Developing Intercultural Skills in Lugano!

From 26 to 29 March, Lugano, Switzerland, became a melting pot of perspectives and values when over 20 international students came together for EucA’s Intercultural Connection: Becoming Globally Fluent event - exploring what it truly means to engage across cultures in today’s interconnected world.

Throughout the four-day program - organized by EucA in collaboration with Franklin University Switzerland, Perrotis College, and IDI LLC -   the participants were challenged to look deep within themselves, develop openness, and strengthen essential communication skills. 

Guided by experts, the students actively practiced dialogue, empathetic listening, and conflict-resolution techniques to navigate differences with empathy and awareness. These experiences allowed intercultural exchange to move beyond theory and become a lived, collaborative process.

“For me, the most valuable aspect was seeing how, even though you may not think you have an influence on someone, everyone played a role to make it into what it was” says N.K., one of the students. “Everyone was open-minded, welcoming and positive. It was really amazing to be a part of that.”

The experience in Lugano reinforced a key message for higher education and beyond: intercultural competence is not an additional or optional skill, but a core capability for thriving in global societies, workplaces, and communities.

As participants returned from Lugano, they carried with them more than just an experience; they left with strengthened intercultural skills, greater self-awareness, and a deeper commitment to fostering belonging wherever they go.

International participants of the Intercultural Connection event, in Lugano | 26-29 March 2026