Developing intercultural competence in Erasmus Mundus: reflective practice through technology-enhanced learning

The mobility that the Erasmus Mundus (EM) programme provides is one of its most important characteristics. Students gain educational experience in at least two countries that have different teaching and learning models as well as different traditions. In order to successfully work and collaborate with their colleagues from across the world, study in culturally different educational institutions and live in different countries, students require a set of abilities for dealing with cultural diversity. These abilities, collectively termed intercultural competence, enable effective studying, living and working across different cultural boundaries. The paper presents approaches and initial results from the applied research Erasmus Mundus Intercultural Competence Project (EMIC) funded by the EC Erasmus Mundus Action 3 fund. The paper focuses on the learning approach undertaken to develop intercultural competence within a sample of Erasmus Mundus Master courses. The EMIC learning approach is designed as a response to needs and training recommendations collected through qualitative data analysis. The paper includes training recommendations collected from students and university staff and the face-to-face and online learning activities that were proposed as part of the EMIC Learning Programme. It also includes reflections on how training recommendations were addressed and how reflection on intercultural competence could be fostered in a blended learning format.