The intercultural impact of the Erasmus Programme on Hungarian students, with special regard to students of medicine and health care

Abstract

This Phd research aimed at investigating the intercultural impact of the Erasmus mobility programme on Hungarian students, especially medical and health care students. Another goal was to find out whether preliminary information concerning the culture of the host country has a positive impact on the level of satisfaction Hungarian students perceive with regard to their studies and cultural experience in the host country. The findings of the research indicate that the Erasmus programme contributes to developing the intercultural competences of Hungarian students regarding the development made in their language and cultural knowledge, awareness and work-related skills. An interesting result this study revealed is that students’ satisfaction with their studies and cultural experience is greatly influenced by the preliminary cultural information they are provided by before the start of their programme. However, as not all students are mobile, alternative methods should be implemented in the education system, including medical and health care education to increase the intercultural competence of non-mobile students locally.