Internationalization of Higher Education in Brazil and in Chile: models for partial adoption of international norms

Abstract

This study compares how two programmes, Ciência Sem Fronteiras (Science Without Borders) in Brazil and Becas Chile (Chile Grants) in Chile, match up to the OECD, UNESCO and World Bank guidelines for the internationalization of higher education. Brazil has a centralized the higher education system, and Ciência Sem Fronteiras incorporates elements endorsed by international organizations. Chile traditionally follows political models created externally, however Becas Chile is an example of a publicly financed programme. The guidelines of the International Organizations are partially implemented by both States. The partial implementation is achieved by bringing pre-existing local norms into line with international norms, finding common ground to create new norms and practices with important influence by local actors. Domestic higher education structures influence the internationalization process in the two countries.