Building Cultural Competency: The Imperative of a Global Education

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Student international group posing on the Mara
Students exploring the Mara in Kenya. 

While some may be surprised to find a community college with robust international education opportunities, Madison College’s Center for International Education (CIE) and school leadership understand why it’s so critically important.  

“We are living in a globally interconnected world. It's incredibly important to learn how to engage with others from different backgrounds and cultures to develop global competencies as well as a sense of cultural humility,” said Stephanie Belmas, director of CIE.  

Belmas indicates cultural humility involves, “learning that there are other ways of doing and being and that those other ways are valid, legitimate, and done with positive intent. These are important life skills gained through international education.”  

Graduates with a global mindset will help ensure the United States retains its competitive advantage with the rest of the world, according to a 2018 whitepaper from NAFSA: Association of International Educators. 

A Variety of Options  

Earlier this year, Madison College had its first study abroad experience in Africa with eight students spending two weeks in Kenya. Most of these students were first-generation students or from backgrounds typically underrepresented in study abroad. A second Kenya experience is planned for 2025.  

This fall, a group of culinary and baking arts students participated in a study abroad program learning about Ireland’s food culture and touring different culinary sites in that country.  

Closer to home, Madison College launched its first Hmong American studies class last spring as well as an experiential immersion program to the Twin Cities. These opportunities are ideal ways for Hmong American students to connect with their heritage and boosts non-Hmong students’ knowledge of the diversity of cultures within the U.S. as well as their ability to interact in a global community. 

These examples represent only a fraction of the opportunities available to Madison  College students seeking to expand their cultural competency.

Students bartering at the Limuru Market
Students bartering at the Limuru Market in Kenya.

Leading the Way

Madison College offers 30 study abroad programs annually, including short-term faculty led programs, full-semester opportunities, and virtual exchanges. Additionally, nearly 200 international students study at Madison College campuses through student visa supported programs.

Belmas is excited about how Madison College has embraced international education and recognizes its value. She and her colleagues are often called upon by other community colleges to talk about the school’s leadership in the arena.

Madison College was the first community college in the nation to receive a certification from The Forum on Education Abroad for meeting Standards of Good Practice for Education Aboard. The Forum is a non-profit organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission as the standards development organization for education abroad. 

The college also leads the Wisconsin Technical College System in the number of international students supported. These students contributed $2.2 million to the economy in the 2022-2023 academic year and actively incorporated their global perspectives into classroom discussions and campus activities to the benefit of the campus community.

Student group posing in front of Saint Paul's University
Student group posing in front of Saint Paul's University in Kenya.

Addressing Challenges

When it comes to committing to a study abroad program, community college students may face more challenges than full-time students at four-year institutions. Many non-traditional students have jobs and child care that make a semester abroad unthinkable.

“One of the biggest challenges is that these students don't see themselves studying abroad or that's not part of the narrative of their own educational journey, but we have many options than can help make study abroad a reality,” said Tammy Gibbs, CIE manager.

Many Madison College programs are 10 to 14 days, so it's not necessarily a semester-long commitment. Plus, there are faculty-led programs where students can take part of a course on campus and a portion of it abroad.

To address funding challenges, CIE has worked with the Madison College Foundation to create a scholarship specifically to help fund study abroad learning.  

To apply or donate, visit the Madison College Foundation's Global Horizons International Education Fund webpage.

Belmas encourages students interested in educational experience to talk with CIE staff during their first year to allow time to prepare. If going abroad is not currently feasible, virtual exchange and participating in Cultural Connect, a global friendship program, are great alternatives to gain cultural competencies while remaining on-campus.