‘Cultural Encounters’ is the signature 10-week online course. It combines the deep impact of intercultural exchange with the broad reach of online learning. Participants in ‘Cultural Encounters’  learn with, and from, their peers in online group sessions, as well as from expert academics and practitioners through an original video-lecture series.

Participants in this flagship course get to engage with students and other youth from different countries, cultures and backgrounds in a virtual classroom. They improve their language and communication skills as well as improve their confidence, self-awareness, build empathy and critical thinking skills.

Each semester, ‘Cultural Encounters’ will tackle a topical, socio-political issue. For the autumn 2019 course this will be populism.‘Cultural Encounters: Perspectives on Populism’ will run from 14 October-  20 December 2019 and will be offered in English. Participants will explore the new wave of anti-establishment politics gaining power around the world. Taking an often nationalist agenda, their policies are reshaping our relationship to neighbouring countries and cultures.

These political regimes claim to speak for the people and many people feel a connection to this form of politics so: What is the appeal and what is the impact on democracy?

Integrating Online Learning into your course

Models for Higher Education Institutions

Higher Education Institutions have a number of different models to choose from when integrating ‘Cultural Encounters’ into their educational programmes. This 10-week course is calculated to be worth at least 5 ECTS. There is, however, a spectrum of accreditation for universities ranging from 4-10 ECTS.

The most common way to implement the course is by offering it to students as an elective, accredited course. To do this, professors select a pre-existing optional module and simply replace their content with this Erasmus+ Virtual Exchange course.

However, there are a number of other models through which educators can offer this course to students. For example as an accredited new course, as a compulsory course with credits, as a Prior Recognised Learning with credits or as an extracurricular without credits.

Erasmus+ Virtual Exchange team is ready to discuss what option is the best fit for specific partners and believes it’s always possible to find a tailor-made option to fit specific needs. Contact us for more information by completing the Expression of Interest Form.

An Online Course Not Only for Students

‘Cultural Encounters’ also welcomes youth that is not enrolled in higher education to join this intercultural learning opportunity. The course is open to anyone between the age of 18-30 and is a resident in one of the Erasmus+ programme countries or Southern Mediterranean countries. We value diversity as strength and therefore invite all youth interested in discussing the course themes. We therefore welcome youth organizations to explore possibilities to offer ‘Cultural Encounters’ to their network. Contact us through the Expression of Interest Form.

More on 'Cultural Encounters: Perspectives on Populism'.