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Narrator: In a country built by newcomers, in the most diverse city in that country,
sits Humber College. And, like Canada and Toronto, Humber is enriched by the many students
who come here to study from around the world. They come from China, India, and all over
the South-East Asia. They come from Kenya and Egypt and South Africa. From the Caribbean,
to the European Union. Humber's international students bring us new cultures, new perspectives,
and new ideas. It's a win-win situation. International students benefit from their studies at Humber,
and the college grows and a vigorous centre of learning. In a classroom, students learn
from each other, that means Canadian students can learn from the source about other cultures.
They learn about beliefs, traditions and culture, other ways of living, and other ways of thinking
about life. It enhances their understanding of the world.
Diversity in the classroom, helps students develop a better worldview, a critical trait
for our future leaders. Having international students in the classroom can stir the curious
to want to travel more, learn more, and understand more about the rest of the world. It encourages
students to step outside themselves and see the world through the eyes or someone else.
And, like any good friendship, it works both ways. Of course the students who return home
after studying at Humber take with them their new skills and knowledge. But they also gain
that most important intangible: an understand of Canada, our languages, values and culture
that they can take home and share with their home countries.
And while international students benefit from a greater understanding of Canada, Humber
staff and Faculty also gain from the opportunity grow, learn, serve and teach in a global learning
environment. This opportunity has inspired researchers to explore the many facets of
the global classroom. As such, there is an abundance of evidence that suggests that all
students benefit from the journey towards becoming citizens of the world. Not unlike
any other journey, navigating an unfamiliar landscape can both be exciting and challenging
for students and faculty. Some students face language, cultural and academic barriers in
the classroom including difficulty with adapting to new learning styles and curriculum differences.
Likewise, faculty are also challenged to create inclusive learning environments while taking
into account the diversity in many cultural differences that exist in today's classroom.
The following instructional videos were created in response to numerous made by Humber faculty
in their quest to increase their understanding of diverse learners, and learning in different
cultural contexts. The videos are meant to highlight challenges common to all students,
the cultural reasons why these may exist, and to offer recommendations to faculty in
order to facilitate the classroom learning experience, and the transition into a new
academic environment for both the instructor, and their students. Please note, that the
depictions in the video are generalizations, and are not exclusive to international students.
The sole purpose or intent of these videos is to create awareness and provide the opportunity
for discourse around current and traditional North American practices and current 21st
Century best practices for teaching and learning for all students in a global community. We
hope you enjoy watching some of Humber's faculty and students share their experiences and talents.