Globalization, Internationalization and Education: What is the Connection?

The aim of this study is to reflect about the interconnectedness of globalization, the internationalization process of universities and the construction of social capital through education in emerging countries. The study is based on the assumption that the inclusion of English as an international language as well as courses on globalization in the curriculum of higher education courses is necessary to drive the development of social capital. The study analyzes the internationalization process in general and of the Business Administration Course in particular of two Brazilian universities in different contexts, a public and a private one. Results of the study suggest that one of the main challenges in the development of social capital in higher education in Brazil is related to the lack of linguistic proficiency in English to aid the internationalization process of education with the consequent inclusion of these countries in the globalized world and top ranked institutions. Keywords : Globalization, Internationalization, Education, Social Capital