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Intercultural Learning

The Language and Intercultural Learning Center facilitates and promotes intercultural learning — on campus, off campus, and online — to help students, faculty, and staff develop intercultural competence. If you are curious about intercultural learning, or are already committed to developing your intercultural competence, we invite you to explore!

The development of intercultural competence closely aligns with specific aspects of Uplift Valpo: Our Beacon for the Journey Forward.

  • As it relates to the University’s initiative to become an Hispanic Serving Institution (Thrive), intercultural development first brings about an awareness of our own cultural perspective(s). We can then begin to build our capacity to navigate difference with greater complexity, adopting a nuanced approach to serving our Latinx and First-Generation students.
  • Participation in an intercultural assessment, the Intercultural Development Inventory, can provide faculty, staff, and administrators with a foundational framework as we pursue practices that help us effectively serve and appropriately engage with these and other growing Valpo populations. Student participation in this intercultural assessment echoes University Student Learning Objective #5: Students will engage in cross-cultural dialogue and experiences with the requisite knowledge to succeed in a diverse, global community.
  • Uplift Valpo contains additional thematic threads that directly relate to intercultural learning:
    • Recognition of the complexities that surround us while embracing opportunities to work toward solutions (Learn, Lead);
    • Reflective engagement that begins with the self and meets people where they are in their development (Serve);
    • Compassionate and ethical leadership in the larger world (Lead).
  • Intercultural learning also aligns with Valpo’s cross-disciplinary commitments and has the potential to intersect with future iterations of Valpo Connect.

The development of intercultural competence closely aligns with specific aspects of Uplift Valpo: Our Beacon for the Journey Forward.

  • As it relates to the University’s initiative to become an Hispanic Serving Institution (Thrive), intercultural development first brings about an awareness of our own cultural perspective(s). We can then begin to build our capacity to navigate difference with greater complexity, adopting a nuanced approach to serving our Latinx and First-Generation students.
  • Participation in an intercultural assessment, the Intercultural Development Inventory, can provide faculty, staff, and administrators with a foundational framework as we pursue practices that help us effectively serve and appropriately engage with these and other growing Valpo populations. Student participation in this intercultural assessment supports University Student Learning Objective #5: Students will engage in cross-cultural dialogue and experiences with the requisite knowledge to succeed in a diverse, global community.
  • Uplift Valpo contains additional thematic threads that directly relate to intercultural learning:
    • Recognition of the complexities that surround us while embracing opportunities to work toward solutions (Learn, Lead);
    • Reflective engagement that begins with the self and meets people where they are in their development (Serve);
    • Compassionate and ethical leadership in the larger world (Lead).
  • Intercultural learning also aligns with Valpo’s cross-disciplinary commitments and has the potential to intersect with future iterations of Valpo Connect.

Expand above to learn about how intercultural learning supports Uplift Valpo: Our Beacon for the Journey Forward.

Intercultural Opportunities

Students Check out opportunities for intercultural learning that you can pursue at LINC, including language groups, programming, and fun and engaging activities for reflection.

Valpo University Students

Faculty & Staff Discover LINC opportunities and explore intercultural learning, as well as professional development resources. If you have completed the IDI, considering joining a short-term group as you begin your IDI Plan.

Extend Your Learning

Caste Book cover

Films, Books, & Podcasts LINC offers suggestions for exploring intercultural topics on your own through books, films, podcasts, and more.

Valpo University Students

Get Involved Locally Practice intercultural engagement beyond campus. Get involved with organizations and other opportunities at the local and regional level.