Facts and figures
The programme at a glancePart of School
Programme information
A view of the study programmeAbout the programme
The international competence
Internationalisation is not a purpose in itself. It is a means to prepare students for learning, living and working in an intercultural society and an international labour market. Due to migration, increasing mobility and technological developments, our living and working environments have become increasingly diverse. Nowadays, we are regularly in contact with people from different linguistic and cultural backgrounds, and many organisations deal with international clients, products or services on a daily basis. An international experience is therefore often linked to gaining competences for global citizenship and employability in a globalised labour market. In the context of internationalisation we call this international competence, which refers to three overarching learning outcomes that students can obtain through international activities.
Method
The way we work within this programme:
The lectures will be both online and off line and will contain theory and (individual and group) assignments. The international project will be an internship, voluntary work or research.
Type of assessment
The programme has been divided into five modules and you will get marks per module through a portfolio consisting of either presentations, assignments, papers or a reflection paper. Some assignments may be realised in working groups and in principle each member will receive the same mark. Other assignments will be done individually.
Learning outcomes
There are three overarching learning outcomes that students can obtain through international activities:
- Intercultural competence: Students have the knowledge, attitudes and skills that enable them to interact successfully with people from diverse (linguistic and cultural) backgrounds.
- International orientation: Students are informed about and engaged with, international organisations, topics and perspectives on:
- Societal and global issues, such as inclusion, refugees, climate change, sustainability and supranational institutions such as the European Union.
- Disciplines and professions, such as international knowledge, techniques and perspectives on how to perform one’s profession and on international updates about one’s profession.
- Legal problems arising in the area of international business.
- International economics, such as economic growth, unemployment, protectionism, integration, exchange rate systems, fiscal and monetary policies, economics behind Brexit or trade conflicts between China and USA.
- Personal qualities: An international experience can contribute to personal development and growth, such as becoming more independent, self-aware, flexible and adaptable. These competences are not merely acquired through, or relevant to, international contexts. However, they can be vital to the success of an international experience, as well as enhanced through such an experience.
Calendar
Week | Activity |
1 | Introduction and classes |
2- 8 | Classes |
9 | Wrap up of assignments for modules, last preparations for international project |
10 - 18 | International project (abroad or in the Netherlands) |
19 | Farewell lunch and assessment meetings international project |
Awarding
After completing your exchange programme at Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences, you will receive a:
- Transcript of records
Subjects
An indication of the subjects you can expectBlock 1
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International context (4 ECTS)
International context (4 ECTS)
Topics
- General introduction
- Cooperation between states
- International Organisations (INGO's)
- European Union
- Lobbying
Learning material
- Articles handed out in class Europe in 12 lessons, Pascal Fontaine
Learning outcomes
After this course you will be able to:
- Understand the highly integrated form of cooperation between states in the European Union (EU) and research and interpret one policy area (chosen by the student) that falls under the mandate of the EU.
- Demonstrate insights in the meaning of the role of the state and how and why states work together and apply important concepts and terminology on negotations between states.
- Research, analyse and evaluate the bilateral and multilateral relations of a state (chosen by the student) and the impact of those relations on the government, the economy and the society.
- Explore and negotiate possible soluations to a state-transcending policy challenge.
- Develop and defend opinions on the objectives and functioning of international cooperation between states by means of critical analysis of literature and articles.
Type of assessment
Portfolio, consisting of e.g. an individual product, a research assignment for which you write a short paper. The weekly assignments that you will have to deliver with your group will help you with your research and writing this paper. Students who miss more than two sessions will fail this course.
-
International economics (4 ECTS)
International economics (4 ECTS)
This course will further raise your knowledge of international economics that is indispensable for a person working in an international context, either in a company or NGO. You will learn to use important theories and indicators in order to analyse economic developments of various countries.
Topics
- Economic growth
- Unemployment
- Protectionism
- Integration
- Exchange rate systems
- Fiscal and monetary policies
- Other current topics such as Brexit, trade conflicts between China and the USA
Learning materials
- Lecturer’s PPT slides and handouts
- McConnel et al. 'Economics' 21st edition. MacGraw Hill.
