Going to school, whether for the first time or as an adult returning to education, offers numerous benefits that can significantly impact personal and professional development. In school, I studied that on Earth there are 4 oceans, but now they teach about one or five. Science becomes outdated due to a combination of factors, including the nature of scientific progress itself, pressures associated with publication and peer review processes, increasing specialization among researchers, rapid technological advancements that outpace existing methodologies, institutional inertia that resists change, and the necessity for regular updates based on new evidence. In the mediaeval times, the Latin language was used as lingua franca. "La somma sapienza e'l primo amore" (Divina Commedia, Dante Alighieri). The Western rational tradition is a set of assumptions upon which major concepts of reality, learning, and education are based. For example, national and international laws often protect human rights for everybody, not only the elite.
Merchants have been traveling for thousands of years. Empathy is the key to success, not friendship, alumni status, or a contract. Even today, going to travel is not only for linguistic students. Going abroad to learn a new language and culture is a basis for doing business or cooperating with scientists. Even adolescents or adults from vocational schools may need to do internships to develop communication skills, independence, and modern working techniques and knowledge. Language skills are not limited to using computer translation programs or reading old-fashioned books, and society's values, culture, economics, political systems, and laws will vary from country to country. Intercultural communication is a critical field of study that examines how individuals from different cultural backgrounds communicate, interact, and understand one another. This discipline recognizes that culture significantly influences communication styles, behaviors, and perceptions. People cannot buy "karma". The goal of intercultural communication is to foster mutual understanding and respect among diverse groups by recognizing cultural differences and promoting effective interaction.
Educational relativism is a philosophical stance that posits that the values, beliefs, and practices within educational systems are not universal but rather dependent on cultural, social, and contextual factors. This perspective suggests that what is considered “good” or “effective” education can vary significantly across different societies and communities. ‘I have never been to England,’ interrupted Fräulein Sonia, ‘but I have many English acquaintances. They are so cold!’ She shivered. ‘Fish-Blooded,’ snapped Frau Godowska. ‘Without soul, without heart, without grace. But you cannot equal their dress materials. I spent a week in Brighton twenty years ago, and the travelling cape I bought there is not yet worn out – the one you wrap the hot-water bottle in, Sonia. My lamented husband, your father, Sonia, knew a great deal about England. But the more he knew about it the oftener he remarked to me, “England is merely an island of beef flesh swimming in a warm gulf of sea of gravy.” Such a brilliant way of putting things. Do you remember, Sonia?’ (Katherine Mansfield, From The Modern Soul, pp. 44- 45).
The culture of Estonia has deep historical roots, with its origins tracing back thousands of years. Estonian has a well-known saying: "Kalkun arvas ka, et muneb, aga hoopis sittus!" Cultural relativism is the philosophical position that asserts that a person’s beliefs, values, and practices should be understood based on that person’s own culture, rather than being judged against the criteria of another culture. This perspective emphasizes that there are no universal standards to evaluate cultures; each culture must be viewed in its context. I have completed training with experts from more than 8 different countries. Sometimes enforced with acronyms such as DIMEFIL (Diplomatic, Information, Military, Economic, Financial, Intelligence, and Law Enforcement). Living abroad offers transformative experiences that promote personal growth, cultural awareness, professional development, and enhanced communication skills—all contributing factors toward becoming more well-rounded individuals capable of thriving in diverse environments.
The parable of the Blind Men And An Elephant is a story of a group of blind men who have never encountered an elephant before and who learn and imagine what the elephant is like by touching it from Ancient India. One man, touching the trunk, thinks the elephant is like a thick snake. Another feeling the ear believes it’s like a kind of fan. The man touching the leg perceives it as a pillar or tree trunk. The one feeling its side describes it as a wall. The man touching the tail thinks it’s a rope. Lastly, the man feeling the tusk describes it as hard, smooth, and spear-like. Factual relativism, also known as epistemic relativism or alethic relativism, posits that truth is not absolute but relative to the perspectives of individuals or groups. This philosophical stance suggests that what is a fact can vary based on cultural, historical, or contextual factors. In essence, factual relativism argues that different people or cultures may interpret facts differently, leading to multiple “truths” existing simultaneously.
Dr Gladys McGarey spent her childhood in India and chance encounter with Mahatma Gandhi. She began her medical practice at a time when women couldn’t even own their own bank accounts in the US. At age 102, she published her book The Well Lived Life (2023). Dr Gladys McGarey: "If you are not looking for something you cannot see it. And so I’m always looking for something that needs to be done. And if I don't get it done then it doesn't get done that day and I have to do it tomorrow but it’s life has to move. You have to give it some juice to continue to grow. If you stop growing you die. That’s what happens. If you think that you aren’t worth anything anymore and if your presence here isn’t valued or it’s discounted or it’s a process of just disintegrating then what’s what will happen. It won’t happen if you are actually looking for something if you are looking for the light, if you reach for the light. The light will always be there."
Survival skills involve activities people can do without digital devices or electricity. In some places, these basic skills are still taught. According to Dr Jane Goodall, the DNA of chimpanzees is 98% similar to that of humans. 21st-century skills are critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and communication through digital literacy. It is a combination of both technical and cognitive abilities in using information and communication technologies to create, evaluate, and share information. Thinking is the activity of using your brain to consider a problem or possibility or create an idea. Creativity is, for example, building yourself a website, writing a text that is based on your thoughts, and adding pictures or videos you made yourself from places you have visited. If you read, you take part in communication, but it’s up to you not to read. You can go away or close the website page by clicking the x mark at the top.
