Experiential learning and internationality. An academic tool to improve students' skills development, academic performance, and introduction to the professional world

Abstract

The creation of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) goes hand in hand with putting a spotlight on skills development in student's education. Therefore, the implementation of the new university system means that the current teaching and learning dynamic must be replaced by one in which students play an active role, assume responsibilities, and become involved in their own learning. Only in this way, will they be prepared for the changes taking place in their social and professional environment. Moreover, students are required to adapt themselves to innovative and different methodologies while learning contents, and to put them into practice inside the class, either individually or working in teams. In an attempt to shed light on this topic, the present paper analyzes an experiential learning activity carried out during the first semester of the present academic course. It involved students from two universities and nine nationalities (i.e., Denmark, Germany, Honduras, Ireland, Mexico, Spain, Switzerland, The Netherlands, and United Kingdom). Results give insight into the extent to which experiential learning is an effective methodology in the development of students' cross-disciplinary competencies, the improvement of academic performance, as well as developing an international perspective and introducing students to the professional world.