This article explains the relationship between globalization and internationalization. It also points out the relevance and importance of internationalization for higher education institutions. Furthermore it takes into consideration the pertinence of international cooperation in a globalized world and how international cooperation is useful in the process of internationalization of higher education institutions aligned with achieving their mission and positively contributing to society. The second part of the article is dedicated to the case of Catedra Europa, an international program offered by Universidad del Norte in Barranquilla, Colombia. Catedra Europa is a successful model that illustrates the role of international cooperation in the process of internationalization of a higher education institution.