The English language has never had a formal regulator anywhere, outside of private productions such as the Oxford English Dictionary. It is no secret that the origin of the English language is influenced by Latin and French, and Oxford is the oldest university in the English-speaking world. Standard French from 1635, for example, is regulated by the French Academy (Académie Française). "Que le dialogue reste ouvert, et il tendra à unir les hommes de bonne volonté. Le vrai patriotisme n’exclut pas la compréhension du patriotisme des autres." (La reine Élizabeth II). You can be a seed inside the Great Pyramid for about 5,000 years, and nothing happens until light and water soften the shell, which is like love. According to Gladys McGarey, the progress of human civilizations is based solely on love. Dr Peter Jarvis thought that individual learning as a basic need is equal to individual eating needs. The person will need personal food as well as personal progress, change, and development, which lasts throughout life. He was a towering figure in adult and lifelong education in the UK.
Dr Kirsi Tirri stated that people are not born as teachers. I believe that theoretical knowledge alone does not constitute teaching; it is a vocational job based on hands-on activities with children and youth. Many academics have never spent a single day in a classroom. Rousseau wrote about education, but could not teach his children or any others in France. Teachers in Paris are selected through an automated computer program based on education, tests, and experience. Often, colleagues do not collaborate or accept each other. Teachers also cannot choose a school or neighbourhood in which to work. It's a lifetime position, but experienced teachers can apply for relocation. Estonians can work as teachers in London. There are no universal requirements for teaching in private schools across the United States or in independent schools in the UK. Principals can employ anyone they choose.
Several intrinsic qualities are considered innate and cannot be effectively taught through traditional training methods. Anyone can apply to open education if they meet the ethics and values of the organization or community. In England, people can apply to PhD programs without a master's degree. The qualifications have been designed to be accessible without artificial barriers that restrict access and progression. It's not allowed to use information older than 10 years for a master's degree in the UK, and doctoral information older than 4 years is considered outdated. From that point of view, education in England is more valued as it is the home country of the Industrial Revolution, unbiased minds, technology, creativity and innovation, and the English language. Estonia, for example, is not among the top 10 countries in Europe for speaking English as a foreign language. I am a UK Skilled Worker and a European citizen. It also applies to Hong Kong or the USA.
I published some grey literature in the UK up to 200 pages. I could not have written as I did if I had not studied in France and England. Often in my life, when asked what I would like to do if I weren't a teacher, I've mentioned that I'd like to try a career in HRM and adult training in an international company. My grandparents grew up during WWII. My parents were schoolteachers for 40 years. I grew up in a post-communist society in the middle of nowhere, watching just lavish Hollywood productions. I made my debut alone in Paris at age 16, and I feel like home to go back. While studying in London, I also made study visits to New York, Las Vegas, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Cambridge, and Oxford because I cannot imagine teaching things I have not seen or experienced personally. I do postgraduate research in Cambridge. Humans can be naive or egocentric, but people's lives are interconnected. Life design is not the same as buying some tomatoes to eat. Invisible beauty is often more important than visible reality. If you want to build a house, you must start with a basement construction. Confucius Quote: If your plan is for one year plant rice. If your plan is for ten years plant trees. If your plan is for one hundred years educate children.
1. Social Welfare and Justice (Food Security: Every individual should have access to sufficient nutrition. Affordable Housing: Everyone deserves safe and sanitary living conditions. Healthcare Access: Universal healthcare should be available to all citizens without financial hardship. Education Opportunities: Access to quality education for at least 16 years is essential for personal development and societal progress).
2. Economic Equity (Meritocracy: Individuals should be rewarded based on their efforts and achievements rather than their socio-economic background. Fair Distribution of Wealth: Economic policies should aim to reduce inequality by ensuring that wealth is not concentrated in the hands of a few. Support for Small Businesses: Encouraging entrepreneurship can lead to innovation and job creation).
3. Political Participation and Democracy (Democratic Governance: Laws and policies must reflect the will of the majority while protecting minority rights. Transparency and Accountability: Government actions should be open to public scrutiny to foster trust among citizens. Civic Engagement: Citizens should actively participate in decision-making processes at local, regional, and national levels).
4. Environmental Sustainability (Sustainable Practices: Implementing policies that promote renewable energy sources and reduce waste. Conservation Efforts: Protecting natural habitats and biodiversity is essential for maintaining ecological balance. Community Involvement in Environmental Initiatives: Engaging citizens in sustainability efforts fosters a sense of responsibility towards nature).
5. Community Cohesion (Strong Family Structures: Families play a critical role in instilling values such as kindness, respect, and cooperation. Cultural Diversity Acceptance: Embracing diverse cultures enhances social harmony and mutual understanding among different groups. Low Crime Rates: Effective crime control measures combined with rehabilitation programs contribute to community safety).
6. Happiness and Well-being (Mental Health Support Services: Providing resources for mental health care helps address issues like depression or anxiety prevalent in many societies today. Work-Life Balance Initiatives: Ensuring individuals do not have to work excessively long hours allows them time for family, leisure, and personal growth).