Being International vs. Internationally Minded

Today I was challenged with how "international" I am.  I'm attending an IB Teacher Training, which is an educational philosophy and system of schools in the international community.  The purpose of which is to create learners who are "Internationally Minded".  As we went over the profile of the IB student, I was challenged by one of the student traits - Open-minded.  IB states what this type of learner strives to be:

They understand and appreciate their own cultures and personal histories, and are open to the perspectives, values and traditions of other individuals and communities.  They are accustomed to seeking and evaluating a range of points of view, and are willing to grow from the experience.

After discussing this in the seminar, the thought that came immediately to my mind was my reaction to Hungarian prejudice.  I've written about this a couple times in previous posts - my frustration with the close-mindedness I see around me.  But today I realized that my opinions of that "close-mindedness" are a result of my own close-mindedness.  Being open-minded means trying to understand different points of view.  Looking at Hungarian culture, what I've learned thus far anyway, I can see why some of these things I see as frustrating are part of a culture I really appreciate in so many ways.  Whether they're right or wrong is not mine to judge if I want to be an open-minded person.  "Seeking and evaluating a range of points of view" and being "willing to grow from the experience" is what I should be striving to do to be Internationally Minded.

I like the way this made me think.  I've been "International" for 7 years.  But maybe one day down the road I'll truly be Internationally Minded.

America and Guns

This is what some people posted on Facebook after the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary in Connecticut:

Today Israel had zero school shootings.  Thank a teacher.

So the people who are posting this are saying:
Americans want their schools guarded with semi-automatic weapons.
They want teachers to carry guns in the classroom.

Countries with guns in the classroom include places like Somalia, Israel and Afghanistan.  Notice, they are WAR TORN COUNTRIES.  Is that really what Americans want?  To turn their country into a war torn nation?  Read the news and see what life is really like in those countries:

Somalia
Israel
Afghanistan

Would you want to live in these countries?  Even visit these countries?  To those who support these ideas, please think about the reality of what you're saying.

Prayers go out to the families of Newton, Connecticut.  There are really no words.

Cool Kids

A third grade conversation in reading group today:

"Falsely attractive is like the food on Vietnam airlines. They try to make it look good, but it's not."

"Ya, in Turkey it's like that too because they try to sell designer bags, but the rhinestones just fall off."

How many countries can we mention when talking about one vocabulary word? My kids are so cool! And the best part is... traveling the world is so normal for them, part of their every day lives. I love it!