This reading starts out continuing the themes of the first half of the document and defining different types of internationalization policies. It describes comprehensive internationalization strategies including internationalization at home which widens the outputs and impact of international education. These strategies go beyond a singular focus on exchange and embrace a multi-faceted approach including creating partnerships and being prepared to welcome international students on many different levels.
The reading goes on to explain the difficulties in measuring the effectiveness of internationalization policies and concludes by examining factors that affect a policy’s success. One part that I thought was really interesting was the fact that most policies focus on student mobility rather than scholar mobility. The article made a good argument for the investment in and promotion of scholar exchanges. For example, scholars usually stay at an institution for a longer time than students. They also have the ability to impact hundreds or thousands of students through introducing new course material, sharing their firsthand cultural experiences, and promoting international study and travel. Whereas students have a profound personal experience, professors can produce long-term direct and indirect impacts leading by example.
I am sure that policymakers are aware of the multiplier effect of scholar exchanges, so it got me thinking why so many programs focus on students. As the article mentioned, funding is one of the main determinants of success of an exchange program. Students may have a greater need for funding than established scholars. Researchers could receive funding for a project they are working on abroad. Professors may have the option to do a sabbatical abroad and still receive their full or partial salary. In other words, scholars have more funding options for international exchanges that are outside of policies created by national governments, regional entities, and nongovernmental organizations. Additionally, there are more students than scholars, so it makes sense that there are more programs aimed at them. It would be interesting to see the percentage of students compared with the percentage of scholars that benefit from these internationalization policies.
There are numerous benefits to investing in student exchanges. Traditionally aged students are at an age when they are often open to learning about different ways of life. World Education Program, Australia states such individual benefits to students as increased acceptance and understanding, language skills, problem solving skills, personal growth and development, and interest in global issues (WEP 2016). Although these can be personal gains, they are also attributes that create globally minded citizens that will go on to help society as a whole.
Focusing mostly on public diplomacy, the Fact Sheet released by the American Security Project, “Academic Exchange: A Pillar of American Public Diplomacy,” (2013) notes that government funded student changes are a crucial aspect of the US’s long-term, strategic relations with other countries. It notes, “50 percent of the world’s population is younger than 30, constituting a significant potential audience. Building relationships with youth through exchange may pay dividends for the U.S. decades down the line as they assume leadership roles in their countries” (Trost and Wallin p 6). The authors note that alumni of international exchange programs go on to hold leadership positions in their home governments and win Nobel Peace Prizes. Although scholars can reach a wide audience, student exchange represents an investment in human capital for long-term benefits. Both student and scholar exchanges are crucial to comprehensive, multi-faceted internationalization policies.
Sources:
Trost, K. and Wallin, M. (2013). Academic exchange: A pillar of American public diplomacy. American Security Project. Retrieved from: https://americansecurityproject.org/ASP%20Reports/Ref%200135%20-%20Academic%20Exchange%20-%20A%20Pillar%20of%20American%20Public%20Diplomacy.pdf.
WEP. (2016). Benefits of student exchange. World Education Program, Australia. Retrieved from: https://wep.org.au/student-exchange/benefits-of-student-exchange/.