FH JOANNEUM University of Applied Sciences

Internationalization @ Home: Global Business Program at FH JOANNEUM

The Global Business Program at FH JOANNEUM offers a compact, modular and inclusive semester experience through global guest teaching, international peer learning and Internationalisation @ Home.

Global friendships at FH JOANNEUM – Incoming students celebrating international learning and cultural exchange.

Objectives

The Global Business Program (GBP) at FH JOANNEUM, hosted by the Institute of International Management and Entrepreneurship, is a flagship model of multi-layered internationalisation in higher education. Designed for incoming undergraduate students from over 100 partner universities, it creates a dynamic, inclusive and academically rigorous environment entirely in English. More than a mobility semester, the GBP represents a living international classroom on campus. Internationalisation in the program is implemented on multiple, interconnected levels: 1. Student diversity: Each semester, over 40 exchange students from more than 30 countries participate in the program, creating a truly international learning environment. 2. Curriculum alignment: The modular structure is compatible with diverse academic calendars and systems, ensuring full integration into mobility pathways. 3. Faculty mobility: Guest lecturers from partner institutions worldwide teach short, intensive courses on-site, embedding international expertise and perspectives. 4. Peer integration: Incoming students attend selected courses alongside Austrian full-degree students in bachelor programme, fostering intercultural dialogue and collaborative learning. The course portfolio and teaching staff are updated each semester to address current global business challenges and enhance graduate employability. This responsiveness ensures the program’s continued relevance and competitiveness. The GBP directly supports FH JOANNEUM’s strategic goal of embedding internationalisation into all learning formats and contributes to HMIS2030 Goals 1 and 4. It evolves through curricular renewal, global partnerships and diverse academic input—empowering students and staff for success in a connected world.

Background

The Global Business Program at FH JOANNEUM was launched in 2003 by the Institute of International Management in response to increasing demand for structured international learning formats for incoming students. Its development was driven by the strategic goal of embedding internationalisation into the curriculum and enhancing global competence without requiring physical mobility for all. The program was designed by a multidisciplinary team of academic coordinators, international relations staff and faculty members with experience in international teaching and mobility. Key external drivers included the Bologna Process, the growing importance of English-taught programs, and the need to respond to global labour market expectations. Internally, FH JOANNEUM’s institutional strategy emphasized the creation of inclusive and flexible learning opportunities for students from partner institutions worldwide. The implementation of the GBP has been continuously supported by the university through dedicated mobility coordination, curricular recognition, Erasmus+ integration, and international guest lecturer funding. Ongoing curricular updates, strong management backing and the integration of the program into the university’s internationalisation strategy ensure its long-term sustainability and relevance.

(Implemented) Activities

The Global Business Program is implemented through a set of coordinated academic, administrative and intercultural activities that directly serve its objectives and target group. Each semester, over 10 English-taught courses are offered in compact, modular formats tailored to the academic calendars of partner institutions. These courses are delivered by a mix of internal faculty and international guest lecturers who teach on-site for one to two weeks, ensuring topical relevance and integrating global academic input. Incoming students are supported throughout the process—from pre-arrival orientation to course registration and academic advising. A dedicated coordination team ensures smooth recognition of credits, compatibility with home curricula, and support in academic matters. Intercultural learning is further supported through extracurricular offers, such as welcome events, tandem initiatives, and international student networks. The dynamic update of the course catalogue each semester allows the program to stay aligned with current global trends in business and management—directly supporting students’ professional and intercultural readiness. These activities ensure that internationalisation is accessible, inclusive, and embedded in both academic content and campus life—meeting the objectives of Internationalisation@Home and contributing to a global mindset.

Results

The Global Business Program has produced concrete and sustainable results across several dimensions: 1. International visibility: Since its launch in 2003, the program has welcomed over 800 incoming students from all world regions and hosted more than 200 guest lecturers from partner institutions. Each semester, more than 40 international students benefit from its academic offer. 2. Sustainable integration of “Internationalisation at Home”: Intercultural dialogue, English-medium instruction, and international guest teaching are firmly embedded in everyday academic life. 3. Impact on students: Participants report increased intercultural awareness, high academic satisfaction, and improved preparation for international careers—demonstrating a clear contribution to employability. 4. Added value for the target group: Students complete their semester abroad in a modular, practice-oriented, and socially integrative environment—without structural barriers or curricular misalignment. 5. Intercultural peer learning: In several courses, exchange students study alongside Austrian full-degree students from the English-taught bachelor program, enhancing cultural exchange and collaboration. 6. Long-term effects: The GBP strengthens FH JOANNEUM’s international profile, promotes campus diversity, and enhances institutional capacity in international teaching. 7. Model character: The program serves as a transferable example of curriculum-based internationalisation and creates long-term academic and personal networks between students, faculty, and partner institutions worldwide.

Lessons learned & transferability

The implementation of the Global Business Program over the years has provided valuable insights into managing complex international learning environments. Key lessons include: 1. Flexible structures are essential: Modular course design, compact teaching formats, and alignment with diverse academic calendars have proven critical for enabling participation of students from different countries without academic delay. 2. Sustained coordination is key: Coordinating mobility, course recognition, and administrative processes requires close collaboration between academic staff, international offices, and guest lecturers. Dedicated coordination roles and clear communication channels are essential. 3. Intercultural integration requires facilitation: Simply bringing together diverse students is not enough. Structured interaction through joint courses with local students, guided group work, and social formats help build mutual understanding. 4. Curriculum agility ensures relevance: Adapting the course catalogue each semester based on global trends and feedback from students ensures that the program remains attractive, academically meaningful, and aligned with employability goals. 5. Challenge: synchronisation with home universities: Differences in academic calendars and recognition requirements have been addressed through flexible enrolment models, academic advising, and strong communication with partner institutions. 6. Challenge: funding and planning of guest teaching: Budgeting short-term teaching stays while ensuring pedagogical continuity requires advance planning and institutional support. Establishing long-term partnerships with key lecturers has proven effective. Overall, the GBP demonstrates that successful internationalisation requires not only strong content, but also adaptable structures, inclusive design, and continuous institutional commitment.

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