‘Diversity Talks’ Dives Deep into Global Learning, Campus Internationalization

Listen to the latest episode of the Diversity Talks podcast “International Education, Diversity, and Inclusion: Opening the Window to the World” featuring Dr. Steve McDowell, Assistant Provost of International Initiatives at FSU, John H. Phipps Professor of Communication, and Associate Dean for the College of Communication and Information.

McDowell speaks about the goals and benefits of international education and global learning and what we can do to ensure that it is a part of every student’s college experience. He also discusses diversity and inclusion as it relates to international students, what it means to internationalize a university campus, and all of the exciting international initiatives FSU offers.

“The understanding of respect for people, understanding of other cultures, the elements that make up for a strong approach to diversity, equity and inclusion are also the elements that make for a good approach for internationalization,” McDowell said. “… I think that's one area of diversity, equity, inclusion … ‘Who are we serving, in terms of the students?’ Considering the role of international students is also important because they bring, through their personal experience and their relationships with people on campus, windows into the world that you can't get in a textbook, or just in a video, so you get to know people and build relationships. And that's hard even if we're sharing the same space, it's hard to build those relationships.”

Acknowledging the crucial role of the CGE, McDowell said, “One of the [departments] on campus that does a great job with that is the Center for Global Engagement, that has a whole bunch of different programs, like the International Coffee Hour, to facilitate the building of relationships between students from the United States and countries around the world. So, I think domestic inclusion in our programs, thinking about international students, and I think perspectives that we have in our research questions/in our research are another important part of diversity that includes international.”

Dr. Elçin Haskollar, host and co-creator of the podcast, believes this episode is great for anyone interested in learning about why international education and global learning should be a part of every college student’s major.

“I feel so strongly about this. During my PhD studies, I spent a lot of time studying and learning about genocide and human rights. I quickly learned that one of the most effective ways to dismantle prejudice, ethnocentrism, racism and genocide is through education,” Haskollar said. “By informing our students, we can raise awareness, help them understand and empathize with others. That’s what gives me a great sense of purpose and gets me out of bed every single morning.”

Producer and co-creator Dr. Tanu Kohli Bagwe also weighed in on this episode and her personal connection to international education. “We are 3 episodes in to our Diversity Talks podcast, and the latest one is close to my heart,” Kohli Bagwe said. “In it Assistant Provost Dr. Steve McDowell talks about global learning bridging the local and the global. I breathe global learning and have immensely benefited from being an international student and scholar. I have become more tolerant, respectful, and open-minded because of cultural diversity around me.”

Diversity Talks features a collection of conversations about diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) that impacts our campus, our communities and beyond and is funded by the President's Diversity and Inclusion Mini-Grant. Past episodes featured Annie Grier, Senior Coordinator for Diversity & Inclusion in FSU's Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Office and Dr. Petra Doan, Professor of Urban and Regional Planning. Future episodes will feature Dr. Lara Perez-Felkner, Associate Professor of Higher Education and Sociology and Terry Coonan, Executive Director of the Center for the Advancement of Human Rights.

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