Intercultural Learning and Study AbroadLaajuus (3 ECTS)

Objective

Course is directed for outgoing exchange students and it aims to prepare students to acknowledge and understand how culture can affect one’s own behavior and others’ behaviour, and to develop and apply skills, that are needed to successfully adapt into multicultural learning and working environment.

Learning outcomes:
Student:
- acknowledges and understands how culture can affect one’s own behavior and others’ behavior
- learns about what kind of knowledge, skills and attitudes are needed to operate successfully in intercultural interactions
- learns to understand and interpret different kinds of intercultural encounters
- acknowledges and understands adaptation process into different cultural environment

Content

- culture-general knowledge
* e.g. concept of culture, cultural dimensions, one’s own cultural identity and background
- culture-specific knowledge
* home culture(s) and host culture(s)
- intercultural encounters
- critical incidents technique
- intercultural competence

Assessment criteria, approved/failed

- active participation in contact teaching lessons before student exchange period (3 x 3 h lessons) (pre-entry) and after student exchange period (1 x 3 h lessons) (re-entry)
- written learning assignments before (2 assignments), during (3 assignments) and after (1 assignment) the student exchange period