In my political science, sociology, and arts studies courses, we often address the questions “what is a global citizen?” and “how can we become global citizens?” However, we do not entertain as much as we should the idea that we are already global citizens having been born into this ever-growing, globalized society. If we are immediately born into this ‘Global Citizenship’, it is no longer an issue of how we as individuals can prepare ourselves for living in the global realm, but more of an issue of how we can use our skills and talents in order to aid in the betterment of the world. In other words, a citizen of the United States of America would not live their life focusing on the requirements for being an American citizen or even a better American citizen for that matter; that would be pointless and redundant. Instead, they would most likely focus on what they can contribute to their nation’s people as a sort of thanksgiving. As John F. Kennedy stated in his inaugural address, “My fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.” Perhaps, since we are global citizens, we should always be thinking about what we can do for our world and not what our world can do for us.

As an international, first-year student attending The University of British Columbia, I have already met individuals from Shanghai to Toronto and everywhere in between. It is evident that our world is interconnected and interdependent and only becoming more and more so as time goes on. With modern technology, it is easier than ever to travel to and make connections with people and places from all corners of the globe. This greatly facilitates and augments the impact someone can have on someone else, even if they are seas apart. However, it still may be difficult to consider changing the world for the better as the slightest bit possible for one person to do. But, if we collectively believe we can make a difference, then we will not have one or two individuals but more than seven billion individuals who are convinced they can make a difference together which dramatically increases our potential for changing the world for the better.