Image Source: NY Daily News Online

US First Lady Michelle Obama has stressed the importance of global education by encouraging more students to study abroad.

In a speech delivered at Peking University’s Stanford Centre on Saturday, Mrs. Obama described the study abroad experience as key means of strengthening global ties and promoting cultural tolerance.

‘By learning each other’s languages and by showing such curiosity and respect for each other’s cultures, you are building bridges of understanding that lead to so much more,’ she said, calling study abroad a ‘vital part of our [US] foreign policy.’  

‘When it comes to the defining challenges of our time—whether it’s climate change or economic opportunity or the spread of nuclear weapons—these are shared challenges. And no one country can confront them alone. The only way forward is together.’

Speaking to an audience of 170 students, staff and alumni, Saturday marked the third day of Mrs. Obama’s week-long goodwill tour of China. Calling on institutions to provide more opportunities for students of all backgrounds to study abroad, Mrs. Obama emphasized the importance of overseas study in helping students realize their full potential.

Selected questions submitted through CNN’s interactive iReporter web service were put to Mrs. Obama and answered via a video interview, also on Saturday, as part of CNN’s coverage of the visit. Tackling questions from both teachers and students, Mrs. Obama gave some advice for prospective study abroad students as well as sharing some anecdotes from her own experience.