The INN model

Why do universities facilitate student exchange?

The short answer is: We want our students to achieve intercultural competence; that they should become better at communicating across cultural differences, because they need these skills in today's multicultural society and global working life.

At the same time, research shows that very few people develop these skills without guidance.

In the Georgtown consortium Project, Vande Berg, Connor-Linton and Page (2009) studied the effect of exchange stays (of different durations) on students' intercultural learning.

1,297 exchange students from 61 study programs participated in the study (2003-2007) and the main conclusion was as follows:

What can we do differently?

Intercultural learning starts with awareness of your own cultural filter; of how you construct and experience the world in a cultural and social context.

You develop intercultural competence by:

• being exposed to cultural differences
• by reflecting on how you and others experience the world
• and by practicing stepping out of your usual framework of experience and trying to experience from other perspectives

This requires facilitation and guidance (before, during and after the exchange).

The INN model is devloped by Gunnar F. Klinge, gunnar.klinge@inn.no, Head of international affairs and lecturer in intercultur communication, to help you develop your intercultural communications skills while studying abroad.

The INN model consists of three parts:

After arrival/part of start-up

Boarding seminar:

• WHAT is intercultural communication?
• WHY is it important?
• HOW do we get better at communicating across cultural differences?
• Guide to intercultural competence development.

During exchange

Reflection tasks:

1. My diverse cultural identity; Name your seven most important cultural groups and one or two values you got from each of these groups. 
2. Learning zones; What is your comfort zone, learning zone and panic zone? And what can you do to handle these in the best possible way?
3. Stereotypes/visible and invisible culture; What did you know about Norwegians and Norway before you came to Norway on exchange? List four stereotypes about Norwegians you are curious to explore during exchange. 
4. Cultural glasses; How do we develop awareness of our own and others' cultural glasses? Formulate a concrete goal for your intercultural development during exchange.
5. Reverse culture shock; What are the typical challenges upon returning home and how can you prepare to deal with them?

Before departure

• Seminar with Story Circles; sharing personal stories and gaining insight into fellow students' stories and experiences.
• Revisiting Norwegian stereotypes at the end of the exchange semester.
• Course certificate for everyone who has completed the model (leccture, workshop and all assignments with a pass grade).

For more information please contact: gunnar.klinge@inn.no