The Promising Practices of Glocalization in Canadian Higher Education

Year 2019, Volume: 5 Issue: 10, 10 - 38, 30.04.2019

Hasan Kettaneh , Victoria Handford

Abstract

This paper
explores the potential impacts that glocalization, the combination of the
‘global’ and the ‘local’, can have on international student retention in
Canadian higher education by identifying
the promising practices of glocalization in university teaching and in the broader
learning environment. Using Critical Incident Technique, data was
collected through semi-structured interviews of 16 international students at a
medium-sized, research-oriented university in British Columbia, Canada. Results
were consistent with the literature investigating international student
retention and glocalization. Twelve
promising practices related to university teaching and learning emerged from
the analysis. These were categorized into four overarching themes: a) pedagogy,
b) policies and procedures, c) learning environment, and d) curriculum. Results
suggest that glocalization offers unique platforms for mutual understanding of
needs, problems, and solutions, serving as a bridge between international
students and the different stakeholders who are willing and able to “think
globally and act locally.” 

Keywords

Glocalization, retention, international students, Critical Incident Technique, higher education, promising practices

The Promising Practices of Glocalization in Canadian Higher Education

Abstract

This paper explores the potential impacts that glocalization, the combination of the ‘global’ and the ‘local’, can have on international student retention in Canadian higher education by identifying the promising practices of glocalization in university teaching and in the broader learning environment. Using Critical Incident Technique, data was collected through semi-structured interviews of 16 international students at a medium-sized, research-oriented university in British Columbia, Canada. Results were consistent with the literature investigating international student retention and glocalization. Twelve promising practices related to university teaching and learning emerged from the analysis. These were categorized into four overarching themes: a) pedagogy, b) policies and procedures, c) learning environment, and d) curriculum. Results suggest that glocalization offers unique platforms for mutual understanding of needs, problems, and solutions, serving as a bridge between international students and the different stakeholders who are willing and able to “think globally and act locally.” 

Keywords

Glocalization, retention, international students, Critical Incident Technique, higher education, promising practices

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