Host University: 
Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek – HR OSIJEK01

Host Faculty: 
Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Computer Science and IT Osijek - FERIT

Partner Universities:  
"1 Decembrie 1918" University of Alba Iulia, Romania, RO ALBAIU01
Technical University of Varna, Bulgaria, BG VARNA02

Practical info:   
Student center school   Bus  directions_bus  Train train  Social events  group

 

Understand and adapt to cultural differences

•    identify how cultural differences influence communication styles and professional interactions
•    apply strategies to navigate and mitigate cross-cultural miscommunication effectively

Develop professional communication skills

•    write clear, concise, and culturally appropriate professional emails and reports
•    communicate confidently in professional settings such as interviews, client meetings, and team discussions

Enhance teamwork and collaboration

•    demonstrate effective collaboration strategies in multicultural teams
•    analyze teamwork dynamics and apply techniques to foster inclusive and productive group interactions

Strengthen leadership and decision-making abilities

•    identify leadership styles and adapt them to diverse cultural contexts
•    apply decision-making techniques to solve workplace challenges collaboratively

Master public speaking and conflict resolution

•    deliver well-structured and engaging speeches tailored to a professional audience
•    handle difficult conversations and resolve workplace conflicts with cultural awareness and sensitivity

Build networking and presentation skills

•    craft and deliver effective elevator pitches tailored to professional goals
•    present ideas clearly and persuasively, incorporating feedback to refine delivery and content

Reflect on personal growth and skill development

•    evaluate their communication and soft skills progress throughout the course
•    develop a personalized action plan for applying these skills in real-world professional contexts

DAY 1 - Introduction and basics

•    Welcome and orientation: brief overview of the course goals, schedule, and expected outcomes.
•    Icebreaker activity: "Cultural Bingo": students find others who match specific cultural traits or experiences.
•    Reflection: how do cultural differences influence communication styles?
•    Workshop: understanding professional English
•    Key concepts: direct vs. indirect communication.
•    Activity: case study analysis on miscommunication in cross-cultural settings.
•    Roleplay: students act out common misunderstandings due to cultural differences and discuss solutions.

DAY 2 - Professional communication skills

•    Workshop: Writing professional emails and reports
•    Roleplay scenarios: job interviews, client meetings, and team discussions.
•    Feedback: focus on language use, clarity, and cultural appropriateness.
•    Peer review: students exchange and critique each other’s written or spoken tasks.

DAY 3 - Soft skills for global professionals

•    Session: teamwork and collaboration in multicultural settings
•    Activity: escape room challenge (students solve a series of puzzles in teams).
•    Debrief: discussion on teamwork dynamics, roles, and communication strategies.
•    Workshop: leadership skills and decision-making
•    Mini-lecture: leadership styles and their cultural variations.
•    Case study: analyze a real-world example of a successful leader in their field.
•    Group activity: decision-making simulation (e.g., solving a workplace problem).

DAY 4 - Advanced communication and public speaking

•    Workshop: public speaking techniques
•    Activity: students practice delivering a prepared speech.
•    Session: handling difficult conversations and conflict resolution
•    Simulation: students act out conflict resolution scenarios (e.g., workplace disagreements or cultural misunderstandings).

DAY 5 - Application and reflection

•    Session: effective networking and building connections
•    Mini-lecture: how to introduce yourself in professional settings.
•    Workshop: crafting an elevator pitch tailored to their goals.
•    Individual or group presentations on a topic of their choice related to the week’s lessons.
•    Feedback: detailed critique focusing on content, delivery, and cultural awareness.
 

METHODS 

Interactive workshops
Hands-on sessions to introduce key concepts and techniques, allowing participants to learn through guided practice.

Case studies
Real-world scenarios to analyze communication challenges and solutions, fostering critical thinking and application.

Roleplay activities
Simulations of professional situations (e.g. interviews, meetings, conflicts) to practice and refine communication strategies in a safe environment.

Collaborative activities
Team-based tasks, such as an escape room challenge or decision-making simulations, to build teamwork and problem-solving skills.

Ice-breakers and warm-ups
Engaging activities like “Cultural Bingo” to build rapport, encourage participation, and introduce cultural topics.

Mini-lectures
Concise presentations to provide theoretical grounding on topics like leadership styles, direct vs. indirect communication, and professional etiquette.

Peer review
Participants exchange written or spoken tasks and provide constructive feedback, enhancing critical evaluation and self-awareness.

Simulations
Scenarios designed to mimic real-world challenges (e.g. handling workplace disagreements or delivering professional speeches) to practice advanced skills.

Individual and group presentations
Opportunities to synthesize and present what participants have learned, with feedback on content, delivery, and cultural appropriateness.

Reflection
Guided discussions after activities to analyze what was learned, identify areas for improvement, and connect insights to real-life applications.

Mentorship and feedback
Regular, detailed feedback from the lead instructor and peers to refine skills and boost confidence in communication.

Multimedia integration
Use of videos, audio recordings, and online tools to demonstrate concepts, facilitate practice, and enhance engagement.

Gamified elements
Incorporation of fun, game-based elements like quizzes or challenges to maintain energy and motivation throughout the course.



ASSESSMENT 

Participation and engagement
Evaluation of participants’ active involvement in workshops, roleplays, and discussions.
Observation checklists to track engagement and collaboration.

Portfolio assessment
Assessment of participants portfolio of tasks completed during the course, such as emails, case study analyses, and elevator pitches.

Instructor’s feedback
Ongoing, formative feedback after activities, focusing on strengths and areas for improvement.

Final presentation
Participants’ individual or group presentations on a topic related to the course, focusing on content, delivery, and integration of course concepts.
Instructor’s feedback and peer evaluations.