The internationalisation of studies in adult education. The Example of COMPALL: Comparative Studies in Adult Education and Lifelong Learning

Abstract

This paper analyses international contexts of adult education and higher education as a framework for the COMPALL Joint Module. The module is designed to develop international knowledge, comparative research methods, intercultural competences, didactical insights, and networking experiences. The paper outlines the structure of the module and describes how such internationalisation impacts the participants. The evaluation shows that participants of the Joint Module develop not only intercultural competences, but also methodological, didactical, and networking competences. Furthermore, the module forges close partnerships between the respective universities as well as sustainable networks that extend beyond those of young students in adult education. The Joint Module gave several participants a fresh outlook on employability by integrating international perspectives into their prospective work contexts.

Keywords

• adult education
• internationalisation
• comparative adult education
• professionalization
• higher education