Navigating Towards International Mindedness

The following article was written by Aaron McKinnon, Primary Years Programme (PYP) Coordinator.

As we learn and play within the shadows of the Boise foothills every day, we see more than just rugged terrain, grasses, shrubs, dirt, and rocks: we see countless wonders and opportunities to explore, concealed behind and within the steep slopes–a metaphor for the journey toward international mindedness. Much like hidden treasures within our landscape, international mindedness is about discovering and being part of the world, beyond surface appearance.  At Riverstone, internationally minded is a journey of learning and a mindset of practice.

The upcoming “Around the World'' Riverstone community event celebrates the wide cultural diversity our students, families, faculty, and staff bring to our school and our role as global citizens. The purpose of the day is to broaden our students’ horizons and afford opportunities for all of us to learn more about our community’s cultures through food, art, music, languages, and more while forming a greater understanding of our place in the wider world. It looks to be an informational and engaging day! Our collective stories, when understood and shared through community events like this, builds relationships, awareness, and international mindedness in unique and fun ways. 

While celebrations and community events play an essential role in developing international mindedness, it goes beyond just learning about different cultures—it's about fostering empathy, respect, and understanding for others. The International Baccalaureate Learner Profile serves as the language through which international mindedness is articulated and cultivated. By integrating the principles of the learner profile into teaching practices, we can go beyond cultural aspects to explore deeper values and beliefs. Much like uncovering resources in the hills around us, and exploring what lies beyond them, it requires intentional effort to unearth the richness of cultural diversity. In our daily learning experiences and planning, we emphasize the values of the IB Learner Profile, encouraging students to be caring, open-minded, and reflective in their interactions with their peers and the world around them. Through inquiry-based learning and collaborative discussions, students are encouraged to appreciate the common humanity shared by all cultures while respecting the uniqueness of each. Here is a link to further explore the Learner Profile attributes. 

Pivotal to unlocking the potential of any learner’s education, international mindedness isn't a singular action but a disposition, or mindset, cultivated through daily engagement with diverse perspectives. It's about being receptive to different ways of thinking and responding with empathy and understanding. Living abroad may expose individuals to new cultures, but true international-mindedness builds from an openness to embrace cultural differences regardless of geographical location. The internationally minded person takes action through discussion and collaboration to build a better and more peaceful world.

As we enjoy the Boise foothills, let’s consider unlimited possibilities. Together, as a community, we can navigate towards a future where international-mindedness is a way of life.