According to a couple of articles I’ve read, internationalization in higher ed is seen as a positive. However, not many educators can provide a substantial amount of data to support WHY it is so positive. The International Association of Universities (IAU) releases an annual report called the Global Survey Report on Internationalization in Higher Education. From their most current report released, the following have been noted as the top reasons or the importance for internationalization.
“Worldwide, the top five reasons for internationalizing an institution are, in order of importance, to improve student preparedness; internationalize the curriculum; enhance the international profile of the institution; strengthen research and knowledge production; and diversify its faculty and staff.”
Maybe I’m a wee bit bias and I haven’t been in the industry that long, but I get rather annoyed that higher education loves the idea of diversity. They love the idea of bringing in as many international students as possible. But why? I don’t see the reasoning behind American institutions desire for international students beyond the want to build up their industry. More international students = more money for the institution. In his article “Wanted: Foreign Students,”Schacter (2007) explains that “These students and their families contribute more than $13 billion a year to the American economy, much of it in the form of tuition“. If I felt institutions wanted to promote diversity for the sake of internationalization and not JUST because monies from foreign students bring in big bucks for the economy, I wouldn’t have such an issue.
So…here is my own personal reasoning for the importance of internationalization.
It is in all of our best interest to recognize that our world is becoming smaller. No, not smaller in the sense that there are less people on the surface of the earth, but smaller in the fact that our communication abilities are faster and increasingly globalized. I get that I grew up overseas, but I NEVER thought I would hear from or speak to the majority of my international friends again once I moved state-side. Facebook has opened a door of communication and allowed me to keep in contact with my childhood friends who are now spread far and wide across the world!
Due to the fact that our world is becoming smaller, and the fact that all cultures share one thing in common – this earth – why wouldn’t it be in our best interest to learn to interact with those from around the world? Why wouldn’t it be in our best interest to open our minds to differences?
This is where being a TCK has given me bounds and leaps of opportunities to interact, learn to understand, and appreciate differences across the nations. I am still learning and I hope to never stop learning!! I love the idea of internationalization. I just hope American universities want to incorporate their idea for the right reasons and not just for monetary gains. It will take time and it will take effort. I hope to become part of the learning process for these universities, though.
