Globalization is not a new concept; in fact, modern industrialization can be marked by 19^th-century advancements in automation. The ability to mass produce items created a global trade market which opened up new economies. The 20^th century ushered in more than trading goods between different countries—it offered a glimpse into commercial integration. With the advent of the internet in 1990 advancements in technology have created an interconnected 21^st-century world (1). From globalized business to connection through social media, technology has taken an insulated population and created a global population.

This is especially apparent when we look at our classrooms. Students have a constant online presence, interacting with people from around the world on a daily basis. As educators, we have an opportunity to harness a student’s interest in other people and a student’s curiosity about other cultures to create cultural competence for success in the ever complex 21^st-century world.  Further, as educators we are guided by the United States Department of Education’s (ED) “mission to promote student achievement and preparation for global competitiveness by fostering educational excellence and ensuring equal access” (2) and encouraged by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals to educate students about “the global challenges we face, including those related to poverty, inequality, climate, environmental degradation, prosperity, and peace and justice” (3). Although the purpose is clear, the “why” is sometimes opaque.

So why do our students need global competence? Twenty-first-century students exist in a diverse and interconnected world. Mass migration erases borders, concerns over climate instability create community, and constant social and technological interconnection amalgamates cultures. This means students must learn global competence to discover ways to live harmoniously in multicultural communities, thrive in a changing labor market, and use media platforms effectively and responsibly. Teaching students to investigate worlds beyond their immediate environment promotes cultural awareness and respectful community interactions as well as affords respectful communication with diverse audiences (4).

This integrative outlook on the world is not just a collection of independent skills; it is both a disciplinary and interdisciplinary understanding of the globe as a system (4).  This interdisciplinary understanding needs to be purposeful, grounded, interactive, and thoughtful (4) to keep students engaged in the learning process. Student engagement is key in any learning process but is especially important when students are tackling concepts outside of their comfort zones. Collaborative learning, and working through the lens of empathy, can help students absorb the dissonance in these topics.

Zepke & Leach, 2010 note that “When institutions provide opportunities for students to learn both autonomously and with others, and to develop their sense of competence, students are more likely to be motivated, to engage and succeed.” (5). Educators can have students work independently and together to create a habit of global competence by asking students to complete such assignments as “write an argument concerning the promise and period of globalization, or a narrative on life of a migrant child, or an explanation of how communication technologies work to facilitate democratic movements in a given region” (4).  Asking the students to engage in discussions about complex problems and work collaboratively to find solutions helps them stay on task by tapping into the emotion which drives cognition (Schwatrz, 2016); these are critical metacognitive skills needed to internalize concepts of a globalized system.

The future is here, globalization is real, and 21^st-century students need competencies in order to work with people from different cultures, on global teams, and with international consumers. Students need to envision, tackle, and solve problems in ways not yet conceived, and of course the competition in the global business arena is only becoming more competitive.  By engaging students through addressing global challenges, globalizing the context for learning, connecting universal themes, illuminating global knowledge and history, and learning through international collaboration (4), we can ensure that our students are ready for the future that lies ahead.