Our aim was to - be up to date with the latest intercultural research and cultural competence development opportunities - methodologically respond to current challenges in group dynamics (e.g. facilitating and coaching remote teams) - develop professionally by learning and trying out good practices from authentic facilitators - access to international knowledge not available in our country - networking opportunities - sharing our own experiences and research results, thus learning about issues, different perspectives and getting further ideas from other professionals - develop our own intercultural competence and sensitivity through reflections and an experience abroad - providing a higher quality service to our students and clients - learning about other cultures, experiential cultural learning - increasing motivation within the organisation, building teamwork and greater cohesion, learning methods to manage internal conflicts - practical application of group dynamics skills within our own team
Our training and coaching institution offers soft skill and foreign language communication training, individual and team coaching usually realated to inclusion and intercultural issues. Our staff has in common that they are internationally accredited coaches who facilitate foreign language training and individual development programs. The mobility programs we have chosen gave us the opportunity to further develop our knowledge in the field of intercultural research (SIETAR Congress-Malta) and to gain practical methodological knowledge by completing a course on group dynamics and group development (In Dialogue- Austria). The knowledge gained at these events was shared with each other and with other direct colleagues, later we also published and posted articles on the subjects and gave webinars and presentations using our takeaways from these courses and workshops. Both programs have provided great opportunities for international networking, professional motivation and we have gained not only knowledge but also a lot of inspiration, a change of perspective and new ideas as well.