The more I read, the more I realize how much of our lives are controlled by policies that are for the interest of others. It appears to me that every policy has an underlining mission to look as if it benefits society, but in reality, the mission of the policy is something completely different. In the reading for this week, Internationalizing Higher Education Worldwide: National Policies and Programs, by ACE, American Council for Education, the author tells us in the introduction that the findings in the report are “just the beginning of the story” (p.3) and that much more is yet to be known on “how and why national policies for internationalization are developed, what they focus on , how they are implemented, and what they yield in terms of impact in the short term and long term “ (pp.3-4). I found this line interesting in regards to the title of the report.
As I read through Hans de Wit four categories of rationale, many of the rationales did not mention the idea that internationalization would benefit students learning outcomes, thus giving them greater success in mobility in their own lives. Although many of the policies do benefit students, the reason the policies were implemented in the first place does not appear to come from the need of the student but rather it comes from the need of the government. For example, within the academic rationale, many countries reported not enough space within their universities for their own students, or they were in need of world class research universities in their country. On the economic front, international tuition was a big driver, both for the university itself and for the community within the student lived. Public diplomacy was a driver in the political arena and global problems were mentioned as the reason on the social/cultural perspective.
I was not surprised to see there were not many programs mentioned for the United States after reading last weeks article, but I was surprised at how many recent programs there are within other countries, both inbound and outbound, when it comes to internationalization. Other countries are leading the way. Even if the programs are all a political move, which addresses a whole other area outside Higher Ed, these countries are doing something that is either directly or indirectly benefitting their students. Why the U.S. is not in the game, is another question that we all should be asking ourselves. Or are they, and we just don’t know about it?

Greetings,

My name is Deb Butler and I too am in my last semester of the Higher Education Administration program. I work as an Administrative Assistant at the front desk at the GCMC (Graduate Career Management Center) in the Zicklin School of Business here at Baruch. I interact with many international students and I have learned a lot from them, which has sparked my interest for this class. I look forward to learning more about the whole process from both sides on all levels.

After reviewing the readings for this week, I have been thinking about the need for the United States to keep up with Internationalization in order to stay in the forefront of being the leader in Higher Education. Although the United States is currently the most popular country for international students to come to, the number is declining as other initiatives are being introduced in several other countries. Globalization is challenging the Higher Education system in the United States. Students from China and India, which account for the majority of international students in America, will have other options as other countries step up Higher Education with programs such as cross border student mobility and academic integration. But the question will remain, will these students remain in their home country or will they continue to come abroad and if they do, what is their real motive. Is it the education they receive in the United States or is it the opportunities they will receive by being educated in the United States. One of the benefits of studying in the United States is securing a job and a work visa to stay here. Will other countries be as inviting? I am guessing it will depend on the job market and opportunities available to students in each country.

Another interesting point from the readings was the research done on the skills students learn from studying abroad and how employers are looking for students with international experience. Employers today want students who are not just educated formerly but who are ready for new challenges and have problem solving ability. These skills can be achieved from studying abroad. The skills one learns from studying abroad cannot be taught in the classroom. They are gained from experience and the experience of studying abroad is more than the academics one receives from studying abroad.

The United States needs to keep up with the globalization of Higher Education from both viewpoints of securing the demand for international students wanting to study here as well as increasing the demand for students wanting to study abroad.