Intercultural competence and communication

Intercultural competence and communication - on the way to global citizenship

How to negotiate with the Japanese or Germans? What to give as a gift to a Chinese partner? What competitive advantages does a company gain from understanding e.g. cultural diversity? How can we grow into global citizenship and thus contribute to sustainable development?

Courses related to intercultural communication and multiculturalism open the door to foreign cultures from many different perspectives. You will learn to understand your own culture as well as the differences between people from various other cultures. You get to know about values, communication styles and working life habits. All this will prepare you to work successfully with international colleagues and partners in the future.

You can study intercultural communication in multicultural teams in English both online and in class.

Intercultural competence is as important as literacy.

Teachers:

Häkli Jaana
Katajamäki Outi
MacLaverty Neil
Mitchell Derek

For LUT students:

KE00CF69 Intercultural Competence and Communication, 5 ects

Come and learn about cultural differences and how culture affects, for example, international business and people's values.
A complementary or elective course especially for students in engineering programs to help them develop their intercultural competence. The course is also recommended as intercultural training, especially for those planning to study or work abroad. The course is also offered to incoming exchange students.
The course is not recommended for business students, as their degree includes a corresponding course, Cross-Cultural Issues in International Business taught by LUT Business School.
The course is offered several times a year as classroom teaching at both the Lahti and Lappeenranta campuses and online.
The course is taught in English.

KM00CO04 Finnish Culture and Society, 3 ects

Elective course especially for all international students studying in international degree programmes to develop their understanding of Finnish culture and society in English. This course helps in cultural adaptation to Finland and prepares students for example for internships in Finnish companies.
The course is offered as a traditional classroom version to students studying in Lappeenranta and as 100% online for students studying elsewhere. Webinars will be recorded, so you can also study the course according to your own pace. There are two implementations in a year, one starting in January and the other in September. Cultural activities to be completed in Finland as a part of the course require your stay in Finland but if you want to complete the course without living in Finland, you can do it by completing an alternative task.
The course is offered also to incoming exchange students studying at LAB University of Applied Sciences and LUT.
The course is taught in English.

KE00CH94 Diversity Management and Global Citizenship, 5 ects

Develop your understanding of global citizenship and the connected world especially from the perspective of sustainability. Learn to understand the competitive advantages of diversity and how to promote inclusivity in work communities.
Complementary or optional course for everyone.
Before taking this course, you must have completed Intercultural Competence and Communication or Cross-Cultural Issues in International Business taught by the LUT Business School or equivalent intercultural communication studies, as this is an advanced-level course.
The course is held 100% online twice a year, in the fall and spring.
The course is taught in English.

KM00BX75 Each one teach one, 3 ects

Students learn a language of their choice together with a native speaker.
Students work in pairs. They meet each other and plan together their teaching and learning schedule and topics. Teaching is tailored according to the proficiency levels and needs of the students.
Both students teach their mother tongue to their partner for 24 (contact) hours, study their target language for 24 (contact) hours and create teaching material, study independently and write a learning diary for 24 hours.
On completing the studies students arrange a meeting with the teacher and present their diary and show their target language skills.