SUPPORTING CROSS-CULTURAL UNIVERSITY EDUCATION

Current and future students will work in a rapidly changing world that differs significantly from the present situation. We do not know exactly which new learning outcomes will be needed, but population growth combined with globalisation and digitalisation makes it clear that a global mindset and the ability to effectively operate in a multicultural environment will be crucial. Student immersion into different cultures within a university might facilitate the development of intercultural competence within “the international classroom”; however, the competencies and support of teaching staff are also essential for optimising this process. This paper shows the approach of Wageningen University towards the international classroom, including its student population, policies, informational resources, and support activities. The teachers are relatively experienced with the international classroom, but additional training was requested and developed. The first six training sessions provided, received positive evaluations, showing that even in a situation with experienced teachers and clear policies and support for the international classroom, additional training is still valuable. The overview of policy, activities, support, and training might help other universities to reflect on their approach towards cross-cultural university education.