Fostering 21st Century Skills through Cross-Cultural and Diverse Educational Practices

The future of the globalized working world requires ever greater skills development in (virtual) collaboration between intercultural teams. This requires contemporary teaching methods which include integrating international students, using digital tools, and reacting flexibly to changing conditions. The pedagogical concept of blended learning is suitable for modern teaching, as it enables studying virtually (synchronous and
asynchronous) with digital tools and collaboration in person and across national borders in a practice-oriented way. Moreover, it offers flexibility in the design of teaching-learning formats. Two partner universities have developed a transatlantic blended program to prepare students for these future requirements and to offer them
opportunities for experiential learning of 21st century skills. This paper presents this program’s background, objectives, and main features and offers literature-based and tried-and-true practical recommendations for contemporary teaching and learning. The structures and guidelines presented could serve as an adaptable “blueprint” and impulse for other actors and entities in respective higher education environments.