International students’ Action for Adapting Cross-Cultural activities Erasmus Project

Project Title

International students’ Action for Adapting Cross-Cultural activities

Project Key Action

This project related with these key action: Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices

Project Action Type

This project related with this action type : Strategic Partnerships for higher education

Project Call Year

This project’s Call Year is 2020

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: Creativity and culture; Intercultural/intergenerational education and (lifelong)learning

Project Summary

The growing education-related migration has led to many countries consider international students migration as the most important part of foreign policy aimed at strengthening of economic and political influence in the world. According to UNESCO: in 2016 total number of students enrolled in participating post-secondary institutions increased by 65%, and number of international students in the world – by 80% since 2010. According to OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) the most popular countries for studying abroad in 2015 was USA, UK, Australia, Germany, France, Canada, Russia and Spain. According to EUROSTAT there were at least 1.6 million degree mobile students from abroad who studied at tertiary education level across the European Union (EU) in 2016. These are internationally mobile students enrolled in a degree programme in a country other than the one where they completed their upper secondary education. More than two fifths (43%) of the students from abroad studying at tertiary education level in the EU in 2016 were from Europe,30% were from Asia and 12% were from Africa. In numbers: Czech Republic–42716 foreign stud.,German–149285,Finland–19133,Portugal–19 830.
This stats shows that only one of the consortium countries is on the top list of receivers. For sure there are lots of reasons of this situation, however consortium believes that common framework – how to work with foreigners and how university environment should be prepared for the newcomers as well as exchange of good practices will help to make environment more prepared for internationalization.
The most students making decision about country of studying relying to stay and find the work there., according to worldwide statistic 25% of students from abroad settle in the country of studying. It was confirmed by Leader internal survey the most students making decision about country of studying relying to stay and improve their employment prospects and find the work there. On the 2nd place students put opportunity for personal development, the 3rd place location, climate ect. According to students experience next problems of study abroad is connected with following aspects:
• Culture shock, reluctance of integration with national students and new culture
• Problems with communication (language barrier)
• Style of communication, working rules, internal code of organisation
• Organization of daily life in new environment
Psychologist (working at Leader University) who delivered psychological support for students and staff within The Psychological Center for Diagnosis and Therapy said that incoming students are experiencing higher levels of stress because their relocation to another country. And they have to face up with different problems than national students. Students combine this problem with lack or inadequate support from university staff on the other hand university staff is glad of the level of consider the support offered to students to be sufficient and satisfactory. Meeting the expectations of students but also of the academic staff by delivering tailor made employee work, Leader partner decided to build the consortium towards better recognition of needs and problems of international students and develop materials and supporting guides as well as exchange best practices.
MAIN AIM of the project: to build strong cooperation network and develop sustainable model of support for international students and useful tool in order to help them to adapt to the new environment in order to strengthen internationalization of the universities from less attractive countries based on rich experience of more attractive counties. Stimulating creativity and raising the competence and skills of academic staff, students and graduates.
Specific aims of the project: (1) development of Model of support for international student’s adaptation based on interactions with target groups as well as on best practices recognized in consortium countries, (2) development of Guide book of “Dos and don’ts” for university staff working with foreign students and (3) development of Welcome guide for foreign students (4) and Interactive materials: Graphics and functionality of the interactive materials (edugraphics) for students and staff (5) Tailoring service to the needs of foreign students and expanding the skills of the academic staff (6) Creating a system supporting the participation of university employees in the internationalization process of the university (7) stimulating creativity and raising the competence and skills of academic staff, students and graduates.
Target group:
– International students
– Domestic students
– Mobility programmes coordinators
– Internal HEI staff members working with foreigners
The basic concept of the project is to deal with problems which are facing by the international student and help them to interact by make a friendly learning atmosphere and understanding the cross-cultural dimensions for surviving abroad

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 203068 Eur

Project Coordinator

WYZSZA SZKOLA EKONOMII I INNOWACJI W LUBLINIE & Country: PL

Project Partners

• FUNDACION ETEA PARA EL DESARROLLO Y LA COOPERACIÓN
• COFAC COOPERATIVA DE FORMACAO E ANIMACAO CULTURAL CRL
• Proficio Skopje
• PANEPISTIMIO THESSALIAS