Be a World Citizen

Being a global citizen means identifying with an ever-growing global community and actively contributing to positive growth within the community. It is important to identify with a global community, but that doesn’t mean you have to travel far or abandon your personal identity. To become a global citizen, you should have an open mind, educate yourself, get involved in your community, and travel when possible.[1]

Steps

Having an Open Mindset

  1. Learn about your heritage. To be a global citizen, you must identify with a world community, but you should not lose your heritage or culture. Your heritage involves what cultures are present in your family history, what culture your family actively subscribes to, and what community you live in today. To learn about these, talk to your family, research your family history on the internet, and get to know more about your community by being active citizen. [2]
    • You can research your background on websites like Ancestry.com. Most websites that offer these services do charge a fee.
    • Be an active community member by exploring its museums, making use of the library, and talking to members of the community.
    • Ask your family what they consider their heritage to be. It is possible to have many different heritages in one family.
    • Think about where you come from. For example, if you are a North American, you have many cultures within being a North American. You may be a North American, from the United States, who lives in Texas, but has a Mexican heritage.
  2. Inquire about others’ backgrounds. Ask your friends, family members, or teachers, about their cultural backgrounds and what that means to them. This isn’t limited to people you know personally. You can also research the backgrounds of your favorite political or entertainment figures, whether they are current or historical.[3]
    • For example, you could ask “What would you consider your cultural background to be, and is it important in your daily life?” Before asking people about their background, make sure you tell them that you are trying to learn more about every culture. Be as polite and respectful as possible. Don’t push the subject if the other person doesn’t want to talk about it.
  3. Learn about equality and inequality. Thinking that all people are equal goes beyond respect. To truly be a global citizen, you should believe that all people are equal regardless of their race or religion. A person who believes in equality believes that every person deserves healthcare, education, respect, and justice when wronged. Watch the news and read newspapers and history books to gain an understanding of inequality that has happened in the past and is happening in the present. To believe in equality, it is crucial to see where equality has not been achieved.[4]
    • You should also read history books to see how equality was achieved. For example, it is important to learn about the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s, and the important figures involved in the movement, like Martin Luther King Jr.

Educating Yourself

  1. Learn about current and past events. Visit the library, subscribe to newspapers, and watch the news. You may have learned about past events in history, but brush up on world history by visiting your library and checking out history books about different cultures. To understand where the world is today, you need to see how past events have influenced the present. It is just as, if not more, important to stay updated on events happening all throughout the world.[5].
    • Some things to learn about are: Global policies (international treaties), programs, wars (past and present), tragedies, positive happenings, politics, and entertainment news from all over the word. Information can be found in your local library, on the internet, and on television. It is possible to find international news in your language.
  2. Discover the values of other cultures. It is positive and necessary to respect the values of a global community, but it is also important to learn about them. Some values to learn about are human rights, poverty reduction, prevention of conflict between countries, and sustainable economic growth. These values can be learned by visiting your local library, watching the news, and searching specifically for the values country by country on an online search.[5]
    • Consider cultures that seem far removed from your own culture. If you are familiar with Western culture, consider learning about countries like South Korea, India, and China. If you are familiar with Eastern culture, consider learning about France, Canada, and Norway. You can also learn about countries like Brazil and Argentina.
    • Other values like religion, entertainment, and manners can be learned in the same way, but you also can learn about them by talking to members of other cultures.
  3. Read as much as possible. You will learn about values and events from reading, but you will learn about parts of the world you wouldn’t have thought about by reading. You can learn about your own and other cultures by reading books, both fiction and nonfiction. Reading will allow you to get a glimpse into someone’s mind that is not possible in any other way.[6]
    • You can look on websites like Goodreads, TasteKid, and Shelfari for reading recommendations.
  4. Learn another language. There are many benefits that come from learning a new language. It is the best way to get to know another culture, become more open-minded, and bridge cultural gaps. Learning another language can seem daunting, but it is possible with time and dedication. You can learn another language on your own, in a class, and with the help of a willing friend.[7]
    • Check out a language textbook from the library. A book may not help you become fluent in a language, but it is a good introduction to the basics and grammar.
    • Look for classes in your community. Sometimes colleges will allow enrollment, but there are programs that offer language classes in the community. There are also classes offered online.
    • Once you have some basics down, try communicating with people who are fluent in the language you have chosen to learn. You can ask people in your community, or try communicating with people online, as long as it is done safely. Make sure the other person is willing and happy to help.
  5. Learn about your purchases. Unless you consciously buy locally, there is a large chance that many things you own and buy come from other places in the world. Globalization has made trade, importing, and exporting easier and more common than ever. It seems positive because it has made some products cheap, but it is negative because the conditions those products are being made aren’t always positive. Take a look at what you buy, see where they were made, and learn about the conditions they were made in. Some things you can search for are: [6]
    • What are the conditions for the employees at the factory where my shoes were made?
    • Are the employees at this factory paid a living wage?
    • Is the factory that made my olive oil ecologically responsible?
    • Does the factory that made my t-shirt support gay rights?
  6. Understand climate change. Being a global citizen goes beyond engaging with and understanding people. Learning about the environment we live in, and the ongoing climate change crisis is important, too. There are still people that refute climate change, but the evidence for it is prominent. You can do an online search to learn about climate change, watch documentaries, and read news that is focused specifically on the environment.[8]
    • To learn about what you can do to be more environmentally friendly, do an online search for The Environmental Protection Agency. Their website offers a list of things you can do in your daily life to limit greenhouse gas emissions.

