Science Without Borders’ Contributions to Internationalization of Brazilian Higher Education

Abstract

The Science Without Borders (SWB) program is Brazil’s major international education initiative. Begun in 2011, the SWB program is a government-funded initiative that encourages Brazilian universities to structure international relations offices and make international education experiences accessible to Brazilian students. However, its initial stages were marked by problems. First, the author’s analysis focuses on the history of SWB’s implementation and pivotal moments in the program’s evolution with the objective of analyzing the available program data, balancing it with the author’s experience in managing international programs. In sequence, the author examines the key learning points from two international programs—European Union (EU) Erasmus Program and the U.S. 100,000 Strong initiative—with the objective of analyzing some of the best practices that could have assisted the SWB program in its initial implementation phase and in its future plans. Last, the author presents an analysis with key learning points on internationalization of higher education with the objective of analyzing the growing complexity in international education policies and the necessity of improvements in the current Brazilian strategy for internationalization. The author proposes that to ensure the SWB program’s efficacy, an independent evaluation and enhanced connection between Brazilian international education initiatives and the country’s foreign policy will be necessary. Sustainability of the program and Brazil’s international education policies will necessitate additional efforts including cross-border education, comprehensive internationalization, and internationalization at home strategies. In summary, the author presents recommendations to policymakers, scholars, and practitioners regarding transforming the SWB program into an international education national policy.