Students Going Abroad Prepare to Contribute in Globalized Economy
by Mary Ann Baenninger, President, College of St. Benedict
(MN)
Published in the St. Paul Pioneer Press, February
5, 2006
When Gov. Tim Pawlenty returned from his November trade mission to China,
he noted the sense of urgency that faces America when it comes to retraining
workers to compete in the global market.
"U.S. citizens need to recognize China's economic changes as an opportunity,"
Pawlenty said. "A more rigorous and relevant U.S. education system
is critical to economic competitiveness as labor-intensive U.S. jobs fade."
It's a message that resonates every day for Minnesota colleges, universities
and businesses.
According to the recently revised Open Doors report from the Institute
of International Education, five of the top 16 American baccalaureate
colleges sending students abroad are located in Minnesota. So, too, are
two of the top 15 comprehensive universities and one of the top 20 doctoral
institutions.
I'm proud to say that the College of St. Benedict in St. Joseph and St.
John's University in Collegeville are among those schools—and have
been for quite some time. At the College of St. Benedict, nearly two-thirds
of our students study internationally before they graduate, a participation
rate nearly twice the national average for liberal arts colleges. For
the past two years, St. Benedict and St. John's have together been among
the top three undergraduate liberal arts colleges nationally for students
studying abroad.
In November, CSB/SJU celebrated its 20th anniversary of relations with
Southwest University in Beibei, Sichuan Province. The 25 St. Benedict
and St. John's students studying at Southwest University last fall were
the only Western students among 50,000 resident students attending the
college. We hope to send a group of students to the school in May and
June for research with an undergraduate partner from Southwest University.
In July and August, the Chinese students will visit central Minnesota
to continue their research.
Each year, we send graduates to Southwest University and other colleges
in China to teach English. After a year or two, these graduates pursue
entrepreneurial opportunities in China, or enter graduate programs to
prepare for careers in China-related education, business, diplomacy and
non-governmental organization work. Many of them maintain a Minnesota
connection.
In dozens of creative ways, they are adding to Minnesota's "bank"
of human capital with their experience and expertise. In this sense, they
are valuable bridge-builders between Minnesota and the "Asian Century."
We need students to continue their reach across the world. It's clear
these connections are fueling business opportunities down the road and
building long-term cross-cultural relationships. That education prepares
our students for the more complex global environment, be it in Spain,
Central America or Australia.
But much attention has been focused on China—for good reason. With
1.3 billion people, China provides the U.S. with a large and growing market.
Minnesota already has its foot in the door in China, from leading global
companies like 3M and Best Buy to smaller, central Minnesota businesses
like DeZurik, Komo Machine, Creative Memories, Stearns Inc. and Gold'n
Plump.
In 2004, Minnesota businesses sold goods to China valuing $672 million.
China ranks fourth among countries importing Minnesota manufacturing goods.
Clearly, Pawlenty hopes it could be more.
"If you want to see the future, we need to understand what's going
on in China and position Minnesota for that change," Pawlenty said.
It's a change that's already happening at Minnesota schools and businesses.
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Making
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