اللسانيات التطبيقية
Volume 9, Numéro 2, Pages 1-10
2025-12-21

The Value Of Academic Mobility Programmes Toward Student Cultural Competence Development

Authors : Saridaki Evanthia .

Abstract

Academic mobility programmes have become essential components of university Internationalisation strategies, providing students with opportunities to immerse themselves in culturally diverse environments. This paper examines how mobility programmes contribute to the development of students’ cultural competence, drawing on intercultural communication theory, global citizenship frameworks and empirical studies of programmes such as Erasmus+, Fulbright, and AIMS. Cultural competence is conceptualised as a multidimensional process involving attitudes, knowledge and behaviours that enable effective interaction across cultural contexts. The paper analyses theoretical foundations, mechanisms of intercultural learning and evidence-based outcomes, while also addressing limitations and challenges. Recommendations are offered for universities aiming to maximize the intercultural benefits of student mobility.

Keywords

cultural competence ; internationalisation strategie ; mobility programmes ; social networks