International Staff Week
From Systems to Stories
Building smooth processes for students in internationalisation and student service
1-5 December 2025, at FHV in Dornbirn
Why Participate?
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Learn from real-life experiences and best practices
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Exchange knowledge with colleagues
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Discover new tools and methods in a supportive setting
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Gain inspiration for your daily work
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Engage with EU values in higher education
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Enjoy the winter atmosphere of Dornbirn and the surrounding Alps
Join us in the heart of the Alps for a unique staff experience!
This staff week brings together colleagues from around the globe to share expertise, learn from each other, and explore innovative approaches in internationalisation and student services. With two tailored programme tracks and a focus on practical exchange, you’ll leave with fresh insights, new contacts, and a taste of alpine winter charm.
Programme contents
Our week combines structured learning sessions with time for networking and reflection. Participants can expect thematic workshops, best practice exchange, and an interactive session on EU values.
For colleagues working in student exchange, international partnerships, and global strategies.
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From Systems to Stories – Best Practices in Internationalisation
This interactive session invites participants to share and discuss successful practices from their home institutions. Moving beyond tools and templates, we explore how well-designed systems can create space for meaningful, student-centred experiences. Selected participants will present real-world stories of innovation and transformation in international office work. - Motivating Students for International Experiences
How can we inspire more students to take part in international learning – both abroad and at home? This session focuses on strategies for increasing participation in long-term mobility, short-term formats, and internationalisation at home. Together, we will explore what motivates different student groups and how institutions can tailor their communication and support services to diverse needs. - Digitalising Mobility – Insights from five years of Erasmus Without Paper (EWP)
In Europe, the Erasmus Without Paper (EWP) initiative has aimed to streamline administrative processes for student mobility. But what have we really learned after five years of digitalisation? This session offers insights from FHV as an early adopter and invites all participants to discuss the challenges and opportunities of digital transformation in international education – regardless of their regional context or platform. - Evaluating Your Partner Network – Looking Ahead Strategically
As institutions around the world adapt to changing student expectations and funding frameworks, it’s time to review our international partnerships. How can we assess the quality, strategic relevance, and long-term value of existing collaborations? This session introduces tools and perspectives to help institutions shape resilient, forward-looking networks.
For colleagues working in admissions, student records, curriculum planning, or academic advising – especially those involved with international students or programmes.
- From First Contact to Student Status – Managing the Applicant Journey
How do we engage prospective students early on and accompany them through their decision-making process? This session offers space for exchange on contact generation, building meaningful connections, and analysing drop-off rates between application and enrolment. We’ll also explore how AI is currently being used by institutions to enhance applicant communication and data tracking. Bring your insights and questions – and let’s compare notes! - Centralising vs. Decentralising – Rethinking the Application Process
How can higher education institutions structure the application process most effectively? In this session, we’ll explore the benefits and challenges of centralised versus decentralised models, drawing on real-life examples from FHV. Participants will gain insights into a major change process within our Department of Engineering, where responsibilities were reshaped and digital tools such as A5 Campus Management System enabled a shift towards self-service. Join the discussion and share your own institutional experiences! - From Enrolment to Engagement – Attracting and Retaining International Students
This two-part session dives into how institutions can better support international students – from first contact to long-term retention. The first part invites open discussion on strategies for recruiting international degree-seeking students, helping them integrate into campus life, and encouraging them to stay in the region after graduation. We continue with an input on non-traditional study paths, with an example of integrating international students into research activities early on or making PhD studies possible even without PhD programmes on offer. - Processes in the Student Life Cycle – Microcredentials and Short Learning Opportunities
How can universities build digital processes to support new learning formats such as Microcredentials and Short Learning Opportunities? In this session, we share how FHV integrates these offers into existing structures and what process logic drives our implementation. Together, we’ll explore how administrative workflows can adapt to innovative formats without losing track of quality and transparency.
Preliminary schedule
Morning |
Afternoon |
Evening |
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Monday |
Individual arrival | 17:00 - 20:00 Drop-in for registration and networking with Austrian snacks & drinks |
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Tuesday |
9:00 - 12:00 Interactive opening & campus tour |
13:30 - 16:00 Thematic sessions (parallell tracks) |
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Wednesday |
9:30 - 12:00 Thematic sessions (parallel tracks) |
13:30 - 16:00 Thematic sessions (parallell tracks) |
17:30 Visit to Christmas market* |
Thursday |
8:30 - 9:30 9:30 - 12:00 |
13:30 - 15:30 Joint workshop on EU values* 16:00 - 17:00 Possibility for individual 1:1 meetings* |
17:30 |
Friday |
9:00 - 12:00 Reflection & wrap up |
Individual departure |
*optional attendance
Please note: We intentionally designed the schedule with space for informal exchange and personal work time – so you won’t miss your emails or urgent tasks back home.
