The purpose of this contribution for the NU2012 Conference in Gothenburg is to propose “A round the table Discussion” where Global Higher Education (3. Den globala utbildningen) will be focused.

The Topic for the discussions will cover various questions concerning how international students and Swedish students meet one another, mix, or not mix, in programs and courses. I naturally choose to present this abstract in English hoping that participants from Sweden and other nations will feel welcome to take part.

Introduction

As the result of having designed international courses in multimedia, design and taught international students and Swedish students during the past years I have noticed the positive effects of the integration of different nationalities in higher education. One of the most prominent situations noticed is when Swedish and international students mix in different workshops using analogue and digital design techniques. A workshop of this kind entails collaborations with different elements and it may need a helping hand from the lecturer or a student colleague. This can be one of the best times for the students to communicate, to start a dialogue with one another. Another example is exercises and seminaries where the students work in groups; another idea is to make two students write their exam report together.

The Course Surveys from the International courses have shown positive outcomes. The students have pointed out the value of having worked and met “over the boarders”, this has increased the standard of the course. They have learned from each other for instance. I have noticed a natural flow and an open attitude to the general language being English throughout lecturers, workshops and tutorials. I believe that the student here develops not only the course subject, but a foreign language and mix with international contemporaries.

The task for the future in Global Higher Education will be to invite and inspire University programs and courses to open up further for international students but also to inspire teachers and lecturers to perform in English.

Around the table Discussions

Several questions of integration ought to be discussed… how can we improve and go ahead? And how can we help students to meet “around the table” in the lecture room? What experiences can we share? And what can we learn from each other and this meeting?