Internationalisation@Home (I@H) is defined as the targeted integration of international and intercultural dimensions in formal and non-formal education for all students in the learning environment (Beelen & Jones, 2015). At the University for Continuing Education Krems (UWK), I@H is supported by the following main features:
1. The University for Continuing Education Krems offers all students the opportunity to develop international skills within their continuing education and short programs, regardless of whether they are studying abroad or not:
- In order to ensure that every continuing education programme includes courses for the acquisition of international skills, 'internationalization' is anchored as a structural element within each corresponding curriculum at module or course level. According to the structural element, at least 3 ECTS are geared towards this. The courses include mobility activities or I@H elements that enable the acquisition of international skills even without a stay abroad. (Principles for the development of curricula, UWK, 2025).
- A toolbox “Funding for the internationalization of curricula” was designed to support implementation by curriculum developers and shared with the university.
- The range of courses also includes English-language continuing education courses.
2. The University for Continuing Education Krems makes targeted use of the cultural diversity of its students for an integrative learning, teaching and assessment practice:
- The Rectorate's announcement “Temporary admission of exchange students” regulates the temporary admission of exchange students at UWK.
- Incoming students and staff as well as all international guests of the university receive support at the Service Center for International Relations with bureaucratic formalities and German courses, among other things.
- In order to further increase incoming mobility, the directors of the university's continuing education programs are receiving financial incentives for the integration of Erasmus+ exchange students as part of a pilot project.
3. The University for Continuing education Krems practices I@H with the involvement of the entire staff, not only the academic staff and the staff of the international relations office:
- The staff development program “International Skills Certificate” promotes international mobility and the associated professional and intercultural skills of employees at the University for Continuing Education Krems.
- Internationalization measures are increasingly part of the annual evaluations. (Perspectives questionnaire, 2025)
- An expansion of the interview guidelines for job interviews to include international and intercultural skills is in progress.
4. The University for Continuing Education Krems develops (further) informal (co-)curricular activities:
- The University of Krems offers Seasonal Schools.
- The University of Krems offers Welcome Days, which are supplemented by activities organized by the student body at the University for Continuing Education Krems (ÖH-UWK).
- German language courses are offered with the ÖH-UWK.
- A peer support program is being developed with the ÖH-UWK.
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