Mestenhauser and the Possibilities of International Education

Book excerpt: Focusing on the work of Josef A. Mestenhauser (1925–2015) and the depth and breadth of his contribution to the area of internationalization of higher education, this book addresses the theoretical foundations of the field of international education and the implications for practice and strategy. It considers key concepts and poses questions for discussion that make Mestenhauser’s work accessible to new readers. Through a series of provocative essays, contributors to this volume examine Mestenhauser’s influence on their understanding and practice of international education, the relevance of his work today, the transferability of his ideas across contexts, and current interpretations of the field. They consider areas of agreement and disagreement that illuminate pathways for inquiry and future practice, affirming the importance of his work in a new global landscape. Mestenhauser and the Possibilities of International Education is suitable reading for all those interested in the internationalization of higher education, including higher education faculty, students, researchers, and international education and higher education policy makers.