Page 109 - Movers, Shapers, and Everything in Between: Influencers of the International Student Experience

An indirect effect of the move to online learning may be increased higher education internationalization, defined as “the intentional process of integrating an international, intercultural or global dimension into the purpose, functions and delivery of post-secondary education, in order to enhance the quality of education and research for all students and staff, and to make a meaningful contribution to society” (de Wit et al., 2015). HE internationalization has evolved from being conceptualized as a response to globalization to an intentional process that considers impact on local and global communities (Leask & de Gayardon, 2021). As interviewees noted, the sudden move to online teaching caused academic staff to work together with the intention of delivering high quality education to their diverse student bodies on multiple continents. Virtual academic exchange between campuses, informal online learning between students at different campuses, online social events open to students across campuses, and exchange of best practices in teaching between faculty on different campuses are all examples from the interviews of how the universities are integrating international, intercultural, or global dimensions into education due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
ConCluSionS And limitAtionS
This study offers several takeaways for IBC leaders and academic staff. First, IBCs must find ways to foster a sense of community and belonging that is specific to their campus, and provide support and resources tailored to the needs of their students. Interviewees made clear that an effective replacement for in-person interaction has yet to be found; this is a finding for leaders to take into considering when deciding which aspects of the student experience to offer virtually vs. in person. Additionally, results demonstrate the potential for IBCs to lend versatility to the university in both where and how education is delivered. As necessity is the mother of invention, the COVID-19 pandemic forced IBCs to find new ways to offer education, and as universities reassess their international strategy, IBCs may leverage their location and desirability to play a larger role in the university’s enrollment, recruitment, and mobility initiatives. The increased communication between the IBC and home campus can be used to develop more pathways to—and through—IBCs.
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Effects of COVID-19 on IBCs
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