1. Towards an international perspective

2. International competencies

3. Evidence of learning effects

4. Implications for learning programs

Content

E. van 't Klooster www.getupandgo.nl

Towards an international perspective

E. van 't Klooster www.getupandgo.nl

Opportunities

1) International business 2) Discover new ways of living

E. van 't Klooster www.getupandgo.nl

Uncertainties

1) International value chains, global reorganizations, interdependent markets.

2) Global power is shifting from West to East. Cultural differences increase the chance of conflicts in international business and politics.

E. van 't Klooster www.getupandgo.nl

Higher Education and Internationalization My focus: Educational travel • Study abroad• International internship• Study tour• International research project.

What international competencies should be learned?

What competencies are actually learned?

What are the implications for learning programs?

E. van 't Klooster www.getupandgo.nl

Relevance

1) Education: Increase effectiveness and efficiëncy of the learning experience.

2) Students: Articulate learning experience towards recruiters.

3) Business: More students with international work experience.

4) Government: Prepare students for an uncertain and international society.

E. van 't Klooster www.getupandgo.nl

What international competencies should be learned?

1) Cross-cultural competencies

2) Management competencies

3) Personal development

E. van 't Klooster www.getupandgo.nl

Cross-cultural competencies

RelationshipForeign language proficiencyFactual cultural knowledge

Relationship etiquette

PerceptualCultural values

E. van 't Klooster www.getupandgo.nl

Management competencies

Technical knowledgeQuantitative skills

Disciplinary knowledgeInternational business

knowledge

Intra- and interpersonalProblem solving skills

CollaborationCommunication

E. van 't Klooster www.getupandgo.nl

Personal development

Independence&

Flexibility

Self awarenessExpanded view of the self

Self-assurance

Expanded worldviewPerceptual questioning skillsAwareness of the state of the

world

E. van 't Klooster www.getupandgo.nl

Learning effects

Study abroad

Internationalinternship

InternationalResearch Project

Study tour

Cross-cultural competencies

+++ ++++ ++ +

Management competencies

+++ +++ +++ ++

Personal development

+++ ++++ +++ +

Overall +++ ++++ +++ ++

My research confirms that students learn a significant amount of competencies during educational travel experiences.

E. van 't Klooster www.getupandgo.nl

Concerns with regard to learning effects

1. The learning process is hampered by: • Spending too little time abroad.• Staying in an ‘expat bubble’.• Poor quality of learning environment.

2. A support structure would help students to gain more from their international experience, in terms of:• Cross-cultural competencies• Management competencies• Personal development

E. van 't Klooster www.getupandgo.nl

Implications for learning programs

The importance of reflective learning:

1) Assess the progress made in competence learning and make sure all competencies are covered.

2) To understand initially vague concepts such as underlying cultural values.

3) Realistically assess the learning process.

THANK YOU!

For more information:

Erik van ‘t KloosterEmail: eklooster@rsm.nlWebsite: www.getupandgo.nl