Practice, problems and power in ‘internationalisation at home’: critical reflections on recent research evidence

Abstract

In a period when international flows of higher education students are rapidly increasing and diversifying, this paper reviews recent research evidence about the experiences of ‘home’ students – those who are not mobile and study in their home nation. This is situated within the concept of ‘internationalisation at home’, which asserts that these students should also receive an international educational experience: through interaction with international students, curriculum development and new pedagogic approaches. However, the evidence to date suggests that this is considerably more problematic than might be imagined. For example, home students across the world are often found to resist intercultural group work and generally to avoid contact with their international peers, leading to concerns about unequal access to transformative experiences and powerful knowledge. The conflict between ‘global worker’ and ‘global citizen’ approaches to internationalisation is discussed, as well as the increasingly hegemonic role of English.

Keywords:

• globalisation
• group work
• curriculum development
• homophily
• staff development

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Erratum

Acknowledgements

The author would like to gratefully acknowledge the contribution of Charlotte Murray to the literature search that underpins this paper, as well as extending his thanks to several colleagues and reviewers who have commented on earlier drafts.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.