Learning outcomes
After this course you will be able to:
- Understand strategic business decisions of companies and NGO's.
- Analyse key economic indicators in order to discuss the economic situation of a country.
- Understand the decisions of governments and be able to evaluate the impact of those policies on national and international economy.
Type of assessment
- Weekly group assignments (50%)
- Final individual assignment on a topic of choice (50%)
-
Culture, e.g. cultural differences (4 ECTS)
Culture, e.g. cultural differences (4 ECTS)
Topics
- The importance and often determining role in mutual relations of culture from the perception of government, business or citizens;
- What is culture;
- How to be culturally effective. Therefore, we will use different theories and modules to describe culture on a national level and your own individual culture.
Learning materials (1/2)
Recommended:
- Hofstede, G. Hofstede, GJ and Minkov, M., Cultures and Organizations: Software of the Mind. Revised and expanded 3rd Edition. New York: McGraw-Hill USA, 2010. ISBN 978-0-07-166418-9.
- Trompenaars, F. 7 Dimensions of culture: https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/seven-dimensions.htm
- Solomon, S and Schell M (2009), Managing Across Cultures: The 7 Keys to Doing Business with a Global Mindset, ISBN: 9780071605854, US: McGraw-Hill
- Hall, E. T. Cultural Factors: http://changingminds.org/explanations/culture/hall_culture.htm
- Meyer, Erin (2014), The culture map: Breaking Through the Invisible Boundaries of Global Business, ISBN 10: 1610392507 or ISBN 13: 9781610392501: The Perseus Books Group
- Additional articles
Learning outcomes
- Being able to work in culturally diverse teams
- Having insight in one's own culture
Type of assessment
- Class lecture given with group (pass/fail)
- Short video on cultural differences in your own surroundings/life (pass/fail)
- Presentation Wegoman case (max 10 points)
- Active participation (pass/fail)
- Reflection report, comparing results of all the individual tests on culture and your expectations with your experience during the www programme (max 10 points)
The course is assessed by means of a portfolio, consisting of the elements mentioned above. The module needs to be passed by a 5.5. All elements are compulsory.
-
International law (4 ECTS)
International law (4 ECTS)
Topics
- Introduction to European law;
- The purpose of European law;
- What are problems that businesses must address because of European law;
- How are the people who work for a business impacted by European law;
- What are possible solutions to the problems that businesses have;
- A business should choose one solution and address it;
- What are the pros and cons of the soluation addressing solutions one at a time?
Learning materials
- Wevers H. A basic guide to international business law, 5th Edition
- Powerpoints and handouts given by the lecturers
Learning outcomes
- Student will gain knowledge of the history and organisation of the European Union (a supranational organisation), so that the student:
- Can recognise what is a supranational organisation.
- Is able to recognize the function of a supranational organisation.
- Student will gain knowledge of the operation and legislation of the European Union, so that the student:
- Can find (initiatives for) EU policy and legislation and analyse them.
- By doing so create opportunities and limit threats for an organisation.
- Student will gain knowledge of how businesses are impacted by the operation of a supranational organisation, so that the student:
- Can report on relevant international aspects for a business.
- Can advise on relevant international aspects for a business.
Type of assessment
Portfolio including assignments
Block 2
-
International project (14 ECTS)
International project (14 ECTS)
You will carry out an international project of eight to ten weeks. This project can have different forms, e.g. a research project, voluntary work, language study or traineeship at a Dutch organisation.
Topics
- Apply theory of the 4 modules in practice: internship, research or voluntary work or project
Learning materials
- None
Learning outcomes
- Experience working and living abroad.
Please note
Foreign students carry out their project in the Netherlands. It is possible for students to carry out their project in a different country, except for in their home country. At the beginning of the WWW programme, you should already start to look for a possible project. You will tell your fellow students how you have prepared for and experienced your international project in presentations in class.
After your study programme
Career Perspectives
Working World Wide gets you prepared for an international career by providing a theoretical background and ways and means of applying this background in day-to-day reality.
Practical matters
What you need to knowLocation Kralingse Zoom
Where you can find us