Getting Involved in Your Community

  1. Share and listen to stories. Being a part of the global community starts in your local community. Share stories about your background, and listen to the stories of others. You can ask friends, family members, and people you encounter at school, church, or work to share stories about their backgrounds.[8]
    • For example, if you are talking to someone from a different culture, you could ask “What is it like celebrating your biggest holiday? What is it like for you?” To a friend or family member, you could ask for a memory from their childhood.
    • You can also turn to social media to listen to and share stories with a broader community of people. You can go to YouTube, Twitter, and Facebook to share and search for content.
  2. Support art, music, and culture in your community. Search for art and music shows. Also, look for cultural fairs and exhibitions. You can go to your local theatre, venues, schools and cultural centers to ask for information about upcoming events. Spending time supporting your community both financially and with your time at events is a great way to actively be a community member.[5]
  3. Make new friends. Building and nurturing relationships is a vital part of being an active global community member. Make new friends with people from your culture, as well as other cultures. Start locally, and then you can build your connections globally through social media and pen pal programs.[9]
    • If you are in school, ask a classmate to join you in an activity. If you work, ask a coworker if they would like to accompany you to an event.
    • Post and respond to the updates of others on social media. You can reach out to people in your community, or people from all over the world. Do not, however, share any personal information with strangers.
    • Join a pen pal program. You can sign up on safe and secure websites to exchange letters or emails with another person from anywhere in the world. This is a good way to get to know about the daily life and values of another person from a different culture firsthand. A few pen pal programs are PenPal World, Mail friends, and International Pen Friends.[10]
  4. Volunteer locally. You don’t have to travel far to make a positive impact by volunteering. There are plenty of opportunities to volunteer within your community. You can volunteer at your local homeless shelter, senior center, or education center. Many people acting locally influences a global change.[6]
    • VolunteerMatch is a website that matches you with volunteer opportunities in your community. Enter your email, and you will receive a newsletter with volunteer opportunities in your community weekly.
  5. Donate wisely. It’s okay if you do not have the means to donate, but if you do, donate your money wisely. Donating is a great way to support local and global causes, but there are many charities out there that do not use their funds honestly. Research any foundation before giving your money to it. A couple of trustworthy foundations are:
    • The Life You Can Save. This is a website that recommends trustworthy charities: https://www.thelifeyoucansave.org/
    • Zidisha. This foundation is focused on microlending. Microlending is giving small amounts of money to a person or company with low or no interests rates. Money typically goes to businesses or people in the developing world: https://www.zidisha.org/[6]
  6. Stand up for injustice. Injustice to people, animals, and the land has occurred all throughout history. Unfortunately, injustice still happens in the world today. A global community member should not stand passively by, but instead, stand up against anyone or anything that has been wronged. How active you want to be is your choice.[4]
    • Voice your opinion on social media. There are hashtags dedicated to specific causes. A few of those causes are #BlackLivesMatter and #YesAllWomen.
    • Attend a peaceful protest for a cause you care about in your city.

