Research on professional practice: internationalization of university campuses and its formative impact on the development of intercultural competences among professionals

摘要

Recently, internationalization is high on the agendas of national governments,international bodies and institutions of higher education. Huge economic and humanresources are involved in internationalization efforts, without real knowledge ofwhat exactly its impact is. The purpose of this study is to describe, analyze and reflecton different actions of campus-based internationalization and research carried out attwo Norwegian colleges (Akershus and Oslo University Colleges) and at a SpanishInternational Projects Office OFPI (Granada University), as well as to see its impact onthe development of intercultural competence among participants. Our study case usesthe process and competences development approach to internationalization. It involves amulti-method design: qualitative ethnographic study with retroductive and inductivestrategies based on institutional document analysis, informal interviews, participativeobservation, field notes, internship diary, photograph analysis and is complemented byquantitative study (questionnaire).These research instruments were applied on different levels of the campuses populationin order to reach exhaustive comprehension of the subjects being studied: the keypeople responsible for planning policy and implementation of IHE (Norwegiancampuses) and internationalization of research (Spanish campus) on the three campuses,international offices, professors, campus services, domestic and international students.Participative observation (as an international student and member of management ofinternationalization efforts) was carried out during the academic and internship periodsin both countries. A questionnaire was also applied among participants of internationalresearch projects (IRP) managed by OFPI.Data collection and analysis were implemented from administrative practitioner(management) and pedagogic point of view. The Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunitiesand Threats of each campus internationalization strategy were presented. Comparativeperspective of IHE and research internationalization, considering national andorganizational culture influence on strategy implementation in our study contexts wasalso discussed.Our study reveals that campus culture is shaped by a planned internationalizationstrategy as well as unplanned factors such as the dimension of national andorganizational culture. The reflection on strengths, weaknesses, opportunities andthreats of the internationalization strategy helps in the innovation process. Academicand administrative staff with a well-developed IC is an indispensable pillar ofinternational campuses. A well-planned IaH provides an opportunity for thedevelopment of interculturally-aware citizens and professionals and furthermoredecreases cultural shock among overseas guests. The ownership of aninternationalization initiative shared by the whole campus staff is the most relevantstrength of the internationalization strategy. The mix of international and domesticstudents still is a big challenge for international educators and administrators. The lackof IC among campus staff, domestic and international students, and the repetition ofstereotypes interfere in these groups’ interaction. Participation in IRP helps in thedevelopment of IC but not in a scale expected. Researcher much more improved theirIC through cooperation in IRP than administrators and men more than women. Allthese factors can influence the performance of IaH and IRP as well as intercultural andinternational cooperation in HE. In order to innovate university campus throughinternationalization strategy focus on intercultural training of the campus staff is desire