The Next Buddha may be a Community: Practising Intercultural Competence at Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia

The whole world is talking about globalisation and there are so many versions of it that one might as well not talk about it at all. The word has permeated all areas of the public sphere and can have negative or positive connotations, depending on the context of relevant discourse. In education, globalisation is associated with mobility of staff and students, with internationalization of degrees, course content, research, and with global career opportunities for university graduates. High numbers of international students are perceived as an asset to universities around the world, in economical, political, and cultural terms. One of the advantages for all students, domestic and international, is the opportunity to meet people from across the globe and to exchange views and learning styles as well as establishing links for future professional work. Universities advertise that graduates will leave their Alma Mater as well rounded, interculturally competent people who are ready to be employed in international contexts. This book sets out to explore what internationalization in education really looks like.