As Allison Ribick wrote in her article “CLS Program trains students in language, culture learning,” the United States government has accepted four Grand Valley State University students into its Critical Language Scholarship Program. This means that they will have the opportunity to travel abroad to one of 13 countries, where they will gain inside experience of the culture and language.

We commend these students for taking a leap into other areas of the world, and we encourage other students to place more emphasis on learning about other cultures and languages. There are many reasons why this is essential.

Broadening your experiences is necessary because it helps with understanding other cultures and be less prone to bias. Some students might think they don’t have any biases or stereotypical views of others. We may not realize it, but, as Vice President for Inclusion and Equity Jesse Bernal and others mentioned at this year’s Teach-In, everyone has implicit biases that they carry with them – no matter where they go. It is important to recognize these. Communicating with others of different backgrounds is one way to diminish any biases and stereotypes we may have.

In addition to learning about other cultures, learning new languages is becoming increasingly important in today’s global world. Since more companies are now doing business abroad, the ability to speak a foreign language puts one at an advantage over other candidates for the position. GVSU offers a wide variety of language classes and opportunities for students to practice their language skills.

Taking advantage of the CLS Program or a similar program is just way one to get involved. Another way is to apply for a study abroad trip to another country. Whichever continent you want to visit, you will learn valuable lessons directly from the people in those areas. GVSU offers many programs, including trips led by faculty members and partnerships with international schools. The university also provides students with support from the Office of Fellowships and the Padnos International Center – both are places where students can ask questions and learn more about the opportunities that are available to them while attending college.

Though it may seem daunting to step out of your comfort zone to learn another language or visit a country with a very different culture than you’re used to, it also provides unique insights into new perspectives and ways of doing things. This is not only helpful for students looking for jobs, but also to grow personally. Many of these opportunities are only available through the university, so students should look into these opportunities and take the risk to learn about what the rest of the world is like.