• Collaborative assignment on autism: Utrecht University collaborated with the University of Leeds, where students jointly carried out a project on autism. Through Collaborative Online International Learning Virtual Exchange (COIL VE) they explored differences in healthcare systems between the Netherlands and the UK and examined the accessibility of mainstream education for children with autism in both countries.
  • Public transport analysis: Industrial Design Engineering students at The Hague University of Applied Sciences were tasked with creating a report for the local public transport company on managing the growing number of tourists and residents who do not speak Dutch. “Students researched how other European cities address similar challenges and incorporated their findings into their report,” noted Eveke de Louw, a lecturer at the university.
  • The Eindhoven Drug Summit: Students at Fontys University of Applied Sciences organized the Eindhoven Drug Summit. They compared drug policies from various countries and discussed their societal impacts. Participants debated how these policies might work in the Netherlands. Lecturer Milou Kauffman emphasised: “We are all facing similar challenges and educational topics in life and are just divided by differences in culture, language or country borders. So let’s aim to keep our eyes open to other perspectives so that we can keep learning and growing together.”
  • Physiotherapy collaboration: Physiotherapy students at Utrecht University of Applied Sciences collaborated with peers from Uppsala University in Sweden. They discussed cultural differences, educational approaches, healthcare systems, and professional practices. Together, they developed and presented a joint research and treatment plan for a case study.
  • Multidisciplinary water project: Students from The Hague University of Applied Sciences, representing disciplines such as engineering, law, safety, commerce, and social studies, collaborated with international peers through COIL VE. Not only were the technical aspects of global water issues addressed, but also the social dimensions. For instance, why do some groups lack consistent access to clean water, and what potential conflicts can arise from this? These challenges were compared with local Dutch situations (Guérin & Beelen, 2022).
  • International business bases: Students in the International Business program at Saxion University of Applied Sciences worked on real-world business cases for both local startups and international companies. Students for example collaborated with a cosmetics company from South Korea, and worked with a local startup to establish a supply chain for cradle-to-cradle socks. Through these projects, students gained new perspectives, learned to navigate different (work) cultures, and developed the ability to balance considerations of People, Planet, and Profit.
  • Guest lectures and International perspectives: At InHolland University of Applied Sciences, guest lecturers were invited to share international perspectives on their profession. For instance, a Danish lecturer gave a lecture on debt counselling, prompting pedagogy students to reflect: “From an international viewpoint, there’s a critical lens on the Netherlands. In Denmark, youth services have long been decentralized. We also distinguish between help from the heart and a professional approach. Both are important”.
  • Dutch culture and cuisine: At The Hague University of Applied Sciences, international and exchange students learned about Dutch food culture during a lecture. They then cooked a traditional Dutch dish with Nutrition & Dietetics students as part of the extracurricular Dutch Culture module.
  • PESTLE Analysis on Industry Practices: Arteveld University of Applied Sciences (Ghent, Belgium) partnered with British Columbia Institute of Technology (Burnaby, Canada). Students compared a company in Belgium and in Canada from the same industry (NVAO Flanders, 2022). They conducted research (field and desk research) and presented their joint findings, using a PESTLE analysis to examine how external factors affect operations. They presented their findings and created a joint video to reflect on their team process.
  • Mock conference on refugee integration: Students in the International Relations minor at Windesheim University of Applies Sciences visited the municipality of Kampen for their biannual mock conference. During the event, they attended a keynote speech on the importance of local initiatives for the reception and integration of refugees and asylum seekers (Warringa, 2022).
  • Global citizenship competence: The Hague University of Applied Sciences recognises the value of learning experiences students gain outside the classroom as a crucial addition to their education. The Global Citizenship Competence Programme encourages students to actively engage in extracurricular activities to broaden their knowledge and skills. Participants must take part in and reflect on at least three activities from the program. Successful completion earns them the Global Citizen Competence Certificate.
  • ‘Shared Garden’ Project: Cross-Border Collaboration: French and Spanish engineering students from the Universities of Bordeaux and León worked together online in the Shared Garden project (Fernández-Raga & Villard, 2020). Using problem-based learning, they designed eco-friendly water system solutions for the campus garden in Bordeaux. This project enhanced their understanding of water scarcity and developed their communication skills, soft skills, and problem-solving abilities. The initiative combined Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with theoretical knowledge and local stakeholder insights from both countries.
  • ‘Think Global Festival’ : The Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences has been organizing the Think Global Festival for several years. This celebratory week offers diverse activities highlighting the value of internationalisation in research and education. Participants, including staff, students, and international partners, gain inspiration from global themes. In 2023, the festival focused on global citizenship, exploring the question: “What does global citizenship mean to you?” Each program is tailored to specific disciplines, allowing faculties to integrate it into their curriculum. The event also collaborates with ROCvA, Vocational Education Centre in Amsterdam, which simultaneously hosts its Week of the World.
  • Exploring Multicultural Education in International Schools: Teacher-training (pabo) and physical education (HALO) students from The Hague University of Applied Sciences visited an international school in The Hague (Hackett, 2023). HALO students met with physical education teachers from the British School and interacted with several students. They returned with fresh ideas and inspiration for incorporating multicultural contexts into their classes.