Global encounters, local identities : autoethnographic reflections on University of Jyväskylä’s internationalization policies and practices

Abstract

This study examines the experiences of two Pakistani doctoral researchers at the University of Jyväskylä (JYU), Finland, highlighting the disconnect between the university’s internationalization policies and the realities faced by non-Western students. Employing autoethnography, the study reveals systemic Eurocentric biases and linguistic imperialism, leading to significant psychological challenges like alienation and identity crises. It critiques the paradoxical impact of Finnish language courses, demonstrating how policies aimed at inclusivity inadvertently marginalize non-Finnish speakers. The findings advocate for policy reforms that address the diverse linguistic and cultural needs of international students, calling for a decolonized approach to higher education internationalization that truly embraces cultural and linguistic diversity.