Charting a New Course Toward Sustainable Internationalization

In my estimation, few things contribute more to fostering global peace and cross-cultural understanding than international education and scholarly exchange. As such, the dedication of my colleagues and peers to student service, well-being, and educational experience has been a regular source of inspiration and encouragement for me throughout the pandemic.

Despite the stress induced by ambiguous “guidance,” regulatory inconsistency, last-minute changes, long hours, and teaching students simultaneously located on several continents, international education professionals have remained poised in the face of adversity. In addition, they have invariably acquired new skills and refined old ones. This updated and expanded skill set will remain invaluable as the demand for synchronous delivery of degree programs and other offerings, like remote advising and internships, continues to grow and move in new directions. (Can you say, “Metaverse?”)

Dedication and Persistence in the Face of Challenges

Although I experienced an employment transition mid-year, for much of the pandemic my work has included leadership of an academic unit responsible for intensive English instruction at a large state university. As with universities at-large, one of the greatest challenges faced in 2021 for English language programs in the United States was precarious fiscal health.

A high percentage of university- and college-governed programs in the United States report operating under a decentralized funding model that requires direct revenue generation through tuition and fees. Much like private enterprises, they must operate as financially self-sustaining units. As such, their ability to remain operational is directly linked to international student mobility. Enrollments in