Experiencing Internationalization: learning and challenges in a teacher training program for Brazilian educators in Ireland

Abstract

This work discusses the importance of internationalization in education, highlighting its historical presence in Brazil through exchanges and cooperation with European countries, based on the experience of the second group of teachers who participated in the professional development course in Leadership and Educational Management offered by Mary Immaculate College in Ireland between 2023 and 2024. The account of this successful experience illustrates the benefits and challenges of internationalization in both face-to-face and remote formats. The program, aimed at Basic Education professionals, was funded by CAPES and launched in 2019. In each of its three editions, the program included an online training and selection phase with 120 participants and a ten-month face-to-face training in Ireland for the thirty selected participants. Both the course and the experience of living in the country provided exposure to innovative pedagogical practices, debates, and reflections on cultural differences, and the development of English language skills, flexibility, and teamwork. The in-person experience allowed for deeper immersion, the building of bonds, and knowledge exchange, while the remote format offered greater accessibility and flexibility. It is concluded that both modalities are complementary and essential for professional development and the formation of communities of practice, which collectively strengthen Brazilian education through enriching international experiences.