EU-US Atlantis Excellence in Mobility Project Cross Cultural Training for US and EU Students (CROCUS) Project Directors' Conference, Brussels Workshop presentations WS 3, 23 March 2012

Outline of presentation Overview of the project Key progress and activities to date Findings from the study abroad evaluation survey Findings from the online course: Crossing the Bridge Key challenges

The Project The consortium: Aston Business School, Birmingham, UK University of Mannheim Business School, Germany San Diego State University, San Diego, USA Drexel University, Philadelphia, USA Duration: September 2010 – September 2014 Objectives: - To develop the intercultural competence and employability of business students and to improve their global understanding of management issues - To develop and evaluate training approaches which enable our students to realise their intercultural learning

Progress and activities to date Establishment of the core working group and dynamics of the project consortium Exchange of students between the EU and US partners : 3 US to EU : 14 US to EU; 5 EU to US Administration of a pre- and post-study abroad online questionnaire designed to evaluate the study abroad experience Development of an online course called ‘Crossing the Bridge’ taken by all students funded by this project Faculty mobility and networking from Drexel to Aston and Mannheim, and from Aston to Drexel

Study abroad evaluation survey Pre-departure and post-study abroad (average on scale 1 to 7)

“Crossing the Bridge” All students funded by the Atlantis programme took the online module Crossing the Bridge over a course of 10 weeks in Autumn 2011 Description: This course is designed for students who are experiencing the “otherness” of culturally diverse groups through living, studying or working abroad. Students will integrate and build on their intercultural experiences through a self-reflective process, and will become aware of the impact their cultural backgrounds have on these experiences. The course is intended to help students to enhance their intercultural competence by developing a different lens through which to view the world, and by generating a project which will tie the intercultural experience to a present or future goal (a tangible project which can be shared with family, friends or future employers).

“I feel like my ethnic identity has changed the most. I definitely still am proud to be an American, but not as proud as I used to be. Looking back on my time before I left for abroad, my perspective on many ways of life was “the American way or the highway,” and that has definitely changed. I would also stereotype Europeans as ‘socialist hippies’ but I now see that many of the customs practiced in Europe are more common sense than anything else and we would be wise to adopt them as Americans…When interacting with people from home, I boast about how different Europe is and that we as Americans should adopt some of their ways. I also think that when I go back my perspective on many things will change about the American ethnicity. Instead of driving to the gym I see myself walking. I also envision shopping at farmers markets instead of chain grocers. I also think I will be more liberal in terms of my political views when I return.” “My perceptions of my home country have been significantly changed. Before moving to Germany I had never experienced living in another country and culture. I now realize I was very close- minded to other places and did not think of the possibilities other countries presented its population. For instance, all my life I was taught how America is the land of opportunity and freedom. It is the best and most powerful country to live in. Yes, maybe America is a powerful nation that offers large amounts of opportunities, but now I realize that other countries offer great lifestyles. Europe has so many perks like free higher education, great transportation systems, growing economies, and limited war costs. I am fortunate to have had this experience and now learn to open my mind to other places and not be trapped in the “American mindset.” US students

“One of the first things I had to adapt to was the American attitude towards friendliness. In Germany it happens quite rarely that someone is greeting you when you enter a store or is asking you how you are. But in America it is completely different. I was really not used to answer this question all the time and I felt uncomfortable. For me, this asking was too superficial and not serious but anyways, I knew I have to adapt to that. It took me a long time until I started responding and even sometimes asking back how they are. I still felt strange and uneasy but I got used to it and for me if felt like the first real cultural development for me. Another issue is my attitude towards being German. Before I came to the US, I perceived Germany as boring, uninteresting and straight. This perception has changed a lot; I see Germany with other eyes. Living in Germany has so many advantages, we have social security, affordable universities and a more responsible attitude towards energy and waste than the US. I am really glad that I gained this experience. Now, I much more appreciate living conditions in Germany.” (German student) “My perceptions of my home country have changed in the sense that I view it much more positively than I did before. I use to be very critical of all of the UK’s flaws. Now, while I don’t idealize it, I do see that a lot of those aspects that I thought were disadvantages I now see as great advantages. For some reason, I thought the fact that English people were reserved was a terrible quality. I now see that knowing how and when to speak is a great asset, and I miss having people like that around me. In terms of skills and qualities I know that in my time here I have become an extremely flexible and versatile individual, which I am so happy to have achieved. I hope to use this for the rest of my life in all kinds of situations, since it is clear that life in general has unexpected moments, and flexibility is therefore key.” (UK student) EU students

Key issues challenges How to make the learning process more specific to business and management Is financial incentive sufficient on its own? How to communicate and instil the benefits for students’ employability Sustainability of the joint curriculum Appropriateness of the current evaluation framework

Any questions?