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Although Digital Transformation (DX) initiatives have been needed since the 2010s, the design of digital information systems can be influenced by both business and technology aspects and have a significant impact on the attractiveness of services. However, there is a lack of design science research in this area. In addition, the design of information systems often consists of multiple individuals with diverse capabilities, and methods that effectively utilize diverse perspectives are needed to design attractive solutions. The authors are conducting research on the application of support systems, "Creative and inventive Design Support System (CDSS)" in engineering to methodologies that support design (conceptual design)in the information systems field. This paper validates the effectiveness in global Project Based Learning (PBL)using a "CDSSforDX" that incorporates Storytelling, and Digital Business and DX strategy into the problem understanding phase of CDSS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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This paper explores the importance and impact of DNA databases in forensic investigations. It responds to a recent publication by Kostiuchenko, Vynohradova, Sereda, Svoboda, and Polunina (2024), highlighting challenges in setting up and using DNA databases. These challenges include logistical, staffing, legal, security, growth, public interest, and international cooperation issues. By examining South Africa's successful NFDD implementation, the authors stress the need for thorough planning and implementing a comprehensive value chain. Drawing insights from South Africa's successful NFDD implementation, the authors emphasise the importance of meticulous planning and implementing a value chain. This value chain should cover DNA evidence collection, follow-up investigations, and presenting evidence in court. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The countries of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) have only recently discovered their modern industrial heritage as an object of conservation and future development. Through an in-depth analysis of four industrial sites in Egypt and Iran, testifying to a designated modern era, this article documents the complex historical process of industrialization and its political and economic background. Building on fieldwork, archive studies, workshops, and interviews, the article explores how built structures of modern industrial sites signify the multi-facetted, symbiotic, and exploitative international exchange behind the modernization of economies in the region. In the face of many obstacles to the conservation of this heritage, ranging from incomplete listings and ineffectual policies to high development pressures on urban land, this article aims to transcend the current Eurocentrism in industrial heritage research and practice, and encourage regional claims on this significant heritage.

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The article examines the essential features, deep causes and main forms of inflation as a multifactorial phenomenon that inevitably accompanies the economic development of almost all countries of the world. It is shown that the sources and consequences of inflation are not only of a monetary nature, but rather are deeply rooted in structural problems and affect directly and indirectly the totality of social relations. It is noted that the nature of inflation is rooted in the social conflict regarding the distribution of the social product between different social groups of the society. It is justified that inflation itself is complex and heterogeneous in its causes of origin, general features of the inflationary process, its mechanism of action, and consequences. It is argued that inflation is a monetary phenomenon, as it is caused by an excess of money in circulation. However, it should be noted that non-monetary factors can also be the cause of inflation. Regardless of the area in which inflation originates – monetary or non-monetary – monetary and non-monetary factors are interdependent, as they interact in a reproductive process. It is emphasized that one of the driving forces of the inflationary mechanism is the unevenness of price increases, as a result of which some economic subjects are interested in the existence of inflation. It is found that the nature of the national economy and the market has a significant impact on the inflationary process. The dominance of monopolistic structures of the economy, the majority of imperfect competition in the markets is a favorable environment in which inflationary tendencies are quite easily picked up and become strengthened. It is identified that inflationary processes of the national economy can also arise as a result of international exchange, through the price mechanism of foreign trade, when the increase in the price of imported resources creates an impulse for inflationary costs within the country.

