Collaborating for a week with students from across Europe, partly online and partly on campus: that is the principle of the so-called Blended Intensive Programme (BIPs), an international educational format with great potential. Bachelors students of Business Administration travelled from Rosenheim to PXL University of Applied Sciences in Hasselt, to participate in this BIP on the topic of AI in global Business "What’s best about it? The people you get to know!" the international students say in unison.
During this BIP, students from Croatia, Malta, Belgium and Germany work intensively together in international teams. They combine online preparation with a physical week in Hasselt, where they attend classes from different disciplines such as IT and marketing. They then bring together the information from those lectures into a single project, which they present at the end of the week. "At the start you work somewhat separately, but then it all comes comes together quite naturally" says Nicholas Harmer from Malta.
The mix of nationalities creates a special dynamic. "Everyone thinks differently, and that's exactly what makes it interesting. We have different cultures and constantly learn from each other" says Martina Jančić. "I'm very loud and present, for example — typically Croatian", she laughs. "But you learn to deal with each other, and that's why I'm glad I did this."
As with any good study abroad experience, the social aspect plays a major role. After classes, the students explore the city together, from cafés to sporting activities like padel or bowling. "We really became friends here quickly" says Maite Mulders from Belgium. "We're already making plans to see each other again later, in Malta, Zagreb or Germany" adds Leonardo Nuara from Rosenheim, Technical University.
According to Jan Castermans, internationalization coordinator at PXL Digital and host of this BIP, that combination was deliberately designed. "We bring students from different study programmes together and also provide social activities. This helps to truly form a group, so they can collaborate smoothly on the project" he says.
Not an Erasmus exchange: The short format also explains why BIPs are becoming increasingly popular. Unlike a traditional Erasmus exchange, which lasts months, students only spend one week abroad here. "That lowers the threshold enormously" says Jan Castermans. Students who are hesitant, or for whom a longer period is not feasible can still gain an initial international experience this way. "Many participants say after such a week that they now feel motivated to undertake a longer Erasmus exchange" Castermans says.
The Rosenheim students were accompanied by Prof. Dr Carolin Fleischmann. TH Rosenheim thanks PXL Hasselt for organising this BIP and for integrating our students. We look forward to future collaborations!
Are you interested in international exchange programmes? You can now study business administration internationally too – take a look at the website!
