The Touro College Graduate School of Technology (GST) has become a haven for international students from the far corners of the world who choose to enroll in one of several Masters-level degree programs. They are attracted to Touro College GST because its industry-focused technology curriculum and the close personal attention provided by the faculty. They also thrive on the stimulation of living and studying in New York City, one of the most exciting cities in the world and now home to a booming technology industry.
Nowhere is the rich mix of nationalities more apparent than in the required course Media and Culture, in the Web and Multimedia Design Master of Arts program. According to Professor Jesse Epstein, Chair of the Program and Professor of the course, “This semester, the course includes students from China, Korea, Brazil, and Nigeria, as well as from New York and New Jersey. The students eagerly share insights from their own cultures, which promotes a richly nuanced understanding of the interaction between media and culture on an international scale. It’s a powerful environment for learning that stimulates each student to think critically about his or her cultural assumptions.”
All of the students in the class have responded positively in class discussions. When asked how the cultural differences in the class affect the quality of learning, one student exclaimed, “Diversity? I love it! We are learning that despite our differences, we do speak a universal language." Another added, “It doesn’t matter where you are from. If you are a designer or an IT professional, you are united with your peers by a common outlook. Technology itself is uniting.”
The Media and Culture class is just one example of the cultural cross-fertilization that takes place daily at Touro College Graduate School of Technology. Students consistently work in multi-cultural teams to design websites, produce mobile applications and educational games, and develop animation and video projects. While they are learning the tools and technologies that will propel them to success in the industry, they are also learning the softer 21st century skills of interpersonal communication, problem solving, flexibility, and critical thinking.
For more information on technology programs and resources for students, contact the graduate school at:
Touro College Graduate School of Technology
27-33 West 23rd Street, Room 331
New York, NY 10010
877.669.7227
info.gst@touro.edu
