# Successful cross-cultural communication at Savonia - Savonia AMK

> Students from RheinMain UAS in Germany and Savonia UAS gathered in Kuopio to explore intercultural communication.

## The Summer School Premiere
Monday, August 26, 2024, was a day full of premieres! An interdisciplinary and international group of 12 students from RheinMain University of Applied Sciences (HSRM) in Germany and 9 students from Savonia University of Applied Sciences (Savonia UAS) in Finland met for the first time in Kuopio, Finland. 

The event was an intensive summer school week focusing on intercultural communication, competence, and theory. It was hosted by Savonia UAS and co-taught by four lecturers—two from Savonia UAS and two from HSRM—marking another premiere for the collaboration.

## Preparation and Cooperation
The summer school was the result of more than a year of intensive preparation between the Language Teaching Team of Savonia UAS, HSRM’s Center for Teaching and Learning (LLZ), and the International Offices of both universities. The collaboration involved developing course objectives, content, and assessment, organizing budgets and framework programs, managing administrative paperwork, coordinating participants, and arranging Erasmus funding. By the end of the week on Friday, August 30, feedback confirmed that the effort was a success for students, teachers, and organizers alike.

## Student Perspectives

### Nick Hinze (HSRM, Bachelor Business Informatics)
**– What was the most important benefit of this intensive week for you?**
“For me, it was so good to speak English the whole week. Even back at the hotel, I sometimes started speaking English with my German buddies. I would also like to add the different experiences we had together on and off campus. The Savonia Campus in Kuopio is super modern and good for group work outside the classroom.”

### Joni Puranen (Savonia UAS, Bachelor Energy Engineering)
**– What was the benefit of this intensive week for you?**
“Of course, using a foreign language was helpful for me. It took a few days to get used to it, but by the end of the week it was quite normal to speak English. Also, the mix of cultures within the group meant that you had to adapt and understand the different styles of studying and learning, and to not judge when someone does something you are not used to. I also learned about some of the reasons behind the different behaviors of different people.”

### Emina Manic (HSRM, Bachelor Business Administration)
**– Why did you attend this intensive week and what were the benefits for you?**
“I participated in this intensive week because I am thinking about going abroad for a semester or a year. I thought that this week might encourage me to actually do it, and it did. I met a lot of nice people and learned about Finnish and Nordic culture. The topics of this intensive week were interesting and I got a lot of new information for my studies and future. This week was really exciting and a nice experience.”

### Zara Marium (Savonia UAS, Bachelor International Business)
**– Why did you participate in this intensive week and how did you benefit from it?**
“I was excited when I heard about this intensive week. I did a similar intensive week last fall, so I already knew that it was a good opportunity to meet new people and learn something new. For me, these kinds of weeks are more interesting than normal classes. I have learned new things and methods that are useful for my future. For example, I learned how to communicate better internationally. Last but not least, I met nice people.”

## Conclusion
In summary, all participants—teachers and students alike—noted that the many life skills learned in working and communicating with the summer school participants from different cultures was one of the most important takeaways from the week.

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**Writers and interviewers:** Iina Räisänen and Juuso Leskinen (students at Savonia UAS and participants of the intensive week)
**Additional information provided by:** Sanna Savela (Language Teaching Team, Savonia UAS), Anna-Janina Wittan (LLZ, HSRM)