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Student’s perception of the importance of internationalization

Since globalization is a characteristic of the new teaching and learning model, universities should facilitate internationalization and ensure the quality of activities. As results of these new models, besides international mobility, the university expects students to improve their responsibility and their communication abilities, gaining greater intercultural tolerance, more empathy, new skills, flexibility, innovation and motivation for long-life learning. To ensure the quality of the internationalization process at Botucatu Medical School, UNESP-Univ Estadual Paulista (UNESP/FMB), pre and post-exchange questionnaires were designed to assess the goals of students and their familiarity with cultural and social aspects of the visiting country; they were applied to exchange students from 2011 to 2014. Most students had as motivation the possibility of obtaining cultural experiences, knowing different health systems, establishing contact with another language and the ease for an exchange activity mediated by UNESP/FMB. These goals were achieved by 100% participants. All students affirmed that their English knowledge was sufficient in the daily activities, but not for contact with patients. The limitation of not interacting with patients is a handicap of medical learning and must be considered for the achievement of the necessary skills. Short-term clerkships do not necessarily need to include performance of their learned abilities, but for long-term exchange programs (e.g. Science-without-Boarders) this is fundamental and must be taken into account. The development of exchange programs should consider the preparation and evaluation of students during and after the exchange process.

Author(s):

Silke Weber    
UNESP - Botucatu Medical School
Brazil

Karina Chamma    
UNESP - Botucatu Medical School
Brazil

Silvana Schellini    
UNESP - Botucatu Medical School
Brazil