Presentation about short term international student projects. In particular about projects that involve cooperation between students of different universities in different countries. The presentation is about some practical examples of such projects and deals with success factors. Text of a webinar held for Time2Teach in Russia.

1. Kom verder. Saxion.
Successfactors for international
student projects
Jacques Bazen,
Lecturer International Economics

2. Kom verder. Saxion.
International student projects
• Why organize them?
• What can be the result for students?
• How to organize them?

3. Kom verder. Saxion.
International student projects
Why organize them?
- Developing contacts with companies or NGOs.
- Making education more interactive for both
students and lecturers
- Giving students real life experience in
international business during their
study period

4. Kom verder. Saxion.
Projects as part of education vision

5. Kom verder. Saxion.
International student projects - Examples
First Autumn Business School Netherlands - Russia
Saxion, Enschede (NL)
cooperating
with
Herzen State
Pedagogical University,
St. Petersburg (RU)

6. Kom verder. Saxion.
Cluj-Napoca,
Romania
2021 Cultural
Capital of Europe
International student projects - Examples
Saxion, Enschede (NL)
cooperating
with
Babes Bolyai
University, Cluj (RO)

7. Kom verder. Saxion.
Narva, Estonia
redevelopment of
Kreenholm area:
Watermanagement
International student projects - Examples
Saxion, Enschede (NL)
cooperating
with
Narva College,
University of Tartu (EE)

8. Kom verder. Saxion.
International student projects
Benefits:
• It is good for companies because of the possibilities
to scout new talent and develop their business
• It is good for universities because of getting relevant
input from the working field and good PR.
• It is good for the students because of the application
of what they have learned in practice: Better
competences for their CV.

9. Kom verder. Saxion.
International student projects
• Problem: Time… & Reliable partners…
• Necessary: Strong decision from the management
of universities to invest in organizing such
projects
• Necessary for companies: Willingness to invest
time to help young people.

10. Kom verder. Saxion.
International student projects
• Problem for universities: How to make good
appointments with university partners?
• Necessary: Agreement about Intended Learning
Outcomes. Crucial!
(Many other issues can be organized differently
according to culture / rules of the partners
involved).

11. Kom verder. Saxion.
Necessity of projects: What companies tell us
How well are Dutch students prepared
for the labor market?
Very poor
Poor
Reasonable
Good
0% mentions
Very good…
Still work to do!
Less than 50%
satisfied
Source: Factsheet 2013 DNHK.org

12. Kom verder. Saxion.
International student projects
• More challenging for lecturers…unpredictable
results in reality…the project seldom follows the
book.

13. Kom verder. Saxion.
International student projects
• Great material for research, especially if there is
close cooperation between international groups
of students.

14. Kom verder. Saxion.
International student projects
• Example of research: Cluj 2021 Cultural capital
• Research still in progress… interesting
preliminary finding: Dutch students report
usually a DECREASE in their perceived abilities to
solve an international problem…
• They reported to have overestimated their
abilities in the beginning.

15. Kom verder. Saxion.
International student projects
• One of the projects of Saxion with Russia was the
so called Autumn Business School (2nd edition is
running now)
• Some research results into the effects on
students

16. Kom verder. Saxion.
International student projects
• Some conclusions of this research:
(entire article can be obtained from author if desired, or downloaded from
ResearchGate)
• Students were happy to make the aquaintance
with the students from abroad.
• Students reported that this activity was very
useful
• Students reported that they felt they really
learned something.

17. Kom verder. Saxion.
International student projects

18. Kom verder. Saxion.
Autumn Business School 2014
• 2nd round now running!
• Main partners:

19. Kom verder. Saxion.
Autumn Business School 2014
• Client:

20. Kom verder. Saxion.
Autumn Business School 2014
Website: www.autumnbusinessschool.org

21. Kom verder. Saxion.
Autumn Business School 2014
New idea: Platform for Virtual exchange…
Student driven project, with coaching & guidance
from lecturers.
Helping a Dutch company to be active in Russia.

22. Kom verder. Saxion.
Autumn Business School 2014
Product

23. Kom verder. Saxion.
Autumn Business School
• Preliminary findings: Students perceive to have learned
as much about doing business in the 2nd virtual
mobility edition as in the first edition which involved
physical mobility.
• Students perceive less development of their social &
intercultural skills as with physical mobility.
• Lecturers found it more difficult in the virtual edition
to influence group processes.

24. Kom verder. Saxion.
All suggestions for discussion and improvement
are very welcome!
We are experimenting and are looking for input
and best practices!
Please contact: j.c.bazen@saxion.nl