Internationalization of Universities as Internationalization of Bildung

Figure 2: University as a system

Disregarding external factors, the learning process of students within the university
system is determined mainly by two interrelationships: First is the student-to-
student relationship which reflects interactions with fellow students. The quality
of the student-to-student learning depends on the university’s organization of the
learning environment. If students are embedded in cooperative or collaborative
learning processes with a high level of student interactivities, student-to-student
learning contributes essentially to individual learning outcomes. The design of a
stimulating learning environment is at least partially the responsibility of the lec-
turer. This leads ultimately to the second interrelation - the student-to-lecturer
relationship. Lectures given mainly in a stereotyped and highly standardized way
by relying heavily on powerpoint slides or one-way lecturing could not be charac-
terized as interaction because this is more a communicative one-way street. Lectur-
ing should stimulate students to discuss problems with fellow students and lectur-
ers, to bring in new ideas and to pursue knowledge driven by curiosity. Under-
standing the student-to-lecturer relationship as a frequent exchange of knowledge,
ideas and opinions should be challenging for both sides and should inspire learn-
ing for students as well as for lecturers.¹⁰

¹⁰Annotation: In this context it is remarkable that Stiglitz (2010) dedicated his new book “Free-
fall” to his students: “To my students, from whom I learned so much, in the hope that they will
learn from our mistakes.”

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