BIP Multilingualism and Intercultural Competences : building a sustainable and lasting multilingual Ulysseus community

The Ulysseus Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) on Multilingualism and Intercultural Competences: building a sustainable and lasting multilingual Ulysseus community is a transformative experience designed for non-academic staff from Ulysseus partner universities, enriching participants’ professional and personal growth. The programme equips participants with the competences essential for navigating multilingual and multicultural teams in today’s hybrid workplaces.

 

Please be aware that your home university may set a different application deadline depending on their internal selection process.

Registration dates 15 October 2026 01 December 2026
Course dates 08 March 2027 12 March 2027
Registration is open
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BIP Multilingualism and Intercultural Competences : building a sustainable and lasting multilingual Ulysseus community

Course Outline

The programme combines virtual and on-site learning, commencing with a digital kick-off session on 16 February 2027 and continuing with intensive face-to-face activities in Münster from 8 to 12 March 2027. During the virtual component, participants will get to know each other through ice-breaking activities. A short welcome and introduction to the BIP will be conducted, and participants will be given assignments to reflect on cultural aspects in their home universities and daily lives. This preparing material is mandatory, as it will serve as a basis for discussions during the on-site component, enabling participants to deepen their connections through team-building, work on intercultural aspects and develop their intercultural competence by comparing and reflecting on similarities and differences between the 8 cultures / alliance members of the community. This BIP aims to foster a sustainable and lasting multilingual community within the Ulysseus community.

Course Content

  • Introduction to Ulysseus, to its partners and to the University of Münster
  • Intercultural communication in physical and digital spaces
  • Intercultural and Cultural intelligence
  • Navigating multilingual teams
  • Communication strategies and etiquette across cultures
  • Non-verbal & verbal communication

Learning Outcomes

  • Build long-lasting connections: Participants will be able to establish and maintain professional relationships with peers from the 8 Ulysseus partner universities by actively engaging in team-building, language activities and collaborative workshops.
  • Dialoguing and networking among non-academic staff. Participants will be able to initiate and maintain professional communication with their peers using adapted communication strategies during and after the BIP.
  • Employ effective strategies to promote sustainability / sustainable behaviour in intercultural contexts, aligning with the Ulysseus mission: Participants will be able to integrate / implement sustainable practices discussed during their BIP into their daily work.
  • Learn from and utilize best examples practices from each Ulysseus Alliance member: Participants will be able to compare and create a shared repository of resources compiling key takeaways and examples to potentially implement in their own universities.
  • Raise awareness towards intercultural competence and sustainable dialogue within the Ulysseus community: Participants will be able to use examples and insights gained during the BIP to explain the value and importance of intercultural competence and sustainable dialogue.

Requirements

  • B2 level recommended, English minimum B1.
  • We welcome applicants belonging to non-academic staff category with diverse professional backgrounds within their universities.

Virtual Component

  • Online -session on 16.2.202 7 at 15 -16.30 CET.
  • Introduction to the BIP content, ice -breaker activities and mandatory pre -assignments under the form of intercultural questionnaires will be given to the participants.
  • Participants will complete the pre -assignments prior to arrival in Münster .

 

Physical Mobility

  • The physical mobility part will be running from 8 to 12 March 2027 in Münster.
  • The final programme will be published later in January 2027.

Day 1

Morning

  • Meet & greet!
  • Introduction of participants
  • Introduction to Ulysseus
  • Introduction to Münster’s Innovation Hub
  • Introduction to Münster University & Language Centre

Afternoon

  • Ice -breaker activities
  • Team building activities
  • Introduction to partner universities
  • City tour

Day 2

Morning

  • German as a Foreign Language crash course
  • Discovery and discussion around the intercultural surveys’ results done during the virtual kick -off

Afternoon

  • Language tandems | Multilingual & multicultural activities

Day 3

Morning

  • Introduction to intercultural competence
  • Defining culture: simulation
  • Non – & verbal communications

Afternoon

  • Excursion

Day 4

Morning

  • Cultural Identity
  • Time, space & context

Afternoon

  • Cultural intelligence
  • Intercultural conflict
  • CQ Leadership: simulation

Day 5

Morning

  • Multilingual & multicultural activities
  • Compiling the repository of key takeaways
  • Feedback and reflections

Afternoon

  • Feedback and reflections

Professors

  • Dr. Kevin Gore, Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences
  • Dr. Catherine Felce, University of Grenoble Alpes
  • Katharina Grenningloh, University of Münster
  • Chloé Neyret, University of Münster

More information