Academicians’ Views on the Contribution of International Academic Mobility for Professional Development (The USA Sample)

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to determine academicians’ views on the contribution of international academic mobility to their professional and personal development. The qualitative study was conducted with a “case study” design. The study group consisted of 15 faculty members determined with snowball sampling method. The data were collected with a semi-structured interview technique, and analyzed with an inductive analysis method. Results showed that international academic mobility contributed to academicians’ personal and professional developments. However, the participants some difficulties such as established negative academic practices, staff constraints, inability to participate in decision-making and adaptation to corporate culture. It was also understood that some academicians are thinking of going back abroad because of the frustration with their promotion process. In addition, the academicians working in the fields of science and engineering in the newly established universities have problems with conducting research and producing publications due to the technical infrastructure deficiencies. It was determined that academicians expect project budgets to increase, strengthen workshops and develop laboratory infrastructures, and access to library databases. The regulations and laws regarding academic mobility for international purposes should be rearranged and the conditions should be improved.