IVECA Cultivates Global Harmony Through Cultural Exchange

In the dynamic world of virtual education, IVECA orchestrated a cultural symphony that transcended geographical boundaries. At the end of the semester in late December 2023, students from Korea, India, and the United States were brought together to explore their countries' Histories of Migration and Colonial Legacies and Revolutions. This collaborative endeavor aimed to forge a meaningful link between the histories of migration and the colonial era, acknowledging them as interconnected facets in the overarching narrative of each country and of our shared global history. By delving into these narratives, students not only gained insights into their different cultural roots but also uncovered the universal threads that bind their stories together, such as shared struggles, resilience, and the quest for identity, fostering a sense of interconnectedness and shared understanding across borders.

Students in Korea, India and the United States set out on an exploration of their respective nations' migration and colonial history, spanning from the Joseon Dynasty to contemporary times. Meticulously, they examined historical events, such as the migration of Wiman and the impact of migration on Korea, and the arrival of the British, the battle of Plassey, and the Non-Cooperation Movement in India. They presented significant historical figures who shaped their countries’ destinies, contemplating the enduring legacies of colonialism. American students presented a diverse array of historical topics that resonated with the theme and explored the earliest migrations to the Americas, presenting theories such as the land bridge and coastal migration. Through these cross-cultural discussions, students looked into nuanced perspectives.

For instance, a Korean student shared a profound reflection on the varying perspectives and interpretations of history. "When I was taught about Vasco da Gama, I was taught that he was a great explorer who opened new routes. But after your presentation, I saw that people from the countries he sailed to thought he was an invader.” Furthermore, students from India were able to draw parallels between the reasons for colonization in both countries, such as the exploitation of land for minerals and other riches for the capitalization of the colonial power, and how the struggle for independence took a similar shape, with revolutionists and protesters facing hardships and violence in their fight. These sentiments illustrate the transformative nature of this exchange, moving beyond historical facts to exploring the diverse interpretations and impacts of historical events. Such discussions contribute to the development of intercultural knowledge and skills, fostering a comparative understanding of historical narratives and cultivating a global perspective that embraces cultural diversity and differing viewpoints.  

From exploring detailed historical accounts, the narrative unfolded into a vibrant celebration, highlighting the rich and diverse cultural beauty each country contributed to the exchange. The martial artistry of Taekwondo, the soulful strains of a live violin, and the rhythmic grace of traditional Indian dance converged in a virtual celebration of cultural diversity. These performances underscored the power of art to transcend boundaries and foster unity while reflecting the cultural richness of each country.

Emotional and insightful letters exchanged among students spotlighted the value of this cross-cultural exploration. Students in Korea expressed gratitude for the meaningful exchange, recognizing the unity in diversity. “The connections we've forged serve as a powerful reminder of the beauty in diversity and the strength found in unity,” a Korean student said. Students from the United States acknowledged the enlightening perspectives shared by their Korean counterparts, “the information you provided shed light on the beautiful diversity that exists across different continents, exposing us to new perspectives.” Indian students highlighted the knowledge gained from exploring the colonial legacies of their country, “we understood that there is always a silver lining in the cloud and there are some good aftereffects of colonialism as well,” they shared.

As the curtain falls on these cultural exchanges and collaborative studies, IVECA continues to be a bridge of understanding, connecting young minds across continents. The impact of these experiences is not just in the historical knowledge gained but in the empathy cultivated and the realization that, as global citizens, their efforts to understand and celebrate diverse perspectives contribute to a more harmonious world. As one student from the United States put it, “we have gained valuable knowledge about different cultures but mainly developed a greater appreciation for diversity and the importance of cultural exchange.”

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The Impact of Globalization on Our Societies

On December 11th and 20th, high school students in the United States and South Korea virtually assembled to discuss the theme of the "Impact of Globalization on Our Societies." As classrooms from both sides of the globe logged into the IVECA Live Class, the stage was set for a dynamic exploration of how globalization has shaped our societies. To lend focus to their exploration, the students turned to the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These global benchmarks provided a lens through which the impact of globalization could be analyzed and related to broader societal goals. Each group chose specific SDGs, such as Clean Water and Sanitation and Climate Action, to anchor their research and discussions.

