How Do We Define International Openmindedness?

[Calm, welcoming tone] (Take deep breath) As the world keeps changing, people are becoming more and more 'international.'

We accept ideas, behaviors, and choices that would’ve been (linger) completely unthinkable just a few decades ago. [Pause – raise eyebrows]

Generally, that’s great — people feel freer to be themselves, especially when those around them offer support and acceptance. [Gesture: open arms]

[Shift tone – slightly skeptical] But here’s the twist: sometimes this open-mindedness can go a little... too far. (Kinda like money gesture, or salt bae)

With social media, we’re constantly exposed to people who are completely different from us. And instead of thinking critically, (don’t go too fast) we often try to accept *everything* — instantly. (No brackets, read coherently)

[Lean forward] But when we accept everything without thinking, we risk losing our ability to reflect, to question — and sometimes, to respect those with more traditional views. (Walk, counting fingers)

[Slight smile] In fact, we may even start looking down on people who *don’t* change.

We’ve reached a point where people aren’t just embracing the new — they’re attacking the old.

[Serious tone] This has created a lot of division online. A Pew Research study showed that nearly 6 in 10 teens say they’ve experienced online arguments about values and identity. Probably more than we thought, isn’t it?

People say they're open-minded — but if you disagree with the 'trend,' [Gesture: air quotes] you're suddenly narrow-minded, conservative, or just plain wrong.

[Shift tone – personal] As a student, I see this in real life too. My classmates and I grew up in international schools — with our parents having the dream of blending the best of both Chinese and foreign values.

[Pause – thoughtful] But no one ever told us what that balance should look like. How much of your culture do you keep? How much do you change? (Don’t go too fast)

[Smile, lighter tone] Let me start with a small example from 7th grade — and yes, it’s a little embarrassing.

I watched a video that said joking with friends could help them feel better when they’re upset. Well, it made sense!

So after a friend got a bad grade, I tried to joke with her — you know, to lighten the mood.

[Pause – raise eyebrows] It did *not* go well. She was really, really mad at me.

Turns out, 'comfort through humor' doesn’t always translate across cultures... or test scores.

[Shift tone – more serious] But, that was harmless. What’s harder is seeing peers try to adopt *everything* they see online — without a single thought about it.

Some students I know started smoking, getting tattoos, or engaging in serious relationships pretty early — not because they believed in it, but because they saw it online and thought, 'Hey, so this is what people do these days.’

[Tone: questioning] But is it? Or is it just one version of what’s out there?

[Calm, reflective tone] Open-mindedness should be about learning and growing — *not* blindly copying. [Gesture: hand to heart] But too often, people confuse being accepting with being uncritical.

And students, especially younger ones, can be vulnerable. We want to fit in. We want to seem modern. But without guidance, we don’t always know where to draw the line.

[Insert quote – slower tone] As the philosopher G.K. Chesterton once said, 'Merely having an open mind is nothing. The object of opening the mind, as of opening the mouth, is to close it again on something solid.'

[Nod slightly] True open-mindedness means thinking deeply — not just agreeing automatically.

[Offer specific actions – steady tone] So what can we do?

To start off, talk with your friends about this. If you see something online that feels a bit off, ask them what they think — not for them to judge, but for understanding together.

The next thing you can do is to create your own ‘filter system’ — a set of values or questions to ask before accepting any new trend or idea. (Pause) For example: Does this idea hurt anyone? Is it something I do believe in, or am I just trying to fit in?

[Suggest solution – friendly tone] Let’s stop using open-mindedness as a buzzword, but start using it as a way of thinking.

Let’s teach students how to explore new ideas — and at the same time, how to ask tough questions, how to disagree respectfully, and how to reflect before reacting.

[Smile, closing tone] Because (pause)open-mindedness isn’t about changing who you are. (Gentle?)

It’s about becoming someone who listens, learns, and thinks for themselves — no matter what is trending on the internet today.

[Pause – eye contact across audience] Thank you.