Held across the Barcelona and Sant Cugat campuses, the second edition of International Week at UIC Barcelona aimed to embed internationalisation as a core element of university life. The opening event, held on 27 October in the Saló de Graus, featured a lecture by Marina Casals, Director of Member Relations for Europe and the United Kingdom at ISEP Study Abroad, entitled “Internationalisation at Home: Time to Stop Treating It as the ‘Poor Cousin’”.
Casals, creator of the European SUCTI project (Systemic University Change Towards Internationalisation), emphasised the importance of understanding internationalisation as a process that also occurs within classrooms and university offices. The expert highlighted that “inclusive internationalisation” must ensure all students have the same opportunity to experience international learning, regardless of economic or mobility constraints. “Inclusion is key: internationalisation cannot be for a minority; it must be a tool to open doors and democratise the global experience,” she stated.
Led by the vice-rector for International Relations Eduardo Mirpuri, UIC Barcelona is pursuing a strategy that combines academic internationalisation with internal initiatives to strengthen the university’s global outlook. During the session, Noor Alchikh, director of International Relations, underscored the value of sharing perspectives and practices with people from different cultures. She also highlighted several university-led initiatives, including the Summer Programme, the Global Encounters project, and partnerships with universities across Europe through the EduCare European Alliance.
Activities for the entire university community
As part of International Week, the University hosted the International Staff Training Week 2025. Throughout the week, UIC Barcelona welcomed 18 representatives from other universities who took part in training sessions, sharing experiences and best practices with academic and administrative staff.
Among the week’s standout activities was an intercultural communication workshop, which brought together administrative staff, teaching staff, and representatives from universities across Europe to explore stereotypes and cultural clashes through interactive exercises. The session, led by Reetta Heikkinen, a former UIC Barcelona staff member and expert in intercultural training, encouraged participants to reflect on how to foster more respectful and inclusive academic environments.
Another key event focused on innovation in the classroom, exploring the potential of COIL (Collaborative Online International Learning) methodologies and virtual exchange as tools to enhance collaboration among students from different countries. This activity included a representative from the University of Monterrey (Mexico), who presented a practical case study of this learning method.
Finally, the Mobility Forum, held at the Sant Cugat Campus, brought together local and international students, along with representatives from Erasmus Student Network (ESN) Barcelona, to share exchange experiences and provide information about the mobility sessions available for each degree programme.
Through these activities, International Week 2025 has reaffirmed its role as a space for dialogue and reflection on the internationalisation of higher education, strengthening UIC Barcelona’s commitment to global, diverse and inclusive learning.