Guided by the SDGs set forth by the United Nations, US students drew connections between globalization and societal progress. For instance, the discussion around SDG 6, clean water and sanitation, unearthed historical practices of purifying water through gravel and sand. Drawing parallels to the present, students celebrated the power of contemporary influencers, such as Mr. Beast, a social media content creator who leveraged his platform to fundraise and drill over 100 wells in Africa. This compelling example highlighted the positive impact that globalization, when harnessed effectively, can have on addressing pressing global challenges.

Starting from the ancient civilization of Gojoseon, the first kingdom on the Korean Peninsula, Korean students guided their audience on globalization’s impact over time. In one group, with a focus on SDG 13 - Climate Action, students recounted the fear of Gojoeson civilians of freezing to death from frigid temperatures. Fast forward to the present, Earth’s temperature has been rising steadily over hundreds of years. Countries are banding together to work towards the climate crisis solutions with the Paris Climate Agreement adopted in 2015. Through this agreement, countries have set goals to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions. Furthermore, in alignment with their US partners, Korean students highlighted the importance of platforms such as the Climate Action Challenge, a social media competition that encourages ordinary people to respond to the climate crisis. The boundaries that have once separated us are now blurred, allowing for a free flow of ideas and cultures.

The overarching message resonating from these virtual exchange sessions was clear: the more connected we are through globalization, the greater our ability to communicate and collaborate toward achieving shared goals. As these students continue to learn from each other and build connections across continents, they are not just participants in a virtual exchange; they are shaped into global citizens who create an impact on their societies. A Korean student stated, “The international exchange is not something that happens easily, and sharing stories with people from different cultures is incredibly valuable. Through this experience, my school years have become even more meaningful.”

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Improving Artificial Intelligence for Intercultural Understanding

Students from the United States and South Korea took part in profound and enlightening discussions during their IVECA Live Classes on December 11th and 13th. Tackling the topic of “Promoting Cultural Diversity in AI”, students spent the last several months researching and analyzing the increased use of Artificial Intelligence within their countries and the impact these programs have had on society.

South Korean students critically analyzed the effects of AI bias from creating cases of misunderstanding and discrimination between individuals to the erosion of trust and instability of international partnerships. Acknowledging the potential for AI to impact direct users through responses given to questions, South Korean students also touched on other possible effects of AI bias, including the issue of convincing material, such as “deep fakes” being used to influence large groups of people through social media. Students also noted the difference between the use of AI in the two countries. The students claimed that one way to bridge the gap between diverse groups was to ensure access to technology across all social groups. As one student thoughtfully suggested, “It is important to understand and fix the unfairness in AI” by promoting intercultural learning through accessible cost-effective education and avoiding exclusive technologies.

Meanwhile, student groups from the United States also shared their perspective on cultural bias in AI, noting several contributing factors and ways to avoid increased bias in the future. As one group explained, monoculturalism (the policy or process of supporting, advocating, or allowing the expression of the culture of a single social or ethnic group) stems from the suppression of differing voices and opinions. Therefore, they argued that creating diversity in AI requires algorithms that “overrules anything that resembles monoculturalism” while also acknowledging that further education on the subject is necessary on the user’s end. They suggest AI programs contain “a warning label that alerts the questioner if the given response will contain cultural bias”. Another American student group suggested a way to develop unbiased AI programs from the start by including a balanced group of diverse programmers, writers, and researchers in the algorithm creation before combining all sources of input into one.

Agreeing on the importance of fair, unbiased artificial intelligence was easy. Students from both countries shared the position of understanding that AI, while an invaluable asset to modern day society, must also be carefully integrated with balanced sources of information to avoid increasing impact on users around the globe. Further solidifying the sense of community between the two schools, students participated in sharing cultural performances, Q&A sessions, and thoughtful farewells after presentations had finished.

Brought together through serious discussion, critical insight, laughter, and even cheeky jokes from each side of the globe, the teenagers in both countries were the image of global citizenship. By being part of the conversation around cultural bias, they actively became part of the solution.

#IVECA #LiveClass #InterculturalExchange #GlobalCitizenshipEducation #InterculturalEducation #21stCenturyEducation