The potential for institutional change and enrichment is perhaps the greatest potential benefit of the vision of international education that is articulated here. Courses of study can be coordinated, leading to a more coherent experience for students on both sides. The regular exchange of faculty will encourage new scholarly perspectives and awareness of other cultural and pedagogical practices. For participants from emerging democracies, the exposure to liberal arts teaching in the U.S. may also awaken an interest in the benefits of seminar-style teaching, small classes, etc., at their home institutions. An opening exists.
Global education is a catchword that is on many people's lips.
But until now there has been no overall vision to motivate, guide, and inspire support for the creation of such a project or the network that will be required to sustain it. We must recast their geographical as well as their educational focus and emphasis. Many countries, especially but not only those that are engaged in democratic transition, are searching for better educational solutions. It behooves Americans to respond constructively to their search. With the support of America's powerful foundation and business communities, realistic opportunities exist for educators to open a variety of paths to multinational educational collaboration as a process of creative, substantive exchange and long-term institutional cooperation.