Intercultural learning and language promotion: Successful BIP cooperation for Spanish with EUT+ partner universities

In order to strengthen networking with EUT+ partner universities, the Spanish department at the Language Center has been actively involved in a new BIP project (Blended Intensive Programme) initiated by the Universidad Politécnica de Cartagena, Spain (UPCT). The objective of this innovative project, which took place in July 2024, was to bring together students from different European countries to teach them not only language but also intercultural skills.

Marcela Constenla, in her role as coordinator for Spanish and French at the h_da Language Center, carefully developed the didactic, linguistic and intercultural aspects of the program together with colleagues from UPCT and Technological University (TU) Dublin, Ireland. Each of them then taught one week out of a total three of an online Spanish course at level A2, with students from h_da and its EUT+ partner universities in Spain, Ireland, Italy as well as Białystok University of Technology taking part.

They then all met in Cartagena, Spain, for an intensive face-to-face phase in the fourth week. During this stay, the students not only had the opportunity to apply and improve their language skills in real-life situations, but also to participate in various cultural activities such as excursions, workshops and intercultural encounters, which gave the students a deeper understanding of the Spanish culture and way of life.

Through close collaboration and exchange with students and teachers from different countries, the participants were able to gain valuable experience that will enrich them in their further studies and professional life.

This BIP project represents a significant step in the international networking and cooperation of the participating universities and underlines the importance of intercultural learning and language education in a globalized world.

A few impressions of the partner university in Cartagena.