ABSTRACT
Most educators agree on the importance of internationalizing higher education in the twenty-first century. The internationalization of universities in the United States increases the political significance of assembling a diverse student body. In the post-September 11 era, it serves the function of enhancing national security, economic development, cross-cultural understanding, and the forming of a national identity in today’s global society. Most important, internationalization provides an opportunity to fulfill basic missions of universities: to develop cross-cultural awareness, which in turn, provides a forum for learning, research, and social debates. More than half a million students from other countries currently study in the United States, and international students account for 12 percent of graduate enroll-
ments (Altbach, 2002). Universities must become more responsive to the needs of international learners. Specific to family science programs, international concerns need to become integral in preparing all students to work in an increasingly interdependent world. With these imperatives in mind we considered internationalizing family science education.
