There was an article in the LA Times today that was about Chris Whittle and Sunny Varkey teaming up to create a network of sixty multi-million dollar international schools. What are these schools, actually? They are sixty tuition-based schools that will be set up in various cities worldwide with a focus on teaching about the other half of the world. The article mentions examples of children in the U.S. learning about India and China, and vice versa. Obviously, the school will be set up to give students knowledge of cultures, customs, and opportunities of the economically-developed and developing countries of the world. This is one view.

Another view is a holistic view that is almost inevitable. When you study the developments and interactions of countries, industries, or individual businesses you will see that it does not take place inside a vacuum. Other factors- countries, industries, businesses, interests- come into play. For the student, the education is expanded and made more complex- as it should be. How better to prepare students for real life than to let them study real life which is complex?

When I first read that the annual fees for these primary and secondary education schools were anticipated to be $15,000 to $40,000, the sociology side of me thought, “Great, make something that only the rich can afford.” Then, the realist thought, “Why not? If they can afford it and want to pay that much for their children’s education, why not?”

Yes, there’s a divide if you look only at those numbers but then I remembered all the books and articles I’ve read and all the classes I’ve taken. Education is changing. Public schools are recognizing that the world is changing and are doing what is necessary to prepare their students for that change. Not all schools are doing this, but it has been happening and will continue to happen. Globalization is a word that is easily recognized today. If anything, bringing new schools into the market will create competition that brings change. A readily applicable solution would be the inclusion of the subject of international affairs in the core curriculum.

How would the classes be taught? Semi-structured, seminar, and with content listed as “subject to change due to real world events”. Sounds familiar, doesn’t it? In the School of International Studies, where I obtained my degree, this class was called Contemporary Issues in International Affairs.

Not all elements would easily translate, but I’d like to create a curriculum one day.

Today was the 2007 Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon. Last year we had one team competing. This year we had three. With deadweek the week prior and Finals this week, it has been had on training. But we managed to make it through. I was definitely in better shape last year. One day, I’d like to run a full marathon. One step at a time, as they say.

This year was special as it was our last relay with the School for three of us. This coming Friday is our graduation and we’ll head in different directions from there. They say that the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon is a celebration of life. It is. There’s a different mentality present amongst the runners, volunteers, and sponsors. It’s an amazing experience to be a part of and it truly is a reminder of all the great things in life: friends, family, love, and the human spirit.