Pursuing goals of sustainable development and internationalization in higher education context

The article concerns internationalization of higher education as a factor for pursuing sustainable development goals by developing university students’ global competences. A review modern research on processes in different national contexts allowed to highlight the main challenges interaction between domestic and international students well discuss possible solutions. Analyses survey results, aimed at identifying factors preventing effective cross-cultural communication non-linguistic Russian university, confirm demand intercultural competence, which is considered be most through study foreign language. paper shows significance involvement joint classroom extracurricular activities, can become basis their future cooperation field implementation innovative technologies foster goals. leading role languages departments tackling issues emphasized.