Criterios para internacionalizar el currículum universitario

Abstract

This article originated in a survey of documentation and bibliography carried out in 2010 at the Academic Evaluation Center of the Universidad de Costa Rica, around the topic of internationalization in higher education. Additionally, several persons in the university, who are related to this topic, were interviewed, and experiences of the authors were analyzed and considered. On this basis, this article proposes criteria for the internationalization of university curricula. It assumes that the internationalization process should be a part of regular university planning and should be informed by a critical perspective. It argues that the flexibilization of academic curricula should be an essential element for contemporary university planning, as it implies a favorable attitude towards change and innovation. The proposed criteria are framed within the ongoing internationalization of universities in the context of contemporary globalization. According to this proposal, the internationalization process should start with a reflection at each academic unit regarding how and in what way the profession and its future practitioners could benefit from internationalization. Finally, the article identifies social and cultural factors that may help foster a shift towards a more internationally-oriented curriculum