Nami Jinda

Master’s universities in the U.S. typically prioritize vocational education over liberal arts education and often allocate less emphasis to internationalization strategies. However, some universities are actively working toward internationalization. In this study, faculty and staff responsible for international students at four master’s universities, each with distinct histories, policies, and international student populations, were interviewed to explore the differences in their perceptions regarding international students. The examination focused on understanding the rationale behind the internationalization efforts of these universities. The findings revealed discernible differences in faculty and staff perceptions regarding internationalization at the four universities offering insights into the diverse rationales for the internationalization of universities. Two patterns of internationalization were found: “Isomorphism to successful organizations” and “concentration on the accumulation of academic backgrounds and qualifications necessary for individual students.” The results of this study indicate the potential for revisiting Knight’s rationale by proposing an approach toward internationalization that differs from the conventional perspectives outlined in the existing rationale.