Participants designed a magnetic place and its signature space. International education includes both acquiring knowledge of another culture and actually studying in another country. Either experience gives students a global perspective and provides an opportunity to compare social and educational values. In contrast, Western Europe puts a premium on high culture and tradition, with separate schools for elite and other students. The former Soviet Union favors collective goals and egalitarianism, and honors vocational education.
Japan fosters loyalty to school and society, and encourages both cooperation and competitiveness.
In America, control is local. Japan, France and the former U.S.S.R have highly centralized systems. Curricula also show contrasts. While America values innovation and variety, Western Europe tends to rely on national examinations and offers severely limited choices. Evaluations in America are conducted by numerous teachers over time.