This study investigates the role of international experience on personal and professional development of university academic staff in the Humanities and Social Sciences fields in Thailand. The participants were 23 lecturers from nine universities in Thailand. A semi-structured face-to-face interviewing method was employed. The findings reveal that international experiences develop the lecturers' cognitive and affective skills as well as enhancing intercultural understanding and broadening their worldview. For professional development, the lecturers gain up-to-date information and a profound body of knowledge. Lecturers' attempts to transfer international knowledge into classroom practices included: the delivery of in-depth subject knowledge, promotion of essential study skills, implementation of different classroom activities, increasing self-esteem, enhancement of intercultural understanding, and fostering global mindedness and greater awareness of global issues. [Note: The issue number (1) shown on the PDF is incorrect. The correct citation is v15 n2.]