Rationales for the Internationalization of Higher Education: Bridging the Disconnect Between Strategy and Practice

Abstract

In this paper we address the gap in understanding how rationales for internationalization at the individual micro-level align or not with the strategies adopted at the organizational macro-level. By capturing the ‘why's’ inherent in existing macro-level and micro-level rationales for internationalization, we offer insights into gaps, mismatches, and commonalities from different perspectives. Hence, we re-envision internationalization rationales by aligning narratives that capture the involvement of all contributors. We present a resultant holistic rationales framework that bridges existing disconnect between policy and practice, and underpins recommendations for achieving inclusive and transformational internationalization for institutions and individuals.