The Current Status of Internationalization at Home in Chinese Higher Education Institutions

Abstract

Internationalization at Home (IaH) has garnered widespread adoption and extensive scrutiny globally. To deepen the understanding of cross-cultural dynamics and operational principles, this study delves into the current status of IaH in China. Drawing from 35 case studies, the research confirms some cross-cultural elements of IaH while uncovering new insights. These include diversifying internal motivations, a promotion strategy that prioritizes the integration of high-quality foreign resources, and the internationalization of the curriculum (IoC) with local features. Since China’s IaH is still in its nascent stage and some misconceptions persist, it is not immune to certain inherent limitations, such as the oversight of the original goal of nurturing global citizenship, path dependence on learning from Western countries, and the limited benefit coverage due to the fragmented approach of IoC. However, such shortcomings are not unique to China but are also prevalent in other contexts. Considering IaH as an aspirational goal or a guiding philosophy rather than a static state might be more appropriate. Additionally, China’s emphasis on leveraging the strengths of developed countries may suggest a practical IaH pattern for developing countries. When exploring the principles of IaH, it is necessary to fully consider the disparities in developmental paths caused by different levels of higher education development.