The search for knowledge, technologies and education abroad is growing exponentially. The exchange is a direct way to consolidate skills that favor the evolution for our country of origin and the advancement of society. Brazil is a country with world-renowned agriculture and livestock, therefore, there are individuals interested in exchange abroad in search of acquiring skills in these sectors, to apply in their areas of activity, whether in research, development, extension or teaching. In this sense of importance, the exchange is a relevant experience for the personal and professional scope, however, the exchange student needs to be prepared for changes in lifestyle, be psychologically prepared and willing to face adverse situations. This article consists of a literature review and aims to present characteristics and skills that can be acquired or improved by exchange students in the agricultural sector, touching personal and professional issues. The characteristics and skills acquired or improved in an agricultural exchange are beneficial for the participant, being able to apply what was learned in their work environment. The English language is important for a better placement in the job market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Current global uncertainties such as increasing socio-economic and political difficulties have amplified the significance of researching the nature of international social work education. This pilot study collaboratively investigated the educational characteristics of international social work curricula in Asia to identify the prevailing conditions related to this discipline. Data were collected in February 2023 at an international academic forum that included presentations delivered by researchers from five Asian countries. An exploratory and qualitative-descriptive analysis was performed to identify the contexts and contents of curricula related to international social work. The study findings elucidated the need to explore curricula that may differ from mainstream syllabi taught in international social work education programmes in Western countries. The findings of this study underscore the importance of dialogic processes and continual collaborative research projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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During the global COVID pandemic, the importance of professionals in the health care sector has been put in a new light, including pharmacists. In this context, the focus is also on how pharmacists are trained in different countries. Through an exchange of pharmacy teaching staff from a German to a Vietnamese university, the pharmacy education programs in both countries were compared. Aspects such as access to studies, structure of studies, and further training opportunities were considered. Differences and similarities emerged. In both countries, students first acquire basic knowledge and then delve deeper into pharmaceutical content in main studies. There is, expectedly, a great overlap in the content of the courses. Overall, the education at Vietnamese universities seems to be more practice-oriented due to a large number of placements. This also allows a specialization, which can be pursued in Germany with self-interest after graduation. There, the preparation for everyday work in the community pharmacy is separated from the university by a mandatory practical year. For the future, efforts are being made in both countries to strengthen the importance of clinical pharmacy in the curriculum. To this end, the Vietnamese are taking their inspiration from abroad in many cases, including Germany. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article examines the historical origins of the formation of gravity modeling and its use in the study of the intensity of international trade. It is emphasized that the driving forces of international exchange and the search for optimal policy ways of its implementation are based on classical theories of international trade. They are based on a liberal approach to deny the need for state restrictions on the free flow of goods between countries in order to regulate the volume, structure and directions of the country's foreign trade. The contribution of outstanding economists to the development of the theoretical and methodological foundations of the construction of gravity models of international exchange is considered. The features of their application for empirical research in the field of international trade are characterized. Factors affecting international trade flows are identified. An analysis of theoretical and methodological approaches to the formation of an effective gravity model of foreign trade was carried out based on the search for factors that influence it and contribute to the intensification of international trade flows between partner countries. The specificity of the involvement of new additional variables in gravity models is shown. It is emphasized that the bifurcation processes taking place in the modern globalized world form new conditions of international exchange. Attention is focused on the fact that such a situation necessitates the further development of theoretical and methodological bases for forecasting the volume of international trade based on the identification of cause-and-effect dependencies and spatio-temporal relationships. The conducted review of the history of gravity modeling, its use in studies of the international trade intensity, the contribution of prominent economists to the deepening of the theoretical and methodological foundations of the of international exchange gravity models construction showed quite wide opportunities for their further improvement based on taking into account the factors that influence the volume of bilateral trade. It was investigated that the problems are: 1) Selection of variables of the gravity model from the side of export and import for its adaptation to modern conditions of the world trade. The bifurcation processes taking place in the modern globalized world form new conditions of international exchange. 