Diversity or meeting the bottom line? The internationalization of higher education

Abstract

This study examined the internationalization of higher education via internationalization at home (IaH) efforts at Central University (CU) using semi-structured interviews with professionals in the Division of Student Affairs and International Student Affairs, and an analysis of illustrative policies and memoranda the past three decades. For the former, I examined the ways in which internationalization at home practices are operationalized at CU as an aspect of comprehensive internationalization. I compared the ways in which the various departments and offices implement campus internationalization (IaH) and connect them to a frameworks for internationalization. Regarding documents, I conducted an in-depth analysis of policies both at the federal level of the United States and at the local level at Central University. The semi-structured interviews explore the definition of internationalization, and the ways in which internationalization is operationalized in both departments. The interview findings were categorized into the following four categories: 1) the evolved understanding of comprehensive internationalization and IaH; 2) the operationalization of comprehensive internationalization through IaH; 3) Internationalization & Economics of Higher Education; and 4) the future of internationalization. These findings along with the document and policy analysis in dialogue with current literature provide a platform for educators around the globe to examine internationalization at their own institutions and as a springboard to navigate the current trends in higher education internationalization moving forward.