What is a global mindset?

In the international discourse, awareness of the relevance of subject-specific and interdisciplinary skills associated with a "global mindset" has increased in recent years. This is also reflected in the more international orientation of curricula.   

With the BAWISO study reform 2023, WU has for the first time anchored its commitment to a global orientation in the curriculum and defined it as a transversal educational goal. In total, students must complete at least 10 ECTS associated with the global mindset concept.

The term "global mindset" encompasses subject-specific knowledge regarding global diversity as well as essential social and personal skills in an intercultural context. It thus describes the intercultural competence that WU students should develop in the course of their studies, regardless of their specialization.

This includes skills such as working together effectively in intercultural teams, developing discourse and negotiation skills in international contexts, but also reflecting on one's own perspectives with regard to cultural, social and political norms. These skills can be acquired, above all, in a discursive teaching and learning environment that enables students to engage in the personal dialogue that is necessary.

There are several ways for students to collect the 10 ECTS credits required (details on the student page "Global mindset as a success factor" [only available in german]):

• Completion of courses abroad (e.g. WU mobility programs, semesters abroad, online courses at foreign universities)

• Courses at WU that are marked with the Global Mindset Flag

• Extracurricular activities such as volunteering as a learning, music or sports buddy or participating in Tandem Learning