Abstract:

Increased mobility of students and pressures from global trends in education urge higher education institutions (HEIs) to place emphasis on internationalisation strategies and programmes that attract overseas students, prepare local students for mobilities and develop the intercultural dimension of home campuses for all students and staff. The ‘at home’ component of internationalisation strategies works on two complementary levels: implementing measures and actions that can be attractive and effective in providing education for incoming students and ensuring that less mobile (local) students can benefit from a campus with a global orientation in curriculum design, services offered and the social and cultural environment. International incoming students represent a strong asset for any university with a desire to develop an international campus at home. They can contribute to the multicultural and multilinguistic diversity of the campus while enjoying the new academic, social and cultural experience. A key factor and often a key objective of their successful academic experience is the development of intercultural competence. The present paper discusses how HEIs support international students in their student life, facilitate their social, academic and cultural integration. The particular case of a summer school for Romanian language and intercultural competence development is described, as an ingredient of good practices in internationalisation at home. International students who benefited showed increased sensitivity to the local academic, social and cultural environment, and were willing to impart their successful experience to prospective incoming students from their home cultural backgrounds. The study thus informs reflection on the role of incoming students in the international campus and the support HEIs can offer to them.

Keywords:

Internationalization, summer school, interculturality, language development.