Enhancing student experience and intercultural competence through community-based learning
This collaborative initiative brought together final year students of French, SLLC MA students, community partner BRIJ charity and International Protection Applicants living in the Cork area.
Between November 2025 and April 2026, UCC students and community participants co-designed and co-delivered four workshops focused on creativity and intercultural exchange.
Grounded in experiential learning and Students-as-Partners approaches, the project aimed to enhance student engagement, develop intercultural competencies and promote solidarity and inclusion. Students took an active role as co-designers, facilitators and contributors to curriculum development throughout, engaging in plurilingual, reflective practices.
The project highlights the value of community-based learning in developing both academic and transferable skills, while creating meaningful opportunities for intercultural dialogue.
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My participation in this project will aid in my openness to new ideas and belief systems that I had not considered before; I will carry this experience with me throughout the rest of my studies" [Extract from student feedback]
Created by artist Megan Luddy, this graphic harvesting captures participants' contributions at the intercultural open-mic event :