International Education Exchanges and Intercultural Understanding

This volume examines the complex role of international education exchange in promoting peace and intercultural understanding. The perception that international education encourages greater understanding and cooperation between, people, cultures, and nations continues to drive participation and resources to this growing sector.  With thought-provoking theoretical discussions and a broad range of case studies, this volume provides a much needed critical exploration of the ways in which international education exchanges may impact individuals as well as broader issues of global peace and development.

• education exchange
• cultural understanding
• international education
• peace and conflict studies
• education policy

“This collection provides an excellent response to the unjustified lack of attention for educational exchange as a subject of research in the fields of international relations and public diplomacy. The essays in this book critically examine the added value of organized exchange from political, cultural, economic, and educational perspectives, and demonstrate the increasing importance of cross-border inter-cultural interaction in the twenty-first century. A valuable book for a research field still taking shape in its own right.” (Giles Scott-Smith, Ernst van der Beugel Chair in the History of Transatlantic Diplomatic Relations since World War II, Leiden University, Netherlands)

“International Educational Exchange and Study Abroad are generally perceived as stimulating factors for peace and mutual understanding, but its if and how are little studied. The book provides valuable introductions as well as original cases studies and brings the discussion on this topic a step further during a period in which peace and mutual understanding are under serious threat worldwide.” (Hans de Wit, Director, Center for International Higher Education, Boston College, USA)

“This book brings together educators with diverse backgrounds to suggest how language policy and the exchange of individuals can become powerful tools to promote intercultural understanding and peace through the internationalization of higher education. In that sense, policy-makers, educators, and administrators are highly recommended to read this volume as it contains important implications for curriculum change and improvement.” (Hanife Akar, Associate Professor in Educational Sciences, Middle East Technical University, Turkey) 

• Bilkent University, Ankara, Turkey

  Julie Mathews-Aydinli

Policies and ethics