Traveling to Other Places

  1. Take a road trip. Seeing the world is part of being a global citizen. You don’t have to travel far to learn about other parts of the world. You can drive to the next town, state, or even country, if you live in an area where it is possible to do so. The important thing is that you observe and interact with the land, people, and local culture.[11]
  2. Teach in another community. It is enough to teach others in your community, but it is also an option to teach abroad. You can volunteer to teach abroad, or be paid to teach in another country. There are many programs out there that you can apply to to teach in the destination of your choice. Some programs require a specific degree, but others do not.[12]
    • The JET Programme is an organization that sends teachers to Japan to teach English.
    • The TEFL program sends teachers to speak English in several countries.
  3. Volunteer. You can volunteer to teach, but there are plenty of other options to volunteer if teaching is not your thing. Volunteering is great way to help others while enriching your own knowledge of other cultures. You can volunteer to work on a farm, build schools in developing countries, or spread your religion to others.[13]
    • The WWOOF programs sends volunteers to work on organic farms all over the world.
    • Global Vision International is a program that has volunteer and internship opportunities all over the world in a range of programs, like animal care and education.
    • International Volunteer HQ has programs all over the world in childcare, medical care, etc.
    • Keep in mind that most volunteer programs require a fee.
  4. Travel abroad. Traveling abroad can be expensive, but it is possible if you save your money over time and budget well. To spend less on travel, take low-cost airlines, buses, or trains. Avoid staying in expensive hotels. Instead, stay in an Airbnb apartment, or consider Couchsurfing, a website that offers a free place to stay. Shop at the local grocery store instead of eating out for every meal. You don’t have to travel extravagantly to get the most out of an experience abroad.[6]
    • Only stay in situations that you feel comfortable with. Connect through certified websites, and leave any situation that makes you feel uncomfortable.

Tips

  • Read New Internationalist.
  • Becoming a world citizen requires a conscious effort. It is an ongoing, sometimes frustrating process, but it is worth it.
  • Reach out to members of your community who come from other cultures, but do so in a respectful manner.

Warnings

  • Friends, family, or other community members may disagree with your efforts to become a global citizen. This can be hurtful and frustrating, but sit down and talk to them about why you are making these efforts.
  • Don’t spend all of your money in an effort to become an active community member. Money is not required to learn and be active. Budget wisely.
  • Don’t stay in any situation that risks your safety. Learn and grow in a safe environment. Being out of your comfort zone and risking your safety are not the same.

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ http://www.kosmosjournal.org/article/what-does-it-mean-to-be-a-global-citizen/
  2. ↑ http://www.kosmosjournal.org/other-article/10-steps-to-becoming-a-global-citizen/
  3. ↑ http://ctb.ku.edu/en/table-of-contents/culture/cultural-competence/building-relationships/main
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 http://www.unitedworldschools.org/global-citizenship/
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 http://www.kosmosjournal.org/other-article/10-steps-to-becoming-a-global-citizen/
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 http://matadornetwork.com/change/6-ways-to-be-a-better-global-citizen-in-2014/
  7. ↑ https://www.globalcitizen.org/en/content/7-benefits-of-learning-another-language/
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 http://matadornetwork.com/life/5-ways-better-global-citizen-2015/
  9. ↑ http://www.globalkidsconnect.org/global-citizen/
  10. ↑ http://www.worldwide.edu/travel_planner/pen_pals.html
  11. ↑ http://www.huffingtonpost.com/allie-smith/thirteen-benefits-and-rewards-of-being-a-road-warrior_b_5352488.html
  12. ↑ http://jetprogramme.org/en/
  13. ↑ https://www.volunteerforever.com/article_post/2016-best-volunteer-abroad-programs-organizations-projects
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