Effects of higher education internationalization on student learning: Student experiences and perceptions

Effects of higher education internationalization on student learning: Student experiences and perceptions

The purpose of this study was to explore how campus internationalization efforts in higher education impact student learning through the lens of the student’s perspective and experience. Grounded in transformative learning theory and guided by a mixed-methods research design, this study investigated the following research questions: (a) What efforts has a California public university undertaken to promote campus internationalization?, and (b) How have the university’s internationalization efforts impacted student experiences and perspectives about internationalization? Comprehensive desk research on the university’s internationalization efforts, an online survey of a sample of randomly selected university students, and in-person interviews with selected students were conducted. Six major themes emerged from the results regarding the university’s internationalization efforts: student experience with international academic courses, student experience with international programs, student experience with services for international learning, trends in students with international learning experiences, development of new knowledge and shifts in perspective, and shifts in the student’s academic and career paths. The results showed that the university had provided a wide spectrum of opportunities for international, intercultural, and multicultural learning to students through academic courses, programs, campus events, support services, and resources. The results also showed that students with international learning experiences tended to be more aware and appreciative of the university efforts for campus internationalization than those without international learning experiences. Additionally, the results illustrated that campus experiences that included international learning had prompted students to develop various international competencies, rediscover themselves, and build self-confidence. Furthermore, those international experiences influenced students’ academic and career paths. Hence, the study results indicate that it is essential for the university to continue offering a variety of international and multicultural learning opportunities and support so that the university can play an important role in broadening the range of students’ academic interests, career options, and life experiences.

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