2) Gravitational models are empirical models built on liberal and neoliberal theories of international economic relations. In the conditions of globalization, a high level of interaction and interdependence of countries, the intensification of international trade flows, the movement of resources from a weaker trading partner to rich and powerful states means the flow of resources from underdeveloped and poor countries to stronger and richer ones. Gravitational models of international trade are a reflection and improvement of this process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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International exchanges have become increasingly common. Although it is an explicit goal of exchange programs that exchange students immerse in another culture and learn to feel like a local, there is no systematic research on the development of one's social identity during the exchange year. A longitudinal study with German high school students who spend an exchange year in the United States investigates the trajectories of social identification, identity integration of primary and secondary cultural identities, and well-being longitudinally at three measurement times (before departure, N = 556, 3 months, N = 210, and 6 months after arrival, N = 178). As social support is suggested to be an important resource, multilevel analyses tested the impact of three subcomponents of social support (i.e., emotional, instrumental, and compatibility-informational support) on the individual trajectories. It was found that social identification and identity integration increased over time, whereas well-being was high across all times. Identity integration mediated the positive effect of social identification on well-being. Moreover, emotional support was positively related to well-being and compatibility-informational support was positively related to identity integration. Instrumental support fostered early identity integration but diminished its slope when applied at later times. The present data demonstrate that an exchange year stimulates the development of the social self-concept, which is relevant for well-being. Moreover, it shows that the right kind of social support at the right time can foster this development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports on evidence-based teaching practice carried out in teacher training within the International Virtual Exchange Project (IVEProject). The IVEProject has involved more than 30,000 students and 600 teachers from 25 countries in Virtual Exchange (VE) since 2015. In the two 2021 exchanges, we conducted research to identify issues teachers face when they participate in this VE, and to identify possible tools and practical help to solve problems teachers have. A further goal was to identify teachers' cognition and practices associated with students' successful participation in the exchange. First-time teachers were asked to complete questionnaires which produced both quantitative and qualitative data. Other data came from two participating teachers who wrote a weekly journal as they progressed through the exchange. Finally, we used logs from the website to analyse teachers' use of the site. Unsurprisingly, the study found that teachers require focused training to facilitate their participation, but the type, amount and style of training varied depending on a number of teacher traits and the environments in which they worked. Many teachers want their students to interact with others around the world but are still not confident in bringing themselves and their students into an international setting. The study identified the issues that the participating teachers had. The paper concludes with a discussion, based on participants' data, of ways in which organisers can help teachers in future VE to address these issues to improve their own and students' participation and outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The United Arab Emirates' education policy agenda is focused on a singular goal: to be one of the top 20 countries in PISA 2022. The focus on PISA has become so robust in the UAE that it is now a central component of teachers' professional development. This article explores teachers' sensemaking of dominant education policy discourses through their experience in an internationally sited professional development program in Vietnam – a country whose 2015 PISA performance inspired the education policy reform in the UAE. The findings presented in this article highlight teachers' deficit framing of difference and their performative adoption of STREAM-focused practices to replicate Vietnam's 2015 PISA scores. This article concludes with recommendations for future research to better understand the ways in which dominant discourses inform teachers' professional development, and opportunities to expand teachers' roles in the policymaking process.

Copyright of Journal of Education Research (1680-6360) is the property of Angle Publishing Co., Ltd. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Summary: This article examines the local impact of citizen diplomacy through the case study of a volunteer-driven citizen diplomacy organisation Global Ties Kalamazoo (GTKzoo) based in Kalamazoo, Michigan (United States). Drawing on the data from 25 in-depth interviews with GTKzoo volunteers, this study demonstrates that citizen diplomats view citizen diplomacy as more authentic compared to traditional diplomacy. Representation as a key component of citizen diplomacy is also discussed, with GTKzoo volunteers struggling to reconcile their desire to 'show the good parts of America' with their understanding that 'the good parts' alone are not giving visitors a complete picture. This study also introduces two approaches to assessing the local impact of citizen diplomacy — instrumental and reflexive. The study concludes that the reflexive approach dominates citizen diplomats' discussions as they focus on learning from the visitors, feeling inspired to be better community members, and seeing their local community through a more nuanced perspective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mobility experiences in higher education are usually met with great enthusiasm and are often described as sources of (transformative) learning. At the same time, less optimistic perspectives are brought forward by scholars who question the intrinsic value of international mobility in terms of encouraging personal growth and the acquisition of an intercultural and international mindset. In this article, retrospective accounts of Erasmus alumni, gathered several years after their sojourn, are analysed to understand the extent to which engaging in an international exchange during one's university years can have long-lasting and transformative learning effects. The findings indicate that participating in an Erasmus exchange can indeed enhance personal growth and lead to transformative learning. Such an experience can give rise to significant changes in young people's future decisions that may involve, for instance, more internationally oriented aspirations, a better understanding of cultural diversity, or an interest in engaging with new international experiences, as a result of the initial Erasmus exchange. