Academic mobility, which has traditionally been a main component of internationalisation, has been expedited by globalisation. Knowledge at a distance has been accumulated, adopted and reproduced through academic travel over the centuries. In the international knowledge system, students and scholars tend to congregate at academic centres and foster the circulation of knowledge, transcending national boundaries. With regard to the mobility of academics, Korea is a major sending country to academic centres, but it has benefited by returning scholars who acquire PhDs overseas and return with substantial research experience.