Page 16 - Movers, Shapers, and Everything in Between: Influencers of the International Student Experience
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Chapter 1
requirements of the knowledge economy and the end of the Cold War, created a context that enabled a more strategic approach to internationalization in higher education” (p. 28).
Governments and institutions that embraced earlier approaches did not necessarily value giving back to the societies and institutions that helped them succeed. Leask and de Gayardon (2021) argue that this sometimes led to higher education systems being “supported by the most powerful national and supranational governments (predominantly, but not only in the Global North) seeking the best outcome for their economies with little attention to the bigger picture or the possibilities of advancing the global common good through the internationalization of higher education for society” (p. 324).
To broaden the focus of IoHE and consider the purpose, functions, and delivery of higher education, a better understanding of the system’s key stakeholders—particularly international students—is needed. Miliszewska and Sztendur (2012) point out that students are the “ultimate insiders and experts” on the student experience, but their voices are missing from most studies in this area (p. 12). After understanding the reasons why a university admits international students in the first place, data collected from students themselves can be an important component of effective IoHE strategies and initiatives. To describe their experiences, students need to explain not only “what” they experienced, but also “how” they experienced it. Used effectively, student data can enable universities to integrate international, intercultural, and global dimensions into education that improve the quality of education for all students and contribute positively to society.
The research in this dissertation is a milestone in this endeavor. It explores the experiences of international students and what shapes them, allowing for a deeper and more holistic understanding of how international students contribute to society and to the quality of education for students and staff. The following subsections summarize existing research on the benefits that international students bring to





























































































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