Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Universities should require all their students to learn about foreign cultures as well as their own culture. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.
你是否同意以下观点?除学习本国文化之外,大学也应该要求所有学生学习外国文化。请用具体的理由和事例来说明。
Universities should require students to learn about foreign cultures; though what cultures to study is another important issue.
In the first place, it would be difficult to consider ourselves “educated” if we did not have some understanding of other cultures; this simple fact is enough to require courses in other cultures.
But as the economy, art, music, movies, fashion, etc. become more globalized, there is a practical, economic imperative to learn about other cultures in order to understand the “market” and the international trends that eventually become localized. People who understand other cultures, especially those of rising economic powers like India,China and Brazil will have a clearer understanding of the trends in those areas that will become more widespread as those countries' influence widens not only in terms of being able to design products, services, fashion, art etc. that will be marketable there but also to see what are the aspects of those cultures most likely to be “exportable” into the world market. Having studied these cultures makes it much easier to successfully ride the rising tide of globalization to our own economic advantage.
In countries like the U.S. labeled “immigration nations”, having studied other cultures in college makes it easier to understand the cultural difference of these immigrants and to become better friends with them and also help the new immigrants adjust more quickly and become better citizens.
In a world too often distressed by religious and cultural differences, it is important for societies to better understand each other and to respect each other's cultural mores and ideals so that serious misunderstandings do not arise. This is especially true for those who are in leadership positions. Having studied other cultures in the course of their career preparation in the university makes this understanding more likely.
Lastly, cultural training in college makes it easier for employees in international corporations to work together more harmoniously.
Without a doubt, cultural training should be a part of university education.