Not all students can go abroad for an extended period, however, they should be given alternatives to connect with different cultures and expand their intercultural skill set. Several universities offer IatH options; however, those are limited and sometimes unknown to students. To better understand and drive the implementation of IatH, the current participation of universities is analysed, and the opinions of students on such courses is evaluated. This analysis allows insights into what possible offers the School of Business FHNW could implement in its curriculum.

First, research papers about definitions, purposes, and trends of IatH are read and summarised in the literature review. Second, desk research is done on the offers of the School of Business FHNW and a large sample of its partner universities (n=117). Third, a survey with students (n=29) from the School of Business FHNW and a survey with a small sample of partner universities (n=10) is conducted to get insight into their opinions regarding IatH. The results of all three parts are analysed and compared to provide recommendations for the School of Business FHNW regarding IatH.

The research shows a general wish to increase greater promotion of already existing offerings, to include more interaction in existing courses, and to involve more current topics and businesses into the course offerings in general and at the School of Business FHNW. Moreover, the interest of students and partner universities as well as the literature shows an increased engagement in and importance of IatH. However, the student survey shows that existing offers are only known to about half of the students and therefore promotion is of importance. Two main trends which have been detected through the literature review are foreign language learning initiatives and Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL). From all the trends, the foreign language initiative received the greatest interest from students. The analyses of offers from partner universities reveals that partner universities offer many different short programmes. The School of Business FHNW could implement a virtual short-term programme lasting between two and six weeks, enhance the COIL-initiative and increase promotion of the IatH offers.