The project

The project takes place from December 6th 2010 until January 23rd 2011.

The International Communication project focuses on the European Union and the communication in and around it. As Hungary is chairing the EU from January 2011 onwards this is the reason why we have chosen Hungary as excursion destination for all third year students taking part in this project.

The overall and binding factor of the project is the European Union. In the first 2,5 years of their study students have learned the basics of the communication profession, have trained their skills through study assignments, real life assignments and eventually during their internship. At this point in their study they are assumed to have the basic skills needed to cope with different communication situations.

Since companies and (therefore) people are becoming more and more internationally orientated the communication study feels it is a must for students to know more about that aspect.
And since The Netherlands are part of the European Union and this European Union is growing more important and getting more power to influence company policies, it only seems logical to prepare students on this powerful cooperation between countries as well.
Therefore this aspect of the European Union (or sometimes even beyond the European Union borders) can be found in all the assignments of this project.
The chance to work on real life international company-assignments and being able to present the results directly to the management of those companies in Hungary is one of the pillars of the project. Together with the chance to exchange views and experiences on chosen subjects with students of the Eszterházy Károly College in Eger Hungary and discussing matters during workshops in Hungary together, this forms the heart of the project.

The kick off of the project is on Monday the 6th of December.
On this day the students will be inspired to step into the project including the EU, Hungary and many different companies.
In order to provide students with the necessary information for the assignments supporting lectures and presentations will be scheduled. Communication teachers and people from the professional field will be invited to fill in the lectures.
Part of these lectures is about the EU and on this subject the students also receive an assignment to increase and test their knowledge on the EU. This assignment is the same for all students.
Part of these lectures is about the Hungarian culture & trade.
For all company assignments coaching moments will be scheduled with teachers.

During our trip to Hungary we will visit the companies that provided us with a communication issue they wanted to be advised on. The students having worked out their first draft of solutions will get the chance to present their advice directly to the management of those companies and discuss the further direction of their advice. Furthermore students specialize themselves in EU subjects during the project weeks. During the excursion to Hungary in December we will visit the Eszterházy Károly College in Hungary. At the Eszterházy Károly College there will be workshops planned on similar subjects.
Students of both countries will work together in mixed groups. The final goal of the workshops is that students from the different countries understand each other’s position and respect each other’s values and point of views

The project is finalized with an “Exposium” * on January 20th 2011. All groups will present their advice and solutions at the “Exposium”. The final reports will be forwarded to the Hungarian companies and partners of the project

* Exposium is a combined event for the students where the students will expose their communication products and present their communication advises. This event is open to all that are interested and is obligatory for all 3rd year students communication.