We are happy to announce that the MOTIVATE! program has officially started! As participants, we are excited to share our first blog entry about the opening workshop. MOTIVATE! (Mobile and Online Tandems for International Vocational Teacher Education) brings together students and researchers in teacher education and educational sciences from Switzerland, Norway, and Germany. It offers us the chance to connect across borders, exchange experiences, and grow together in an international learning community. We are very thankful for this opportunity to learn from and with each other.

First Workshop: Intercultural Communication

Our first workshop, “Intercultural Communication”, took place on October 24, 2025, from 10:00 to 15:00, and was led by Prof. Dr. Aysun Doğmuş from TU Berlin. The workshop began with warm-up activities and short introductions that helped us get to know each other better. We reflected on our own cultural backgrounds, discussed what “culture” means to us, and explored how culture influences communication in daily life.

In the second part, we learned about concepts such as dominance culture and social practice, and discussed how power relations and social classifications shape our interactions. Later, we worked with models like the “communication square” and “the inner team” to analyze our own intercultural experiences. The workshop ended with a creative task: designing examples of productive intercultural communication and sharing reflections with the group.

One thing that especially stayed with us personally was the idea that culture is often described as something historical and traditional – yet it also reflects our current social behaviors, standards, and shared practices. For example, subcultures in peer groups show how culture can exist and evolve in the present moment. Culture is not static but constantly changing, shaped by everyday interactions and new perspectives. This insight helped us realize how dynamic, living, and multifaceted the concept of culture truly is.

Reflections and Outlook

This workshop provided us with valuable insights into the intricate connections between culture, perception, and communication. It inspired us to reflect critically on our own assumptions and to communicate with greater openness and empathy. As future teachers and educators, we consider these skills essential for working effectively in diverse and globalized learning environments. We are already looking forward to the upcoming sessions of the MOTIVATE! program and to continue this exciting intercultural journey together.

Written by Irina Roher and Fabienne Molela