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concept of free trade is more than 200 years old with economists Adam Smith and Abbé de Condillac both arguing in 1776 the merits of trade that was free from government regulation and constraints. From that point forward, mainstream economists have maintained that economies unencumbered by government impediments, such as tariffs and quotas, function more efficiently and effectively. Free trade in practice, however, does not always benefit every party involved, particularly in the absence of competition. This analysis: a) defines free trade; b) examines the support for and challenges to the economic strategy from both a theoretical economic, and allegedly more practical, perspective; and c) compares the global worldview on free trade to biblical perspectives to determine whether there is biblical support for this economic policy. To evaluate the biblical perspectives on free trade, this paper considers broad biblical concepts that encompass the issues of regulation versus liberalization of trade policy. The paper specifically focuses on biblical directives to care for vulnerable populations, such as women in developing countries and foreign laborers, when it examines the impact of free trade. It concludes that for free trade to be biblical, participants must commit to and honor biblical principles, including caring for those in need, paying a reasonable wage, and serving God with the wealth and profits accumulated. Adhering to these principles can mitigate the negative consequences that are sometimes associated with free trade. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Student mobility programmes have become a valuable instrument in student education as they enable the acquisition of essential knowledge, skills and attitudes, and equip the individual more effectively to work in the globalised world. The aim of the study was to examine the impact of international exchange programmes on the personal and professional development of undergraduate nursing students. Methods: A quantitative secondary analysis was conducted. The primary data were collected in 2016 as part of the study entitled International Nursing Student Exchange – Comparison Between Slovene and Foreign Students. The sample in the secondary analysis consisted of 73 nursing students from Slovenia and other European countries. The questionnaire included 20 statements which were rated on a 5-point Likert scale (1-strongly disagree to 5-strongly agree). The data were described on the basis of calculated mean values and the Mann-Whitney U test. Results: On the personal level, students stressed that mobility can improve their self-confidence (Z = –2.088, p = 0.037) and acceptance of other cultures (Z = –3.116, p = 0.002). On the professional level, they highlighted the need to upgrade students' professional competencies (Z = –3.116, p = 0.002), particularly in the field of culturally competent nursing care (Z = –2.391, p = 0.017). Discussion and conclusion: The benefits reported by nursing students seem to show that it is sensible to continue to support and promote international student mobility programmes.

Abstract Background The progress of electronic health technologies and biobanks holds enormous promise for efficient research. Evidence shows that studies based on sharing and secondary use of data/samples have the potential to significantly advance medical knowledge. However, sharing of such resources for international collaboration is hampered by the lack of clarity about ethical and legal requirements for transfer of data and samples across international borders. Main text Here, the International Clinical Trial Center Network (ICN) reports the legal and ethical requirements governing data and sample exchange (DSE) across four continents. The most recurring requirement is ethical approval, whereas only in specific conditions approval of national health authorities is required. Informed consent is not required in all sharing situations. However, waiver of informed consent is only allowed in certain countries/regions and under certain circumstances. The current legal and ethical landscape appears to be very complex and under constant evolution. Regulations differ between countries/regions and are often incomplete, leading to uncertainty. Conclusion With this work, ICN illuminates the unmet need for a single international collaborative framework to facilitate DSE. Harmonising requirements for global DSE will reduce inefficiency and waste in research. There are many challenges to realising this ambitious vision, including inconsistent terminology and definitions, and heterogeneous and dynamic legal constraints. Here, we identify areas of agreement and significant difference as a necessary first step towards facilitating international collaboration. We propose the establishment of a working group to continue the comparison across jurisdictions, create a standardised glossary and define a set of basic principles and fundamental requirements for DSE.

Purpose: We describe the experience of a collaborative, dialogical process on nursing pedagogy to identify the best process for creating a mutually beneficial international nursing education exchange., Approach: Faculty from two universities in Sucre, Bolivia and in Seattle, Washington, US engaged in planned virtual dialogues to share their nursing curricula, course content, teaching methodologies, and contextual challenges and strengths., Results: From the dialogues, a thematic analysis using a modified conventional content analysis approach was completed, and four themes emerged: 1) similarities in course content, pedagogy, and curricular challenges; 2) differences in teaching competencies; 3) teaching methodologies responsive to national trends; and 4) benefits from and alternatives to the use of educational technology. Early dialogues among participants allowed them to discern areas of need and interest for future planning., Implications for International Audience: Intentional academic dialogues should be the first step to enter in an exchange program to enable participants from different hemispheres to contribute equally as partners in the formation of nurses able to respond the current global health concerns., (© 2024 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston.)

