Exploring Intercultural Competence via Academic Writing: A Student's Perspective on an EDUC Experience
The EDUC alliance offers students a unique opportunity to engage with international peers, broaden their perspectives, and develop key academic skills. One such opportunity was the course "Writing Across Cultures," which was offered by David Prickett at the University of Potsdam and open to EDUC students. In this course, students explored the meaning and relevance of intercultural competence in today’s world, engaged in academic writing, and participated in peer review exercises. The semester culminated in student presentations showcasing their research and reflections.
Olga Turek from the University of Cagliari actively participated in this course, attending every session online and making valuable contributions. In this interview, she shares her experience, insights, and takeaways from the course.
What motivated you to participate in this course, and how did the EDUC framework influence your decision?
EDUC courses are often announced at our university, and we are encouraged by the professors to join them as they are a great opportunity to enhance various skills. I chose this course because I wanted to improve my English language skills and learn how to prepare academic texts. I also saw it as an opportunity to cooperate with students from other countries, which allows to polish intercultural competences and allow for the exchange of new ideas and perspectives. The procedure for joining this international course was very easy, and EDUC courses are also awarded credits, so I could easily incorporate the course into my study program.
How did the course content and activities help you develop your understanding of intercultural competence?
During the course, among other activities, we were reading texts about intercultural competences and discussing them. I enjoyed discussions because I could get familiar with others’ points of view. Discussions within small groups were especially useful because I could freely express my opinions, learn others’ points of view, and find inspiration for writing the final essay on intercultural competencies. Preparing the essay, we needed to gather literature, which was a good opportunity for me to become more familiar with articles about intercultural competences, especially since I usually do not work on such subjects. I really like the idea that every student could choose their own topic connected to intercultural competences, so we could get to know their diverse aspects during the final presentation and discussion. I remember students who pointed out how important education about intercultural competences at schools is, and I agree with them that we would have a beneficial outcome.
What are your key takeaways from this experience, and how do you see yourself applying them in the future?
I learnt how to express my opinions more confidently during this course. As for the intercultural competences, I began to think more about empathy and I saw how important it is to understand each other, especially when people come from different cultural backgrounds. Preparing the essay step-by-step and focusing on each particular part helped me with both understanding the topic and writing texts more consciously. I would recommend this course for other students. It is a great opportunity to get to know more about intercultural competences and discuss them with other students in a nice and stress-free atmosphere.
The EDUC alliance continues to facilitate meaningful international learning experiences, fostering collaboration and exchange across universities. This course not only strengthened students’ academic writing skills but also deepened their understanding of intercultural competence, an essential skill in today's globalized world.
We look forward to hearing more from our EDUC participants and their journeys through these enriching academic opportunities!
Contact: Dr. David James Prickett
Published on 17 April 2025