Internationalization of U.S. postsecondary institutions is a prominent topic in the current higher education environment. As part of internationalization efforts, universities and colleges are increasing study abroad or different types of international experiences that give students academic opportunities outside of the United States. The discussion of the importance of such experiences has been particularly prominent in undergraduate programs. However, literature indicates that providing international experiences to graduate students is of growing concern in the current global environment. Data indicate that majority of international experiences occur within graduate professional programs, including law, business, and the health professions. Additionally, literature on internationalization of U.S. higher education indicates that organizational factors within individual academic institutions matter in how international activities and strategies developed historically and are carried out in different ways. However, little is understood about how international experiences developed within graduate professional programs. Additionally, few research studies have used an organizational lens to understand development of such experiences. The focus of the current study was to understand the factors involved in developing and implementing international experiences within graduate professional programs through an integrated organizational approach. This research project included three academic programs, dentistry, medicine, and law, at a doctoral-level research university that is part of a multi-campus system. Faculty and administrators in the three academic schools, as well as campus-level administrators, provided their views on how international experiences began and were sustained over time. Key factors identified included faculty work and roles, various types of support, the role of curriculum, and connecting the international experiences in increasing ways across a variety of organizational levels. Additionally, the research data provided for a discussion of sustainability of international experiences in the three graduate professional programs. Future directions for research, policy, and practice are considered.
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