Over a period of 15 years, FH JOANNEUM has continuously increased its international activities and is currently one of the leading Universities of Applied Sciences in Austria when it comes to student and staff mobility as well as international projects. FH JOANNEUM cooperates with more than 160 partner universities within the ERASMUS+ programme and another 50 universities in non-participating countries. Within the ERASMUS+ programme FH JOANNEUM has decided to focus on the establishment of strategic partnerships and quality assurance measures in all areas of mobility to further promote the internationalization process of the institution. Since FH JOANNEUM University of Applied Sciences is convinced that mobility opportunities for study and work abroad will increase our students' intercultural competence development and therefore help them to gain the key skills for the jobs of the future, one of the main objectives remains to cooperate with the best universities in our academic fields with a particular focus on central and northern Europe. When looking for new partner institutions, academic quality and degree programme compatibility shall be prioritized over regional aspects. We nevertheless strive to balance our international network in order to provide a representative regional selection to our students and staff when looking for mobility opportunities. Over the period of the Erasmus+ programme, FH JOANNEUM aims to increase its student mobility both in terms in quality and quantity. We hope to achieve a mobility rate of 20% in all our degree programmes in the 1st cycle. Students shall be provided with a choice of semester-long study abroad, short study abroad options or international internship opportunities. In the first year of Erasmus+ FH JOANNEUM University of Applied Sciences achieved notable exchange numbers, considering an overall student number of 4000. All in all - 175 students spent a semester abroad at one of our partner universities - 132 students completed a traineeship - 22 staff did a teaching mobility - 25 staff took part in the staff mobility for training programme The International Office (IO) plays an important role in securing the required services - it advises the management team, the rector and heads of degree programs on strategic aspects of internationalization, manages more than 200 partnership agreements with universities all over the world and also acts as the central service point for around 250 outgoing students, 130 Erasmus interns and 50 outgoing staff every year. It provides detailed information and advice about: - Partner universities - Grants and scholarships - Summer schools - ECTS and accreditation - Internships abroad - Erasmus applications and the relevant administrative processes - Visa requirements and health insurance and organizes information sessions for students and staff, a yearly Study Abroad Fair, intercultural preparation seminars and welcome-back events. For more than 250 incoming students and staff the IO provides: - General information and advice - Acceptance of nominations - Online application support - Acceptance letters - Information and support concerning accommodation, visa and residence permit - Buddy programme - Intensive German courses and Orientation programme before the semester start - Support with administrative issues - Continuous ongoing support - German courses on all levels during the semester - ÖSD (Austrian language diploma) exam centre - Tandem programme - Excursions to Vienna and Salzburg - Intercultural activities (Tandem cooking, culture nights, movie nights, international parties, hiking tours, Karaoke-nights?). In order to provide also students/staff who - for one reason or another - have never lived abroad with an international and intercultural experience, FH JOANNEUM has put a focus on "Internationalisation at Home" activities. They get the opportunity of experiencing diverse cultures and languages right on their own doorstep. It raises their awareness that intercultural skills also have an important role to play even on home ground and that the experiences gained can be of benefit later on, helping them with challenges they may face in their future professional lives. Examples for I@H activities are the TANDEM-programme, Buddy-project, international nights, pub quizzes, hiking tours and sports programmes as well as the organisation of an international incoming staff week, which takes place every other year and where all departments at FH JOANNEUM are invited meet with their colleagues and share work and cultural experience.