Virtual exchange in the internationalization scenario of Brazilian higher education: a review of studies

Abstract

This paper aims at presenting the results of a review of studies focused on Virtual Exchange (VE) in the Brazilian Higher Education (HE) context, published from 2013 to 2024, in academic search platforms, in order to comprehend this initiative in a local and situated way. This is a qualitative and exploratory study and bibliographic research was carried out in selected platforms, using specific keywords, to identify and analyze the texts. A total of 110 academic works were found and examined, considering these thematic categories: i) the nature of the text writing; ii) types of VE and specific institutional designations in some HEIs; iii) internationalization, the pandemic and post-pandemic periods; iv) the variety within VE; v) language use and VE; vi) support for the VE initiatives and task design; vii) potentialities and viii) challenges. Results show that VE has had an increasingly growing potential for the internationalization of Brazilian HEIs as it represents variety of work and international collaboration possibilities. Even highlighting the potential of VE initiatives, studies also acknowledge the challenges faced, showing, thus, the importance of a critical stance and perspective in their implementation.