Abstract
The educational programs in Kazakhstan are at a transitional stage, and an aspect of this transition is the internationalization of the university education system to ensure students' competitiveness for global recognition. This study contributes to local internationalization by synthesizing literature on the concept and analyzing the flow of Kazakhstani students over the years. Indeed, the country succeeded in attracting students from other countries, though this was insignificant compared to the mobility of Kazakh students abroad. The highlight of the two strategies employed to improve internationalization is the establishment of foreign centers for study and the recruitment of expatriate scholars in Kazakhstan. Lastly, the use of a foreign language as a means of local internationalization was discussed. At the university level, Kazakhstan may have overrated its proficiency in using English as a working language.