Final answer:
The author illustrates that teaching abroad contributes to personal growth by sharing transformative experiences of students, emphasizing skill development and global awareness, and showcasing how such experiences challenge and change one's worldview.
Step-by-step explanation:
The author develops the idea that teaching abroad offers the opportunity for personal growth by presenting a narrative that emphasizes the transformative impact of cross-cultural experiences on students. Through characters like an exchange student or a sociologist who returns with a shifted perspective, the author suggests that living and learning in a foreign context can challenge one's preconceptions and encourage a more global outlook.
Additionally, by highlighting the importance of developing a comparative perspective and recognizing the interdependence of nations, the author reinforces that such experiences contribute to educational excellence and prepare students for informed global citizenship.
Furthermore, in discussing approaches to geography education, the author emphasizes the importance of learning to 'do geography' rather than just learning 'about geography,' suggesting that engaging directly with the subject matter leads to crucial skill development.
The college experience is described as one of personal transformation, equipping students with knowledge and skills to make a unique impact on the world, thereby underscoring the idea that teaching abroad fosters significant personal and academic growth.
Last but not least, by sharing Caitlin's personal journey through her time in Spain, the author provides a tangible example of how facing challenges and stepping outside one's comfort zone leads to lifelong friendships and self-discovery, further cementing the theme of personal growth through teaching abroad.