“We have been awarded the Swedish medical faculties’ Prize for Internationalisation in Teaching and Learning of SEK 105,000. The entire unit has been behind an unusual approach, having the courage to opt out of exchanges in favour of other internationalisation activities. We are really swimming against the tide!”
Nadina Laurent has been course coordinator and initiator of a project in the Speech and Language Pathology Programme. A teacher has been employed specifically to teach and to deal with international contacts. The project is aimed at internationalisation for students internally, primarily through lectures and discussions with visiting lecturers from various countries and continents, as well as group assignments with study buddies. The work has been ongoing since 2015, when teaching activities were planned for the new Speech and Language Pathology Programme syllabus.
“From 2022, our new colleague Professor Ellika Schalling will be responsible for the activity,” says Laurent. “This will involve the intensification of the project, with more countries involved in the exchange; among other things, we are planning a student collaboration with India.”
It all sounds very exciting, and indeed unique: internationalisation without travel.
“There are two unique things about the project: firstly, we have included it in the programme syllabus and course syllabuses, so it is part of basic study for all classes; and secondly, we have chosen not to work with exchange to reduce our environmental impact,” explains Laurent.
By integrating internationalisation into the programme, the initiative not only promotes sustainability but also makes internationalisation more inclusive. All students enjoy the same opportunities for personal international experience.
“Generally speaking, only a limited group of students go on exchanges, such as those who already have experiences abroad, healthy finances and no children,” explains Laurent.
The prize money is earmarked for the performance of duties, development, participation in conferences and congresses and similar activities.
How will you be using the money?
“The teaching group is planning to visit a speech-language pathology programme in Europe during 2023 – one that is accessible by train, boat or bus – to exchange knowledge,” says Laurent. “The money will come in very handy for that.”