Campus Stereotypes Argumentative Essay Examples

Stereotyping of international students violate academic principles of equality and diversity. In various universities all over the country, principles of equality and diversity as commonly incorporated in the mission, vision, and goals statements, as a way of enticing students from other countries to enroll. The number of international students enrolling in U.S. universities were reported to have been manifesting an increasing trend and where cultural profiles have indicated that a greater influx of international students come from China. Other international students seen to proliferate in increasing numbers come from India, South Korea, and Saudi Arabia, among others. These students expect that they are to be treated equally and fairly, as promoted in the university’s core principles and values.
Concurrently, stereotyping of foreign students have potentials for creating conflict in campus. As observed, stereotyping international students have been noted to instigate divisiveness and alienation. Student organizations have been created to segregate foreign students according to cultural orientations: the Chinese academic society, for instance, or the association of Saudi Arabian students. The structuring of students according to ethnic, racial, or cultural backgrounds counter the promotion of cultural diversity and disables sharing of student experiences which could be instrumental to academic growth.
Moreover, stereotyping foreign students is tantamount to labelling which leads to the development of social stigma. Categorizing Chinese students as perennially academically focused and numbers oriented would led to failure to acknowledge other competencies and traits. As such, labelling them according to erroneous beliefs could miss out opportunities for establish bonds for socialization and interaction. In the end, missed opportunities would mean curtailment of developing cultural awareness and competencies which could have been made possible through sharing experiences and forging friendly alliances.
On the other hand, students from the dominant culture could always assert that stereotyping has always been a way of life and persists to safeguard erosion of values in the prevailing culture. Stereotyping serves as a checking mechanism to prevent other cultures to assimilate in the current way of life. For instance, some foreign students could be observed to be adamant to go with the flow, emulate behavior, and even forget traditional practices to attest to their intentions to immediately assimilate to the dominant culture. In the process, no added value is accorded nor shared which could supposedly enrich inter-cultural academic experiences.
Likewise, international students could also be observed as guilty of exemplifying stereotyping, themselves. They are the ones who conceptualized the establishment of cultural associations within the academic setting which precludes membership only to foreign students. As such, their isolating behavior could be interpreted as boastful, snobby, and arrogant.
Finally, the behavior of foreign students was consistent with the assertions noted in stereotyped beliefs. Studying in western universities provide them with opportunities for academic growth which is a prelude for professional development. As such, their focus on achieving personal and professional goals becomes paramount and restrictive. After fulfilling their objectives, these foreign students return to their native countries without appreciating establishment of bonds and affiliations to friends, colleagues, and acquaintances.
Overall, despite the arguments justifying stereotyping of international students, the fact that universities have promoted ideals of equality and diversity affirm its supreme benefits on a macro-scale. To prevent stereotyping, academic leaders should incorporate sanctions in the university’s code of discipline when gross violations of the academic principle has been reported.
Sanctions could range from warning, reprimand, suspension, to expulsion, depending on the frequency and severity of the violation. The decision makers should be able to assess the impact that stereotyping inflicts to foreign students. Excessive isolation, prejudice, or discrimination felt by foreign students due to stereotyping could result in diminished enrollment and financial losses. In addition, any negative feedback coming from foreign students would be spread to their fellow students and create a negative impact on the image of the university.
In sum, by virtue of its definition, stereotyping of international students is inappropriate due to the apparent oversimplification or generalization of beliefs that could be totally unfounded or unsubstantiated. As such, the university should upload the principles of equality and diversity and signify its commitment to this adherence, as duly required.