International Brazilian Students: Motivators, Barriers, and Facilitators in Higher Education

Abstract

International students have an increasing economic and cultural impact: In 2011 there were 4.3 million international students around the globe, and this number is expected to exceed 8 million by 2025. From this scenario, this article aims to discern the main barriers, facilitators, and motivators for the internationalization of students. In-depth interviews were conducted with 17 international students at different academic levels. The results indicate that the barriers to internationalization are intrinsic and extrinsic to individuals. The main facilitators of internationalization were networking training and access to student resources; and the main motivators were personal development and career opportunities. Therefore, this article brings three main contributions: (a) academically vis-à-vis the theme, (b) managerially, for institutions, and (c) for students, especially those at the master’s and PhD level. Findings from Brazilian students may also apply to different academic contexts, especially those from emerging countries.

A Comprehensive Approach to Transformative Experiences in Academic Tourism

“…Thus, this study reveals that academic tourists aim mainly to achieve personal growth, educational and professional development, and enhanced quality of life. Previous studies (do Amaral et al, 2022; Ürer Erdil et al, 2021; Wolf et al, 2017) have shown that these aspirations are supported by desires to grow as individuals, gain independence, experience new cultures and travel, acquire new knowledge and skills, and expand job opportunities. Additionally, academic tourists value the opportunity to experience different styles of education and enhance the value of their degrees, as documented in previous studies (Amaro et al, 2019; Maringe & Carter, 2007; Wilkins et al, 2012).…”

Collaborative online international learning for design education: A framework for studio-based learning

“…However, participating in this type of international engagement was not an option for many students despite the lack of travel restrictions. For instance, Brazilian higher education students have identified that financial status, language fluency and mental state are vital factors hindering their participation in international experiences (do Amaral et al 2022).…”

“…Similarly, Australian university students stated that they can face financial barriers and have concerns about personal and professional commitments and security (Jones et al 2016). In both cases, the potential for increased employability and personal growth are some of the key motivators for students to seek opportunities to participate in international experiences (Forsey et al 2012;Jones et al 2016;do Amaral et al 2022). Taking into account the barriers of mobility programmes identified in previous research, the adoption of digital tools has an equalizing effect and provides a more accessible form of knowledge transfer (de la Garza and Maher 2022).…”