A monthly exchange of letters from 165 seventh graders in an arts school in Charleston, South Carolina to similar classrooms in 16 countries around the world proved to be the writing project that captured every state writing standard all at once -- brainstorming, writing, collaboration, analysis, proofreading, and rewriting. This one activity was the highlight of the year for each student as letters and gifts poured in from every continent September to June. This was truly a teacher's dream come true. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Copyright of Gulf Education & Social Policy Review is the property of Knowledge E DMCC and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The use of technologies to bridge learning divides is an important topic in 21st century higher education. As an innovation to address this divide, the SUNY Empire State College - International Education - Virtual Residencies (IE-VRs) were created. The IE-VRs are virtual, international exchanges that connect undergraduate, graduate, and international education courses via a three-week collaborative, crossdisciplinary online module. We built a thematic IE-VR titled "Learning for a Sustainable Future," which focused on the UN Sustainable Development Goals and sustainability in socio-cultural-environmental contexts. Our analysis of student participation in the IE-VR indicates it is an effective model for transformative learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study reports on adolescents' experiences as exchange students in the Rotary Youth Exchange program. Based on a literature review and multivariate analysis of original survey data collected from 408 exchange students from 40 home countries that had spent a year in one out of 37 destination countries, the study concludes that students' perceived social support during the exchange and students' proficiency in mastering the destination country's language impacted their well-being during the exchange. Neither cultural distance between the student's home country and destination nor the student's adventurousness as a personality trait had an impact on well-being during the exchange. These empirical findings suggest that the students' social support and ability to interact during the exchange play an important role in enabling exchange students to reap the benefits of international and intercultural exchange in their formative years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The two figures who stood at the vanguard of the Japanese theatre world and maintained an international status during the 31 years of the Heisei era (1989-2018) are Ninagawa Yukio and Noda Hideki. Ninagawa Yukio was the most internationally successful of all the theatre directors who emerged during the post-war years. Ninagawa‘s productions were acclaimed not on account of their “Japonistic” and Orientalist tendencies, but precisely because of their lack of any clear national identity. The blend of heterogeneous cultures transcending differences between East and West introduced a universal dimension into the Shakespearean narrative. This was a deliberate strategy on Ninagawa’s part aimed at creating a global production. Noda Hideki showed much interest in performing overseas from early on in his career. He determined to surmount cultural barriers by not incorporating the Japanese language into the drama at any stage from the writing of the script to the stage presentation, with everything being conducted through the medium of English language. The European understanding of contemporary Japanese culture is becoming dominated by the concept of “Cool Japan”. This has brought the essence of Japanese culture as it was conceived prior to the introduction into Europe of animation and Japanese cuisine such as sushi back to the surface. By basing his work on the Nō theatre, with its origins in medieval times, Noda was striving to convey how the traditional Japanese aesthetic as typified by the concepts of yūgen, wabi and sabi has been handed down to present-day Japan.

This reflective article is based on the experiences of two years of teacher training students from the University of Northampton and the Pedagogical University of Weingarten. This article looks more closely at the benefits that international exchange experiences have afforded the trainee teachers involved and how challenges to the process have been addressed. This reflection reveals the value of international exchanges in challenging perceptions and assumptions and how the thinking of the trainee teachers changed following the exchange. This study employs a qualitative approach drawing upon the reflections and experiences of the participants through written and spoken data. The findings reveal trainee teachers developed skills specific to teaching and in particular teaching languages, and they also demonstrated an increased awareness of non teaching specific skills such as problem solving and intercultural sensitivity. The reflections offer insight into how trainee teachers, use, interpret and subsequently act upon the experiences offered in an international exchange.

