attempt to enthrust their religious beliefs on others irrespective of the fact that their perceptions may differ substantially; thus, resulting in conflicts between the two groups. From a worldview perspective, religious conflicts can be identified as the basis of recent global unrest at various instances, the involvement of Christians, besides Muslims being quite noteworthy as has been revealed in Smock (2-8). Emphasising a similar understanding, Baetz (38-39) noted that it is often the lack of understanding and broader way of thinking that limits the peaceful interaction between two religions as often witnessed between Muslims and Christians. Accordingly, in this proposed project, concentration will be delivered on resolving similar problems faced by Christians. Subsequently, through this CIA project, the students will be offered with appropriate support for their better engagement when interacting with different cultural backgrounds. Moreover, the international students are to be presented with cultural intelligence programs in order to ascertain that they are able to understand Christians and manage accordingly for better cultural adjustments in the global economy (JCS, “International Student Program at Jackson Christian School Jackson, Michigan USA”). PROJECT DESCRIPTION The proposed CIA project will facilitate in developing effective interactive programs through which, the targeted international students might be able to avail better academic as well as cultural support in understanding Christians. Subsequently, international students, with the assistance of these proposed set of CIA programs, might be able to embrace different cultures along with traditions in an effective manner. The students will likewise be able to develop their values in a broader way towards diversity in the overall social setting. It is noteworthy in this context that the number of international students in the colleges along with universities of the US has increased to a great extent in the recent decade. In this regard, numerous students are recognised to be under stress, isolation and anxiety due to the different attitudes, values along with behaviours (Zhao, Kuh and Carini, “A Comparison of International Student and American Student Engagement in Effective Educational Practices”). Subsequently, the students facilitated with CIA are quite likely to obtain a better comprehensive understanding of different aspects in relation to Christianity so that they can develop their attitudes and social behaviour accordingly for better adjustment with the differing religious beliefs and values of their peer Christian students. The future scope for this CIA project will lie in the field that similar programs can be initiated to improve understanding of the international students towards other religions and thus, contribute in the overall development of a more sustainable and peaceful society. Project Aims and Objectives. In this proposed CIA project, the foremost aim will be to assist international students in having a better understanding of Christians and their beliefs. In this regard, the key objective of this project will be to aid global students in obtaining adequate knowledge about Christians and their religious values, principles and beliefs. Correspondingly, the objectives of the proposed project will be as follows. To develop an effective CIA programs in order to enhance the cultural intelligence of students regarding Christians To develop three specific principles on the basis of which students will be able to adapt cultural differences with Christians successfully To develop the abilities of students to deal and interact efficiently with Christians even in unfamiliar situations Resolution Methods. In this proposed project, it has been recognised that there are various problems associated with the proposed program of assisting international students to understand Christians and their culture. In this context, the international students, with the assistance of the proposed CIA program, shall be able to develop their skills along with knowledge for better adaption of different cultures, especially that to the Christians. Thus, the program will also aid international students in developing sensitivity towards Christianity. In this regard, different resolution methods will be adopted with the intention of ensuring that the international students are supported with adequate interactive programs along with educational services for their better understanding of Christianity. Student Ambassador Program In order to attain the stated objectives, a Student Ambassador Program (SAP) will be adopted in this proposed project. The program will be accordingly aimed at ensuring that international students enthusiastically participate in different social activities in and outside their school. According to the program, the international students will be paired with Christian students with the aim that international students recognise the attitude as well as the culture of Christians in a comprehensive way. Subsequently, the students will be facilitated with the opportunity of acquiring their academic requirements along with cultural aspects appropriately. It is thus expected that through this program, the Christian students will be able to overcome language barriers (JCS, “International Student Program at Jackson Christian School Jackson, Michigan USA”). International Student Club Correspondingly, ‘International Student Club’ (ISC) will also be developed with the intention of pairing international students from different cultural backgrounds including Christian students. Likewise, the international students will be able to possess adequate knowledge about the religious aspects of Christians. Through this mode, the international students will also be facilitated with the opportunity of identifying the behaviour and the beliefs of Christian students. In this respect, it is expected that the international students will gain an opportunity to develop friendship with students from Christian background as they will be able to perform group activities, such as participating in concerts, athletic events and games within the educational setting (JCS, “International Student Program at Jackson Christian School Jackson, Michigan USA”). Exhibitions and Seminars In order to improve the effectiveness of the CIA project proposed here, exhibitions and seminars will also be conducted with the aim of assisting the international students in having a better understanding of Christianity. The international students grouping with Christian students should develop an effective communal relationship amid them, with the assistance of meetings, Bible studies, seminars and publications. Contextually, the international students will be able to comprehend the religious beliefs and ethnic practices of Christianity with a better understanding (Harvard