Exploring Opportunities and Challenges of Cross-Cultural and International Teaching, Research, and Service for Higher Education Faculty Members

Abstract

In this chapter, we relate themes derived from an analysis of literature related to international collaboration and cross-cultural communication. Our analysis helped identify five critical areas that present challenges and opportunities for improvement: (1) communication and language; (2) cultural differences; (3) funding and time; (4) co-authorship and memorandums of understanding; and (5) ethics, respect and trust. We complement presentation of these themes by also including some of our personal reflections on international work as faculty members working at institutions of higher education in the United States. One of the key insights of this inquiry is that the roles and perspectives of many administrators and leaders in institutions of higher education should be reconsidered and reframed in a global perspective to effect meaningful change and improvement.