From Milan to Murmansk -- Lisbon to Lake Louise: Conceptualizing the Meaning of Internationalization in Higher Education
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| Title: | From Milan to Murmansk -- Lisbon to Lake Louise: Conceptualizing the Meaning of Internationalization in Higher Education |
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| Language: | English |
| Authors: | May-Kristin Vespestad |
| Source: | Journal of Comparative and International Higher Education. 2026 18(1):115-138. |
| Availability: | Journal of Comparative and International Higher Education. 3107 B Hampton Highway, Yorktown, VA 23693. e-mail: oic213@lehigh.edu; Web site: https://digitalcommons.lib.uconn.edu/jcihe/ |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 26 |
| Publication Date: | 2026 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Research |
| Education Level: | Higher Education Postsecondary Education |
| Descriptors: | Global Approach, Higher Education, Sustainability, Student Mobility, Resilience (Psychology), Foreign Countries, Researchers, College Faculty, Foreign Nationals |
| Geographic Terms: | Florida, Portugal (Lisbon), Norway, Italy (Milan), France, Denmark, Canada, Finland, Portugal, Italy, Serbia, Russia |
| ISSN: | 2151-0393 2151-0407 |
| Abstract: | Internationalization is an academic goal and quality measure in higher education, driven by governmental policies and target numbers of mobility, where quantitative measures are the norm. Discussions of what internationalization means and why it is regarded as important need further conceptualization in a higher education context. This is the first longitudinal autoethnography to discuss the meaning of internationalization. The present study makes noteworthy contributions to international higher education literature and practice. Based on the conceptual framework of value co-creation and consumer value theory, the study offers a conceptualization of internationalization. It establishes that internationalization cannot be driven by quantitative measures alone. Together these results provide important insight into what constitutes sustainability and resilience in higher education internationalization strategies. The study also proposes that internationalization relies on academics' commitment and curiosity to engage in international value co-creation. Internationalization can only reach its full potential in higher education if its meaning is embedded in academic culture. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2026 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1506734 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | Internationalization is an academic goal and quality measure in higher education, driven by governmental policies and target numbers of mobility, where quantitative measures are the norm. Discussions of what internationalization means and why it is regarded as important need further conceptualization in a higher education context. This is the first longitudinal autoethnography to discuss the meaning of internationalization. The present study makes noteworthy contributions to international higher education literature and practice. Based on the conceptual framework of value co-creation and consumer value theory, the study offers a conceptualization of internationalization. It establishes that internationalization cannot be driven by quantitative measures alone. Together these results provide important insight into what constitutes sustainability and resilience in higher education internationalization strategies. The study also proposes that internationalization relies on academics' commitment and curiosity to engage in international value co-creation. Internationalization can only reach its full potential in higher education if its meaning is embedded in academic culture. |
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| ISSN: | 2151-0393 2151-0407 |
