EDUCATION BETWEEN THE GLOBAL AND THE LOCAL: THE PROBLEM OF PRESERVING THE CULTURAL IDENTITY OF INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

Abstract

The article presents an interdisciplinary study of the problem of preserving the cultural identity of international students in the conditions of a globalized educational space, taking into account the democratic principles that shape a modern university. The focus is on the challenges that students face when adapting to new cultural norms and educational standards, as well as the role of the philosophy of education in harmonizing the universal and the local. The author considers the university an academic center and a "cultural hub" where different values, orientations, and worldviews can coexist and interact. Particular attention is paid to education's democratization, which involves students' active involvement in the decision-making process, collective formation of the content of educational programs, and adherence to the principles of equality of cultures. Different scientific approaches to the study of democratic values are compared, and the importance of diversity as a factor in developing civic consciousness is revealed. Education built on democratic principles allows international students to integrate qualitatively into the academic environment and maintain a connection with their national traditions and identity.The work emphasizes the importance of critical reflection on the consequences of globalization for universities since excessive unification can lead to the loss of the diversity of the cultural landscape. The analysis of philosophical concepts allows us to reveal how the harmonious combination of cultural monuments of the past and innovative pedagogical strategies contributes to the formation of a higher education institution that is open to global trends but, at the same time, able to appreciate local features. As a result, the author concludes that for the effective integration of international students and preserving their cultural identity, it is necessary to introduce holistic approaches to forming a democratic culture at the university. The philosophy of education plays a unique role in this, which helps to see in education not just a mechanism for transferring knowledge but also a space for understanding between different national and cultural communities, the formation of civic virtues, and the participation of young people in social changes.