Universities’ Expectations for Study-Abroad Programs Fostering Internationalization: Educational Policies

Abstract

Because internationalization in higher education has recently received significant attention within the context of globalization, universities in Japan have begun to develop study-abroad programs to support their students in gaining international experience. This article explores those university policies designed to support the internationalization of higher education through mandatory study-abroad programs. An analysis is conducted of the educational policies of these universities based on a review of their admission, curriculum, and degree-awarding policies. The findings are as follows: First, it is unclear how study-abroad programs provide students with opportunities to attain knowledge and skills. Second, universities that face the same challenge to cultivate global citizenship through study abroad should review their educational content to determine whether students are achieving the goals set in their policies. Universities should realize the importance of study abroad in terms of providing opportunities through which students can achieve their education goals.

Delivering a Multi-Institutional Short-Term Faculty-Led Paralympic Study Abroad Program: The PyeongChang 2018 Paralympic Winter Games

“…While it is possible to help students in gaining international awareness and the capability to work within global settings via traditional classroom experiences, the curriculum content itself is limiting (de Haan & Sherry, 2012). As such, study abroad programs offered by higher education institutions may provide the opportunities to prepare students in building the skillsets for these young individuals to advance into the global workforce (Fox & McIntyre, 2019;Take & Shoraku, 2018;Vandermaas-Peeler et al, 2018). Currently, with the increased number of students participating in study abroad trips, much work is needed from scholars that describe the hands-on guides and recommendations for starting and managing a study abroad program, especially SF-SAPs (Landorf, 2017).…”

The Relationship between Sustainable Internationalization Strategies and Qualification Alignments to National Qualification Framework

“…In this context, (Take, H., & Shoraku, A. 2018) [29] highlighted that HEIs must consider all aspects while considering internationalization, one of which could be related to the context and regulatory requirements.…”

An online international pharmacy summer course during the COVID-19 pandemic

“…It is also likely that these opportunities will be enhanced by networking among students and faculty during an overseas educational experience. The value to universities of study-abroad programmes lies in internationalisation of education (Take & Shoraku, 2017) and research collaboration (Giedt et al, 2015). Faculty motivation and job satisfaction may also be influenced by transnational teaching (Toohey et al, 2017).…”