Abstract

The purpose of this research is to analyze the relationship between international student mobility (ISM), related to study programs or internships, and employability, from the viewpoint of employers in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The research methodology is exploratory, based on surveys. The sample comprised 87 companies, most of which are big firms with international links. The main competence that organizations believe students develop when they have an international experience during their course of studies is a better command of foreign languages. According to employers, ISM contributes to boosting students’ initiative –one of the top competences, most valued by Brazilian employers, second to responsibility. However, and along the lines of international literature about the issue, employers do not take into account ISM when it comes to graduate selection and recruiting, where the most valued experience is an international internship. From the perspective of higher education, it is necessary to define the skills that students should develop thanks to an international experience, so that they can be effectively communicated to future employers.