Intercultural Seminar

Category of recipe: Internationalisation through national and international students; Internationalisation through pedagogical activities and development of international skills.
Objectives:
Bring students some basic intercultural knowledge for both personal and professional contexts through diverse pedagogical activities and interactions with those with experience in the field.
Showcase the cultural diversity that exists within the group of participating students.
Contribute to making students aware of different cultures, with their inherent values, beliefs and ways of doing things.

Short description:

The 3-day Intercultural Seminar is divided into four main parts (see Programme in Appendix 1 of this Recipe):
• Workshops (mornings, 8 am–11 am): from the 4 workshops on offer, in our version, students do 3. Each workshop lasts 3 hours.
• Presentations by participating students (mornings, 11 am–12 pm).
• A time of presentation and exchange with QLIO¹ students from outside France: an extremely formative activity for the students concerned. They were able to present and explain their culture of origin OR an international volunteering experience.
• Exchanges with professionals (afternoons): each one presented his or her ‘international’ experience in a company, through a job/project abroad, contact with international colleagues and/or colleagues at work with a different cultural background. This was followed by a discussion with the students.
• A piece of work to hand in that requires the students to reflect on and take a step back from what they learnt during the seminar (see Appendix 4).

Academic recognition: In our context, the Intercultural Seminar is part of a module called “Communication Skills”. Therefore, there is ECTS recognition indirectly. An additional use of this seminar could be as preparation for another type of international activity, such as a semester of mobility or a BIP.
Level of difficulty: Basic.
Calendar and time needed: In our academic year, the Intercultural Seminar takes place mid-March each year. It is part of a “Communication Skills” module.

Preparation timeline:
End of previous academic year:

• As the whole year group will be participating, it is essential to block off the days and necessary rooms in their timetable.
• Contact the guest lecturer(s) from the partner university and/or those invited to do a workshop on their native country to confirm availability.

4 months before:

• Contact the professionals you wish to invite.
• Ask the university’s Community Manager or Communications department to take photos and prepare a short article for the university newsletter or website.

1 month before:

• Ask students who have a family origin other than where the Intercultural Seminar is taking place to present that country to their colleagues.

1 week before:

• Prepare the student lists, room posters (see Appendix 2) for the different activities and the main Intercultural Seminar poster.

Cost summary: €.
The costs involved are:
Paying the teacher and workshop leaders (hours are budgeted as part of the teaching programme).
End-of-seminar soft drinks (optional).

Language and level required: Most workshops and presentations are done in the native language (in our case, French) so that the challenges of interculturality are better understood. We have also invited guest lecturers to give their “Country workshop” in English for mobility students.

Roles and responsibilities:
Coordinators: English and Communication Skills teachers coordinate this seminar. They:

• Build the programme.
• Recruit workshop leaders, students, and professionals.
• Liaise with the timetable coordinator for rooms.

Workshop leaders: Responsible for content of their 3-hour workshop. They:

• Assess students’ prior knowledge of the country/culture.
• Present culture interactively (quizzes, calligraphy, etc.).
• Provide materials (e.g., calligraphy tools).

Ingredients:
1st-year university students.
Workshop leaders.
Students with a different cultural family origin.
Professionals with intercultural/international experience.
Classrooms.
Materials for cultural activities (e.g., calligraphy).

Steps:
Step 1: Decide on the length and dates of the Intercultural Seminar.
Step 2: Reserve rooms and block periods in students’ timetables.

• NB: the four parts in “Short description” can also be spread over a longer period.

Step 3: Choose countries/activities for workshops and recruit leaders:

• A1) Country workshops:
  • Led by a native of the country.
  • Objectives: basic cultural knowledge, Q&A, cultural comparisons.
• A2) Alternatives:
  • Intercomprehension workshop (Romance languages).
  • African dance workshop (group coordination, cultural expression).
• B) Student presentations:
  • 10-minute presentations on family country of origin.
  • Use Appendix 3 structure; encourage music, dance, fun elements.
  • Avoid sensitive topics; include Q&A with peers.
• B2) Alternatives:
  • Invited students returning from mobility, internships, or volunteering.

Step 4: Select professionals for afternoon sessions:

• Contact colleagues and partners.
• Prepare discussion points (Appendix 3).
• Include a UNITA team presentation.

Step 5: Prepare administrative documents (posters & attendance sheets).
Step 6: Run the Intercultural Seminar.

Non-mandatory items

• Name of the author: Paul Jones, Université Savoie Mont Blanc (USMB).
  
• Questions / comments:

• Why organise an intercultural seminar?
  • We live in a ‘global village’.
  • Students need intercultural exposure before mobility or professional life.