Introduction to Intercultural Competence through Games and Play

Content

This course is for all students with a curiosity for learning about culture and cultural exchange and an interest in play. You will explore culture and building intercultural competence by engaging in a range of interactive games and role-play. In your interdisciplinary, intercultural group of students from the ENLIGHT consortium you will learn about culture and its influence on perception and patterns of behaviour, and practice your communication skills to build empathy and broaden your intercultural competence.

Learning outcomes

After completing this course, students will be able to

• identify, compare and contrast aspects of culture, and explain and reflect influences of culture on perception and behaviour.
• reflect and value cultural diversity, including one´s own.
• apply intercultural communication skills for culturally sensitive interactions in a range of cultural contexts.
• demonstrate their intercultural knowledge and reflection skills in a written reflective portfolio.

Teaching methods

• 90- min. synchronous video sessions, 2 per week (7 TTL)
• self-paced learning assignments and online discussion forums (3 TTL)

Programme

Session 1: Introduction to Culture and Intercultural Competence.

Session 2: Intercultural Learning through Games and Play.

Session 3: Engaging in Cultural Complexities.

Session 4: Practicing Intercultural Communication.

Session 5: Cultural perception and Stereotypes.

Session 6: Engaging in cultural differences.

Session 7: Building Intercultural Connections.

Assessment

Form of assessment: Reflective portfolio (15 pages max.)

Timing for assessment: Submission of reflection journal until April 30, 2026.

Further requirements for assessment: Active participation in synchronous sessions, and online discussion forums.

Calculation of the examination mark: pass/fail

Lecturers

Alexandra Schreiber (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)

Course dates

Two synchronous online video sessions per week, Wednesday/Thursday from 12:15 – 13:45 (CET). March 4, 2026 - March 25, 2026. Regular participation required (no more than two absences). Teaching and learning materials available 24/7 on StudIP/UGOE.

! Before registration: Please check with your home faculty / programme if the course can be integrated in your curriculum in order to ensure recognition of the credits / ECTS obtained !

Entry requirements: none

Selection will refer to a “first come first serve” principle across partner universities, i. e. the first applications from each university will be selected to increase diversity in the course. Students from all ENLIGHT partner universities are eligible to participate. Students who meet the requirements mentioned above can apply directly: https://www.uni-goettingen.de/en/698171.html and briefly (1-2 paragraphs) list their motivation to participate in this course. Students from Ghent University need to obtain faculty approval by filling this form and have it signed by Faculty Student Administration. The host university will select the permitted number of students, inform the students as soon as possible following the application deadline (January 26, 2026). Unsuccessful students will be placed on a waiting list and may get a place in case of drop outs at a later stage.

Students will receive a Transcript of Records following successful completion.

Information per university

• University of the Basque Country:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 
• University of Bern:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.   
• University of Bordeaux:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.   
• Comenius University Bratislava:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  
• University of Galway:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  
• Ghent University:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.   
• University of Groningen:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 
• University of Göttingen:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.   
• University of Tartu:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., check the virtual courses page for more information
• Uppsala University: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

If you have questions about the course (content, structure, requirements, etc.), please contact:

Alexandra Schreiber (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)