At the beginning of June, the annual international teaching event “Europe On Air” took place in Helsinki, bringing together students from Georgia, Austria, Belgium, Finland and Spain. Working in small intercultural groups, they spent a week producing radio features on the theme of segregation. Subjects ranged from gentrification, multiculturalism and integration to suburban life, housing and discriminatory school choice.
Intercultural team character and rhythmic storytelling
One focus was on the intercultural team character of the event. Different approaches, didactic attitudes and production methods of the countries were integrated in order to get to know innovative ways of working. The students were able to develop their radio journalistic skills and gain experience in dealing with interview partners and sources. Rhythmic storytelling was used as a creative method to present stories in a more structured and appealing way.
Diversity and perspectives against exclusion
Participants from different European cities contributed their skills and knowledge to the radio features. The contributions were radio-journalistically sophisticated and showed the diversity of interview partners and sources. The intercultural cooperation resulted in unique perspectives and creative approaches.
Intercultural and interpersonal skills
The course enabled the development not only of professional skills, but also of intercultural and interpersonal skills. The exchange with students from other countries promoted understanding of different perspectives and improved intercultural cooperation and communication.
Conclusion: A successful contribution to Europe’s diversity and integration
Europe On Air (EUROA) is an Erasmus Intensive Programme funded by the European Commission. In its ten years of existence, EUROA itself can be seen as a successful contribution to diversity and integration in Europe. Participants gain a distinctly international, European perspective on current issues and can gain their own intercultural experience, learn innovative ways of working and develop their radio journalism skills. The intercultural exchange opens up new perspectives on the topic and highlights the importance of diversity and integration in Europe.
Listen to all radio reports on “Aspects of segregation in Helsinki” here.
For more information about “Europe On Air” and the radio journalism training at FHWien der WKW, please contact:
Mag.a Karina Schwann
Academic Expert & Lecturer
Radio
karina.schwann@fh-wien.ac.at