Coldstreams Travel and Global Thinking
Being global in the 21st century
Just 20% of U.S. K-12 students will study a foreign language, typically Spanish, and starting around age 15-16. In Europe, 91% of students will study a 2nd language, starting at age 6 to 8.
I noticed one of the Youtubers I follow had an unexpected international background. I began looking at other Youtubers I follow and near 100% of have extensive international experience. As I have observed, international skills are a defining characteristic of those who achieve success in today’s world, and this is nearly a requirement for professional class workers.
20% or just over 60 million people in the U.S. speak a language other than English at home.
Did you know that UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson was once a U.S. citizen?
Did you know that Sen. Ted Cruz was once a Canadian citizen?
Did you know that Barack Obama, who was born in Hawaii and is a U.S. citizen also held citizenship in Kenya and Indonesia in his youth (as dual citizen with the U.S.)?
Fascinating stuff that blew my mind. These examples and more point to the critical importance of having international experience and “global thinking” capability.
Demand for multi-lingual workers in the U.S. is increasing. Unfortunately, U.S. public education has among the worst language education of any developed nation.