Developing New Skills
The Power of Short-Term Study Abroad Programmes
When considering study abroad experiences for students, it's easy to slip into the conventional mindset that longer is better. Guido de Wilde would like to challenge that notion. His experiences as a trainer for two innovative summer schools, INCiTE and NICE, demonstrate that short-term programmes can be just as transformative in developing 21st-century skills.
INCiTE: A Short but Impactful Study Abroad Journey
I had the honour of training students in intercultural competence at INCiTE, a two-week programme co-created by the University of Edinburgh, the University of Amsterdam, Nanyang Technological University Singapore, and the University of Sydney. Hosted this year by the National University of Management in Phnom Penh, the program annually equips 150 students with critical skills for today's job market such as problem-solving, international entrepreneurship, and social innovation.
Designed to offer an international experience equivalent to a semester exchange, INCiTE is particularly well-suited for students who might face challenges traveling or studying abroad long-term, such as those with specialized learning needs, disabilities, or financial constraints.
NICE: Sustainable Solutions in a Compact Format
The NICE programme offers a unique hybrid experience, combining a 12-week virtual journey with a one week in-person summer school experience, this year hosted by the Università degli Studi di Padova (UNIPD) in Italy. Like INCiTE, it engages students in multicultural, interdisciplinary teams. What sets NICE apart is its use of the Transition Cycle, a methodology designed to turn students into change agents by helping them envision, act upon, and assess systemic changes.
Why Short-Term Programmes Matter
Both INCiTE and NICE prove that compact, intensive experiences can effectively cultivate skills like intercultural competence and collaborative problem-solving. These programmes offer not only skill development but also expanded international networks and fresh perspectives, all in a more accessible time frame.
In conclusion, as educators preparing students for the 21st-century workforce, we must expand our understanding of what impactful international experiences can be. Short-term programmes like INCiTE and NICE provide life-changing experiences that are content-rich and remarkably efficient. Let's not underestimate their potential in shaping the global citizens of tomorrow.