Intercultural competence and communication

On the way to global citizenship

How to negotiate with the Japanese or Germans? What to give as a gift to a Chinese business partner? What competitive advantages does a company gain from understanding cultural diversity? How can we grow into global citizenship and thus contribute to sustainable development?

Courses related to intercultural communication and multiculturalism open the door to foreign cultures from many different perspectives. You will learn to understand your own culture as well as the differences between people from various other cultures. You get to know about values, communication styles and working life habits. All this will prepare you to work successfully with international colleagues and partners in the future.

You can study intercultural communication in multicultural teams in English both online and in class. The approach is often functional: you may complete the course, for example by participating in a charity project.

Intercultural competence is as important as literacy.

Intercultural competence information and the study path (Bachelors' level)

KE00DD58 Intercultural Competence

KE00CE74 Intercultural Awareness, 3 ects

KE00CF69 Intercultural Competence and Communication, 5 ects

Come and learn about cultural differences and how culture affects, for example, international business and people's values.
A complementary or elective course especially for students in Finnish-language degree programs, enabling them to develop their intercultural competence. The course is also recommended as intercultural training especially for those planning to study or work abroad. The course is also offered to incoming exchange students.
The course is not recommended for students in international degree programs, as they complete a compulsory course in Intercultural Awareness or Intercultural Competence as a part of their studies.
The course is offered several times a year as classroom teaching at both the Lahti and Lappeenranta campuses and online.
The course is taught in English.

KM00CO04 Finnish Culture and Society 3 ects

Elective course especially for all international students studying in international degree programmes to develop their understanding of Finnish culture and society in English. This course helps in cultural adaptation to Finland and prepares students for example for internships in Finnish companies.
The course has several implementations a year, both as on-site courses available in Lahti and Lappeenranta and online. During the online course webinars will be recorded, so the course can be studied according to your own pace.
There are 3 implementations per term, starting in January or September, totaling 6 implementations a year. Cultural activities to be completed in Finland as a part of the course require your stay in Finland but if you want to complete the course without living in Finland, you can do it by completing an alternative task.
The course is offered also to incoming exchange students studying at LAB University of Applied Sciences and LUT.
The course is taught in English.

KE00CH94 Diversity Management and Global Citizenship, 5 ects

Develop your understanding of global citizenship and the connected world especially from the perspective of sustainability. Learn to understand the competitive advantages of diversity and how to promote inclusivity in work communities.
Complementary or optional course for everyone.
Before taking this course, you must have completed either Intercultural Awareness or Intercultural Competence and Communication or equivalent intercultural communication studies, as this is an advanced-level course.
The course is held 100% online twice a year, in the fall and spring.
The course is taught in English.

KE00DD49 Multicultural Teamwork and Community-Based Projects, 5 ects

Develop your multicultural teamwork skills and deepen your intercultural competence by carrying out a locally conducted community project for a specific customer segment in Finnish society.
Prior to this course either Intercultural Awareness or Intercultural Competence and Communication or similar basic studies related to intercultural competence must be completed as this is an advanced-level course.
This course is conducted next time in the spring of 2026 at Lahti Campus.
The course is taught in English.

KE00CW88 Intercultural Business Project, 5 ects

Deepen your intercultural skills by understanding how to enter new business markets and how cultural dimensions help in analyzing business opportunities. You will also learn to analyze intercultural situations in real business environments.
Before taking this course, you must have completed either Intercultural Awareness or Intercultural Competence and Communication or equivalent basic studies related to intercultural competence, as this is an advanced-level course.
The course will be held next in the fall of 2025 at the Lappeenranta campus.
The course is taught in English.

KM00BX75 Each one teach one, 3 ects

Students learn a language of their choice together with a native speaker.
Students work in pairs. They meet each other and plan together their teaching and learning schedule and topics. Teaching is tailored according to the proficiency levels and needs of the students.
Both students teach their mother tongue to their partner for 24 (contact) hours, study their target language for 24 (contact) hours and create teaching material, study independently and write a learning diary for 24 hours.
On completing the studies students arrange a meeting with the teacher and present their diary and show their target language skills.

Intercultural competence information and the study path (Masters' level)

YL00CT72 Intercultural Communication, 5 ects

Changing organizations increasingly require intercultural communication skills, an understanding of value-based cultural differences, and expertise in management positions. In this course, you will learn to understand the impact of culture on business at different levels, master different intercultural communication models and styles, and learn what kind of skills and competences are needed to manage cultural diversity at an international level.
The course is offered every other year.
It is recommended that you complete this course before taking the course of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
The course is taught in English.

YL00DG11 Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, 5 ects

Come and learn about diversity management and promoting equality and inclusion in the workplace. You will learn to understand inequalities and how companies can gain competitive advantages from diversity. Managing diverse individuals and teams are also key topics in this elective and/or complementary course.
The course is offered every other year.
It is recommended that students complete the course of Intercultural Communication or have studied at least one intercultural communication related course before taking this course.
The course is taught in English.