BIP: Multilingualism and Intercultural Competences in an Increasingly Digital Work Environment

The BIP on Multilingualism and Intercultural Competences in an Increasingly Digital Work Environment is a transformative experience designed for non-academic staff from Ulysseus partner universities, enriching participants’ professional and personal growth in today’s interconnected digital workplace. The programme equips participants with the competences essential for navigating multilingual and multicultural teams in today’s hybrid workplaces

 

The BIP will be organized at the same time with International Digital Week and it has some joint sessions with the Digital Week participants.

 

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

Registration dates 19 January 2026 31 March 2026
Course dates 22 June 2026 26 June 2026
Registration is coming soon
BIP: Multilingualism and Intercultural Competences in an Increasingly Digital Work Environment

Course Outline

The programme combines virtual and on-site learning, commencing with a digital kick-off session on 21.5.2026 and continuing with intensive face-to-face activities in Nice 22.-26.6.2026. The blended format mirrors the hybrid work environments that characterize modern international cooperation, preparing participants to navigate intercultural communication across both physical and digital spaces. The camp aims to foster deep connections through team-building, introductions to partner universities, eight cultures of the alliance along with comprehensive tandem-language learning sessions enhanced by digital collaboration tools.

Course Content

  • Intercultural communication in physical and digital spaces
  • Cultural intelligence
  • Ulysseus Language Policy
  • Navigating multilingual teams
  • Intercultural conflicts in physical and online environments
  • Communication strategies and etiquette across cultures
  • Non-verbal communication

 

Learning Outcomes

  • Demonstrate enhanced intercultural communication competences across physical and digital work environments Participants will be able to effectively communicate and collaborate with colleagues from diverse cultural backgrounds in both face-to-face and virtual settings, adapting their communication style to different cultural contexts and digital platforms.
  • Apply cultural intelligence principles to navigate multilingual team dynamics Participants will be able to recognize and respond appropriately to cultural differences within multilingual teams, demonstrating awareness of how cultural backgrounds influence work practices, decision-making, and collaboration in diverse working environments.
  • Employ effective strategies for preventing and resolving intercultural conflicts Participants will be able to identify potential sources of intercultural misunderstanding in both physical and online interactions and apply appropriate conflict resolution techniques that are sensitive to cultural differences and communication contexts.
  • Utilize appropriate communication strategies and etiquette for cross-cultural professional interactions Participants will be able to adapt their verbal and non-verbal communication, to align with cultural expectations and professional norms across different contexts within the Ulysseus alliance.
  • Contribute to multilingual collaboration within the framework of Ulysseus Language Policy Participants will understand and be able to implement the Ulysseus Language Policy in their daily work, facilitating inclusive multilingual environments that leverage language and cultural diversity as an asset for international cooperation.

Requirements

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

Agenda

The final programme will be published later in May. This is an orientative schedule.

Day 1 (Monday 22 June)

Morning:

  • Joint Programme with the Digital Week

Afternoon:

  • Team building activities
  • Introduction to partner universities and Ulysseus

Day 2 (Tuesday 23 June)

Morning:

  • Learning cultures and languages
  • Introduction to participants’ cultures and languages

Afternoon:

  • Language tandems
  • Introduction to intercultural competences

Day 3 (Wednesday 24 June)

Morning:

  • Joint Programme with the Digital Week participants

Afternoon:

  • Defining culture: simulation
  • Non- & verbal communications

 

Day 4 (Thursday 25 June)

Morning:

  • Cultural Identity
  • Time, space & context

Afternoon:

  • Cultural intelligence
  • Intercultural conflict
  • CQ Leadership: simulation

 

Day 5 (Friday 26 June)

Morning:

  • Joint programme with the Digital week
  • Feedback and reflections

Afternoon:

  • Multilingual activities

Virtual Component

  • Online-session on 21.5.2026 at 15-16.30 CET. Introduction to the BIP content, team-building and pre-assignments will be given to the participants.
  • Participants will complete the pre-assignments prior to arrival in Nice.

More information

Facilitators and professors

  • Dr. Kevin Gore, Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences
  • Maarit Ohinen-Salvén, Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences
  • Mirjam Gamrasni, Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences