This document summarizes a presentation by Prof. Dr. Dirk Buyens on developing international and intercultural competencies. It discusses why these competencies are important in an increasingly globalized world. It identifies 5 core competencies: language skills, an outside-in perspective, multicultural reflexes, comfort with unfamiliar places, and understanding cultural facades. It also outlines 5 phases of intercultural encounters and provides practical tips for internationalizing education, such as language challenges, proximity to international students, and pragmatic solutions. Throughout, it draws on the presenter's personal experiences living and working abroad in several countries.

1. “THE WHY, WHAT AND HOW OF INTERNATIONAL,
INTERCULTURAL COMPETENCIES;
A PERSONAL POINT OF VIEW”
23 NOVEMBER 2016
PROF DR DIRK BUYENS VLERICK BUSINESS SCHOOL

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VALENCIA
Prof Dr Dirk Buyens
VALENCIA

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MINNESOTA
Prof Dr Dirk Buyens
MINNEAPOLIS

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BEIJING
Prof Dr Dirk Buyens
BEIJING

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SAINT-PETERSBURG
Prof Dr Dirk Buyens
ST PETERSBURG

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GENT – BRUSSEL - LEUVEN
Prof Dr Dirk Buyens

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“PERSONAL EXPERIENCE”
Having lived abroad
Valencia (3 months)
Minnesota (1 year)
Academic Dean at Vlerick Business School
30 to 80% international students on our Belgian campuses:
Ghent
Brussels
Leuven
Campus in St-Petersburg (closed over the last months)
Campus in Beijing/guest professor in Shanghai (SJTU)
Over the last 15 years: spent about 70 days abroad on a
yearly basis
Prof Dr Dirk Buyens

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WHY? : “THE TIMES THEY ARE CHANGING…”
The world is “flat”
vs.
The world will never be flat
From “add on” to “Olympic minimum”
“Being out there” is one thing, “having learned
something” is however the key question
Export product: the Belgian CEO
Prof Dr Dirk Buyens

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WHAT? : 5 CORE INTERNATIONAL
COMPETENCIES
1. Language skills (good enough beats perfect)
2. The outside-in-view
3. The Multi-ethnocentricity reflex
4. The Homelessness skill
5. The seeing through the cultural facade
Prof Dr Dirk Buyens

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5 PHASES OF INTERNATIONAL
“ENCOUNTERING”
1. I see the nationality
2. I see a human being like me but different
3. I see things I don’t understand
4. I start to see patterns
5. I … ?
Prof Dr Dirk Buyens

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HOW TO INTERNATIONALISE THE CURRICULUM?
“It is difficult to describe how ‘wet’ water is,
without diving into it…”
But we can give it a chance by:
The language challenge
The proximity advantage
The pragmatic solutions
Prof Dr Dirk Buyens

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HOW TO ADDRESS IT IN A LOCAL CONTEXT?
PRACTICAL TIPS
Read/watch (international/other local)
news(papers).
Boost the Erasmus experience even if you stay
home:
Have the internationals take the floor.
Inform yourself on ‘their’ background
Take internationals to your “home place”.
Look for any international
experience, but only leave
if you can “master” it.
Prof Dr Dirk Buyens

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HOW TO PREPARE: ‘IN ADVANCE’
Think it over before you decide
Learn the local language of where you go to
Jump when you feel you have to
There is no ‘right’ nor ‘wrong’ place in the world
to go to
Inform yourself on the place you go to
Get to know yourself
Prof Dr Dirk Buyens

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HOW TO BEHAVE ONCE YOU ARE THERE
Reach out, because they won’t
Show interest in them, and you will get interest
back
Look for similarities rather than stereotyping
differences
Work hard!!!
Open your mind
‘Act’ like a local
Engage yourself
Prof Dr Dirk Buyens

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WHAT IS LEFT WHEN YOU RETURN?
Everyone is interested in your story: (for 30’’)
Life went on, so don’t push yourself
The repatriation is much more troublesome:
leaving is easier than coming back
Behave ‘amongst’ your friends, not ‘above’
them
Reflect on yourself
Enjoy the memory
Take the space slowly
Prof Dr Dirk Buyens

16. THANK YOU!
DIRK.BUYENS@VLERICK.COM
Wish you a lovely international
experience!!!!