University, “2013-2014 Student Organizations”). Principles of the CIA project: This proposed project will be based on three important principles to assist the international students in comprehending Christians within their educational setting. These principles have been elaborately discussed hereunder. First Principle: Cultural Strategic Thinking The first principle of ‘Cultural strategic thinking’ under CIA will aid international students in enhancing their judgemental skills to cultivate an unbiased belief that would in turn nurture positive attitudes of students towards Christians. Accordingly, through this proposed program, the international students will be able to develop their skills and knowledge as followed in Christianity (Tan 19-21). Second Principle: Motivational Considering the fact that the international students are required to be motivated in their approach as well as action of recognising the values and the principles of Christians, this proposed project will aim at developing the cultural thinking abilities and knowledge base of these target audiences for building confidence within them (Tan 19-21). Third Principle: Behavioural Through this proposed CIA project, the specified resolution method might assist the international students in developing their attitudes, values and cultural concerns in order to ensure that they build their beliefs and behaviours in an open-minded way, avoiding conflicts due to misconceptions regarding the beliefs of Christians. Subsequently, the students will be acting in a certain appropriate manner for better academic along with professional performances (Tan 19-21). In this regard, the proposed study will assist the international students in developing their thinking skills, beliefs and behaviour in peaceful association with those followed by Christians. Challenges and Benefits of the proposed CIA project. There are certain challenges faced in preaching international students about Christianity towing to their differing ideologies and previously conceived notions. Additionally, the international students might develop conflicting attitudes and beliefs in relation to the values that are practiced by Christians as conveyed through this program, idealising that it is a way to transform their religious into Christianity. In this regard, the international students may experience cultural shock and language barriers. Contextually, the participants of this program will have to face challenges in providing educational along with other services to international students in properly understanding Christians owing to the concern that the message has to be transmitted in an unambiguous manner. It will also be necessary to inform the target audiences of this program regarding its primary objectives, clearly mentioning that it is not to oblige them or influence them to follow the principles of Christianity but it is focused to develop their understanding and open-minded attitude to avoid conflicts with Christians. Overcoming these challenges will ensure certain benefits of the proposed project that international students might accomplish through their voluntary participation in this program. Apparently, the cultural values of Christianity are different from other cultures, wherein the proposed project shall prove helpful for the international students to understand the various cultural features of Christianity in an unambiguous manner. This will further help them to develop their capabilities in terms of their adaptability nature and open-minded judgemental skills (Jebungei 271-278). International students learning with Christians will also be able to exchange their knowledge as well as ideas assisting them to reduce misperceptions and avoid stereotypical behaviour existing amid students belonging from different cultural backgrounds. Additionally, the international students will be able to overcome language barriers with the benefits of this CIA project proposal; besides, their attitudes and behaviour might also be enriched substantially (Heyn 1-182; Le 1-103). Resources Required and Timeline. The proposed research project must be adequately funded in order to ascertain that the international students are offered with proper education services and support as per their requirements. Moreover, funds will be required for conducting the programs, exhibitions and seminars appropriately for better understanding of Christianity by the international students. Financial resources will also be needed for providing training services to teachers in colleges and universities. Accordingly, the proposed CIA project is planned to continue for a tentative period of 1 year. The time plan has thus been elaborated below. Ethical Considerations. As the proposed project involves various challenges that might raise religious conflicts within the Christians and the non-Christians, it is necessary to follow certain ethical considerations in order to ensure that the determined goal of developing the understanding of international students towards Christianity in achieved successfully. Correspondingly, the participants will be informed about the underlying objective of this program prior to their confirmed involvement in the program that would assure their free consent. The communication between the Christians with the international students will take place within controlled environment wherein specific rules and guidelines will be set to allow these participants to convey their thoughts in the most comprehensive manner. Following specific rules will also assist in avoiding conflicts between these two groups of participants. Works Cited Baetz, Marilyn. “Religion and psychiatry: from conflict to consensus”. World Psychiatry 12.1 (2013): 38-39. Print. “2013-2014 Student Organizations.” Harvard University. 2014. Web. 6 Feb. 2014. Heyn, Molly Elizabeth. “Experiences of Male Saudi Arabian International Students in the United States.” Graduate College (2013): 1-182. Print. “International Student Program at Jackson Christian School Jackson, Michigan USA.” JCS. 2014. Web. 6 Feb. 2014. Jebungei, Kutto Naomi. “Overcoming the Challenges Facing Secondary Schools Teachers in Using Christian Religious Education to Convey Values to Students in Eldoret Municipality, Kenya.” International Journal of Humanities and Social Science 3.15 (2013): 271-278. Print. Le, Anh. “Making the Great Journey: International Students’ Experiences at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.” A Thesis (2010): 1-103. Print. Smock, David. “Religion in World Affairs”. United States Institute Of Peace 201 (2008): 2-14. Print. Tan, Joo-Seng. “Cultural Intelligence and the Global Economy.” LIA 24.5 (2004): 19-21. Print. Zhao, Chun-Mei, George D. Kuh and Robert M. Carini. A Comparison of International Student and American Student Engagement in Effective Educational Practices. No Date. Web. 6 Feb. 2014. Read More