| dc.description.abstract | Recently, internationalization is high on the agendas of national governments,
international bodies and institutions of higher education. Huge economic and human
resources are involved in internationalization efforts, without real knowledge of
what exactly its impact is. The purpose of this study is to describe, analyze and reflect
on different actions of campus-based internationalization and research carried out at
two Norwegian colleges (Akershus and Oslo University Colleges) and at a Spanish
International Projects Office OFPI (Granada University), as well as to see its impact on
the development of intercultural competence among participants. Our study case uses
the process and competences development approach to internationalization. It involves a
multi-method design: qualitative ethnographic study with retroductive and inductive
strategies based on institutional document analysis, informal interviews, participative
observation, field notes, internship diary, photograph analysis and is complemented by
quantitative study (questionnaire).
These research instruments were applied on different levels of the campuses population
in order to reach exhaustive comprehension of the subjects being studied: the key
people responsible for planning policy and implementation of IHE (Norwegian
campuses) 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 of
internationalization efforts) was carried out during the academic and internship periods
in both countries. A questionnaire was also applied among participants of international
research projects (IRP) managed by OFPI.
Data collection and analysis were implemented from administrative practitioner
(management) and pedagogic point of view. The Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities
and Threats of each campus internationalization strategy were presented. Comparative
perspective of IHE and research internationalization, considering national and
organizational culture influence on strategy implementation in our study contexts was
also discussed.
Our study reveals that campus culture is shaped by a planned internationalization
strategy as well as unplanned factors such as the dimension of national and
organizational culture. The reflection on strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and
threats of the internationalization strategy helps in the innovation process. Academic
and administrative staff with a well-developed IC is an indispensable pillar of
international campuses. A well-planned IaH provides an opportunity for the
development of interculturally-aware citizens and professionals and furthermore
decreases cultural shock among overseas guests. The ownership of an
internationalization initiative shared by the whole campus staff is the most relevant
strength of the internationalization strategy. The mix of international and domestic
students still is a big challenge for international educators and administrators. The lack
of IC among campus staff, domestic and international students, and the repetition of
stereotypes interfere in these groups’ interaction. Participation in IRP helps in the
development of IC but not in a scale expected. Researcher much more improved their
IC through cooperation in IRP than administrators and men more than women. All
these factors can influence the performance of IaH and IRP as well as intercultural and
international cooperation in HE. In order to innovate university campus through
internationalization strategy focus on intercultural training of the campus staff is desire | en_US |