Language, costs & participation
- Language requirements:
English (minimum required level: B2) - Participation fee: none
However, participants are expected to cover their own travel and accommodation costs, as well as personal expenses such as lunch and the visit to the Christmas market (optional). - Selection process:
Due to limited capacity we aim to select participants who are ready to engage actively in the programme. Preference will be given to those who indicate in the registration form that they would be willing to contribute to workshop discussions or share relevant practices from their institution.
Certification & Erasmus+ Mobility Agreement
- All participants will receive a digital certificate of attendance at the end of the Staff Week.
- Participants planning an Erasmus+ staff mobility for Training (STT) are welcome to contact international@fhv.at in advance to arrange the necessary documents and signatures for their Mobility Agreement.
Please make sure that the documents meet the requirements of your institution and are complete, we cannot sign blank or incomplete documents. - Necessary Information about FHV for your Erasmus+ Mobility Agreement:
| Name | FHV - Vorarlberg University of Applied Sciences | Faculty/Department | International Office |
| Erasmus Code | A DORNBIR01 | Country | Austria / AT |
| Address | CAMPUS V, Hochschulstrasse 1 6850 Dornbirn |
Contact person e-mail / phone | katja.riedmann@fhv.at +43 5572 792 1205 |
| Contact person name and position | Katja Riedmann Staff Exchange Coordinator |
Size of enterprise (if applicable) | > 250 employees |
Accommodation and Transport
Go Green!
Sustainability at the heart of the event
We are committed to hosting this International Staff Week as sustainably as possible. That means: reusable dishes, regional catering, minimal waste, and carefully selected giveaways.
We kindly invite you to support us in making this event as environmentally friendly as possible. Here’s how you can contribute:
- Choose greener travel options whenever possible – and check our Accommodation & Transport Information for tips on sustainable travel to and within Dornbirn.
- Offset your CO₂ emissions if flying is necessary. Trusted platforms are atmosfair or myclimate.
- Choose plant-based and regional food options whenever available – reducing animal products is one of the easiest ways to lower your environmental impact.
- Bring your reusable water bottle – Dornbirn’s tap water is delicious, high quality, and free.
- Use public transport or walk – Dornbirn has a compact city centre and good bus connections.
- Avoid disposable items – and feel free to say no to giveaways you don’t need.
Let’s create a meaningful and sustainable international experience – together.
FAQs
The event is open to staff working in international offices, student services, mobility coordination, internationalisation strategies, or related areas – regardless of whether they are part of the Erasmus+ programme or not.
Yes, we encourage participants to play an active role in our staff week and provide a contribution or share a best practice example. Feel free to inform us within the registration form what kind of contribution you would like to make.
Yes, all venues are wheelchair accessible. If you have specific access needs, please let us know in advance so we can assist you.
Yes, free Wi-Fi will be available at all event venues. You’ll receive access details upon arrival.
Yes – but please be aware of roaming charges.
- If you are from an EU country, you can usually use your mobile data in Austria and other EU countries without extra charges, thanks to the EU's roam like at home policy. However, Switzerland is not part of the EU, so EU roaming rules do not apply there. Even receiving text messages in Switzerland can result in high charges, depending on your provider.
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If you are from outside the EU, you may face roaming charges both in Austria and Switzerland. Please check with your mobile provider before travelling to find out what costs may apply.
Important tips if you arrive via Zurich Airport (Switzerland):
- We recommend keeping your phone in flight mode until you cross the border into Austria (or another EU country) – especially if your provider charges high roaming fees.
- Please also note: Not all Swiss trains offer free Wi-Fi, and using mobile data during your train ride can become expensive if you don’t have a Swiss data plan or roaming package.
- To avoid unexpected costs, consider:
- Using Wi-Fi at airports, hotels, or the FHV campus
- Purchasing a travel SIM card or eSIM for Europe
- Checking with your provider about data roaming packages
The dress code is casual. Make sure to bring warm, weather-proof clothing and shoes suitable for winter – especially for the outdoor evening at the Christmas market.
Some meals are included in the programme (e.g. Austrian snacks for welcome, coffee breaks, farewell dinner). Lunches and some evening activities are at participants’ own expense – see the detailed programme for more information.
Most places accept credit and debit cards, but some small shops or Christmas market stalls may prefer cash. ATMs are widely available in the city centre.
Yes! Tap water in Austria is of excellent quality and perfectly safe to drink. We encourage you to bring a reusable bottle and fill it throughout the week.
Expect winter temperatures between -5°C and +10°C, possibly with snow. Please bring warm clothes and suitable shoes – especially for our visit to the Christmas market!
Most Shops in Dornbirn close at 6.00 p.m. Supermarkets close at 7.00 p.m., there is one small supermarktet at the train station which is open until 9.00 p.m. Shops are usually closed on Sundays and public holidays, so plan ahead if you need groceries or snacks.