Facing the Recurring Challenge of Xenophobia

We live in an era of political upheaval in many countries. Among the various political themes swirling in the world today, one of the most pernicious for international education is the return of nationalist, xenophobic rhetoric. In navigating these changing dynamics, a closer examination of the bases of different policies can help educators to focus their efforts. It is critical for anyone working in the field of international education to better understand the background and implications of the current geopolitical environment.

Blasts from competing visions of the future are buffeting international education. As the world faces major changes wrought by globalization, automation, climate change, demographic shifts, and other trends, people look for ways to cope within this new landscape. They make political choices, accept employment options, select academic majors, and make other decisions that are guided by their understandings of their prospects.

These understandings may be based on fundamentally different models of the world, and those different models can shape how policymakers, voters, host families, neighbors, and others see international students and scholars—and international education in general. Yet, the work of international educators forges the bonds and skills that can help people navigate this more turbulent future.

Creating a Better Future Together

The competing visions can be categorized into different models. One such model, the internationalist model, acknowledges these major global disruptions and presents a more integrated world as a solution. In this model, people work together across borders to manage the impact of economic change and to mitigate the effects