Diffusion of Internationalization in Turkish Higher Education

Administrators in institutions of higher education in Turkey are discussing the innovative concept of internationalization-a term historically associated with specific international programs and student exchanges. Today, it has a broader meaning related to strategic initiatives for global effectiveness. This article summarizes the findings of a comparative case study of the diffusion of internationalization at two universities located in Ankara, Turkey, using triangulated data gathering techniques; it also suggests a synthesized definition of internationalization (often confused with globalization and carries a negative connotation for some) based on the work of leading researchers of internationalization with an emphasis on the need for international interdependence, which institutions of higher learning in Turkey need to remain relevant in today's global context.