By Moinafatima Soilihi Himidi
The twentieth century has come along with too many new ideas and exchanges that ease the life of every human being on earth, students precisely. Nowadays, students do not have to get stuck in the same place until they get done with their degrees because of this system of exchanges that allows a student from a particular country to go to another country for the sake of acquiring knowledge.
It has been stated that œInternational exchanges have increased to the point where more than 1.6 million students around the world are now studying abroad. Developed countries such as the U.S., the U.K., Germany and France accept a great number of international students. It is therefore a great possibility for students to travel the world and acquire knowledge.
The exchange programme system allows students to gain a wide experience of schooling in another country and let them reflect on their own practice Student interchange, through the hosting and sending of students, plays a significant role in promoting mutual understanding and building strong human networks between numerous countries.
As an example, Malaysia and Turkey had a good negotiation towards the exchange programme system, that is why we can actually see here and there, in IIUM precisely, quiet a number of Turkish students from Turkey are here studying in Malaysia.
Without doubt, such networks between countries will become increasingly important in a globalised economy and society. In particular, international students who return to their home country bring the best of what they have learnt. While being far away from home always they would make the best of the opportunities to grab knowledge from every corner. Â Such students too will be able to serve as a bridge between their own country and the country that their exchange programme takes place.
Studying abroad provides a lot of students with opportunities for study and research which can satisfy their diverse needs. This means dedicating one’s time and energy to studying in an international competitive environment will lead to nurturing leaders of tomorrow who will be able to serve in an international community.
Furthermore, student exchange programme gives students an opportunity to meet international students from other countries and to become aware of new surrounding and to appreciate different cultures, values, customs and languages.
The fact of exchanging students from country to country enables them to gather knowledge from around the world and to create an intellectual resource which can be shared globally.
All in all, as has been stressed, a lot of advantages lie on those students who get the chance to participate in an exchange programme even once in a life time. Why not go for it and build up a great ones self for the future? ***