Context: International topics in athletic training are gaining recognition. Particularly interesting are opportunities for athletic training students to gain international experiences and develop cultural competence through study abroad. However, little is known about current international experience opportunities for these students. Objective: To identify international experience opportunities for athletic training students, investigate student and faculty participation, and describe characteristics of institutions and programs offering such experiences. Design: Survey. Setting: Online. Patients or Other Participants: All directors of Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education-accredited professional athletic training programs were recruited. The response rate was 41.9% (163/389). Data Collection and Analysis: An e-mail soliciting participation was sent in January 2019. The online survey had 4 sections: (1) questions about athletic training-related international experiences, (2) questions about discipline-related international experiences, (3) questions about athletic training faculty or student participation, and (4) demographic questions about the program or institution. Data were analyzed descriptively. The characteristics of programs offering athletic training-related international experiences were compared with programs offering discipline-related international experiences using χ2 tests for degree level, institution type, and athletic division. Results: Twenty-nine programs (17.8%) offered athletic training-related international experiences and 68 programs (41.7%) offered discipline-related experiences. Private universities were more likely to offer an athletic training-related experience, and public universities more likely to offer a discipline-related experience (χ2 = 4.197, df = 1, P = .04). There were no other differences between institution types, program degree levels, or athletic divisions (all P . .05). Some programs reported no recent athletic training student (44%) or athletic training faculty (58%) participation in any international experience. Conclusions: A minority of programs currently offer either athletic training-related or discipline-related international experiences. Characteristics of available programs vary widely. To keep pace with professional globalization, future work should identify ways to develop international experiences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chinese medical classics are important carriers for the inheritance, innovation and development of academic thoughts of Chinese medicine (CM), containing rich thoughts on diagnosis and treatment as well as therapeutic principles of CM. The international exchange of CM has a very long history. With the development of society, Western scholars in modern times are deepening their researches on Chinese medical classics. This would provide a new way for promoting CM in Western countries to investigate researches made by famed American scholars and their academic viewpoints. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The progress of electronic health technologies and biobanks holds enormous promise for efficient research. Evidence shows that studies based on sharing and secondary use of data/samples have the potential to significantly advance medical knowledge. However, sharing of such resources for international collaboration is hampered by the lack of clarity about ethical and legal requirements for transfer of data and samples across international borders.Main Text: Here, the International Clinical Trial Center Network (ICN) reports the legal and ethical requirements governing data and sample exchange (DSE) across four continents. The most recurring requirement is ethical approval, whereas only in specific conditions approval of national health authorities is required. Informed consent is not required in all sharing situations. However, waiver of informed consent is only allowed in certain countries/regions and under certain circumstances. The current legal and ethical landscape appears to be very complex and under constant evolution. Regulations differ between countries/regions and are often incomplete, leading to uncertainty.Conclusion: With this work, ICN illuminates the unmet need for a single international collaborative framework to facilitate DSE. Harmonising requirements for global DSE will reduce inefficiency and waste in research. There are many challenges to realising this ambitious vision, including inconsistent terminology and definitions, and heterogeneous and dynamic legal constraints. Here, we identify areas of agreement and significant difference as a necessary first step towards facilitating international collaboration. We propose the establishment of a working group to continue the comparison across jurisdictions, create a standardised glossary and define a set of basic principles and fundamental requirements for DSE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Established in 1958, the Hangzhou Public Library has developed into a modern library over the past 60 years committed to serving over 9 million residents of the city of Hangzhou. Focusing on the stated goal of “a library for ordinary people and a large study for citizens”, the library acts as a pilot among the other libraries in China. This article summarized its three dimensions of work ‒ connecting with libraries overseas, innovating library services in digital time, and the theme branch strategy established in 2008 − and presents activities and programs which support these goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This reflective article is based on the experiences of two years of teacher training students from the University of Northampton and the Pedagogical University of Weingarten. This article looks more closely at the benefits that international exchange experiences have afforded the trainee teachers involved and how challenges to the process have been addressed. This reflection reveals the value of international exchanges in challenging perceptions and assumptions and how the thinking of the trainee teachers changed following the exchange. This study employs a qualitative approach drawing upon the refl ections and experiences of the participants through written and spoken data. The findings reveal trainee teachers developed skills specific to teaching and in particular teaching languages, and they also demonstrated an increased awareness of non teaching specific skills such as problem solving and intercultural sensitivity. The reflections offer insight into how trainee teachers, use, interpret and subsequently act upon the experiences offered in an international exchange. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]