Mestenhauser Academy for Leadership in Internationalization

The Mestenhauser Academy for International Leadership is a comprehensive four-month evidence-based professional development experience in leadership of institution-wide internationalization. Participants will gain skills with the support of internationally recognised trainers and guest speakers from the practice.

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Why Choose Our Program

MIIC has developed the Mestenhauser Academy program, drawing on MIIC’s expertise from the USA, the Netherlands, and Australia, to meet the critical needs of leaders of Internationalization in Central and Eastern Europe.

This program is designed to help leaders develop a strategic approach to institutionalizing internationalization at their university.

Highlights of the program include:

  • Modules taught by MIIC World Experts
  • Peer community and discussions
  • Discussions of national policies with EU policy makers
  • Consultations with experts
  • Access to online feed of resources on evidence-based decision making

Program Details

 

What to Expect
  • Grow your skills for evidence-based strategic leadership
  • Gain best practice and hands-on tools for strategic planning and evaluation
  • Gain an in-depth understanding of current and future trends in internationalization
  • Build a strong network of international leaders across the EU to exchange ideas and experiences
  • Develop evidence-based plans to address challenges in internationalization at your institution
Program Delivery
  • Introductory orientation meeting (30 min, March 2026)
  • An intensive 3 day in-person workshop that will address professionally relevant topics and hands-on tools. The workshop will allow participants to connect, develop skills and exchange experiences in an international learning community of their peers.
  • 2 follow-up online sessions (60 min) with input and peer discussion over implementations in institutional contexts.
  • Monthly feed of the latest literature and research to support the participants in evidence-based decision-making.
Program Eligibility

The program has been specifically designed for Vice Rectors, Vice Deans for Internationalization, Policy Advisors, and Senior Internationalization Officers who may choose to bring their International Office Directors with them.

Trainers
  • Dr. Darla Deardorff (former Executive Director of AIEA and currently UNESCO Chair on Intercultural Competence, Stellenbosch University)
  • Dr. Harvey Charles (former AIEA President and International Education Administrator and Scholar)
  • Dr. Jos Beelen (THUAS, Awardee of EAIE Presidential Award)
  • Dr. Eva Janebova (MIIC Director) 
Program Fees

Fee: 2,000 Euro (Early bird January 31st), 2,200 Euro (regular)

  • Discounts: ½ price for a 2nd participant from the same institution. (Other discounts available for partner institutions.)

The fee includes:

  • Tuition for the entire four-month professional development program, including 3-day in-person workshop in Prague, indiv. consultation and online sessions
  • Catering including a welcome dinner on Day 1, and Lunch and Coffee & Refreshments on Days 1-3
  • Individual Consultations with trainers
  • Access to Monthly Online Feed for evidence-based decision-making
  • (The fee does not cover accommodation and travel to Prague.)

Strengthen Your International Leadership Skills

The Mestenhauser Academy for International Leadership is a comprehensive four-month evidence-based professional development experience in  leadership of institution-wide internationalization. 

Dates:

  • April 12th-14th, 2026 (in-person)
  • March/May/June (online, dates TBA)

    2026 applications are now open! You can apply using this link.

    Program Schedule and Modules

     

    In-Person Day 1

    9:00-17:00

    Introduction: The Changing Mission of Universities, Peer Community, and Institutional Contexts

    Module: Leading Internationalisation: The Role of the Vice Rector/Senior International Officer  (H. Charles)

    • Exploring Roles of SIO and  applying Standards of Professional Practice – Tool
    • Goal setting for yourself and Responsible Leadership
      Peer Discussion

    Module: Intercultural Communication as a cornerstone of IZN  (D. Deardoff)

    • Understanding the theoretical foundations of intercultural communication for international educators and leaders
    • Planning professional development for academics and staff in global competences
    • Building an interculturally welcoming campus
      Assessing Intercultural Communication – Tool
    In-Person Day 2

    9:00-17:00

    Module: Comprehensive Internationalization (H. Charles, Guest: Rene Teunissen)

    • Using the American Council of Education Framework for understanding the components of comprehensive IZN
    • Your role in coordinating and communicating with boards and leadership, and EUA
    • Using the Mind Map Visualization for Comprehensive IZN planning – Tool

    Module: Internationalization of Curriculum (IoC) (D. Deardoff/J. Beelen)

    • Understanding the concepts of internationalisation at home and internationalisation of the curriculum, with their implications for institutional policies
    • Identifying top-down strategies that stimulate bottom-up curriculum development in departments and programmes of study
    • Embedding strategies for quality enhancement of Virtual Exchange/COIL within institutional policies

    Module: Understanding the fundamentals of Inclusion (J. Beelen/E.Janebova, Guest Renáta Tomášková)

    • Understanding the concept of inclusive Internationalization beyond mobility
    • Analysing and engaging stakeholders across the institution, Case studies, Implementation of Tools 
    • Cultural Readiness for Internationalization Model (M. Agnew), Capacity Building

    National Policies: Discussion with Policy Makers

    Individual Consultations with trainers 

      In-Person Day 3

      9:00-16:00

      World Cafe (Sounding Board Experts, Policy makers):

      • Strategy Planning towards Sustainability, Equity, and EUA
      • Participatory Leadership in EUA
      • Funding opportunities for IZN
      • Conscious Internationalization – integration of awareness/mindfulness-based practices into leadership


      Evidence-based decisions (D. Deardoff/J. Beelen/H. Charles)

      • Tool of collecting data for Comprehensive Internationalization across faculties

      Peer Discussion: Challenges and way forward (Application of the tools used during the workshop for individual institutional planning)

      Wrap up and next steps 

       

      Online Sessions

      There will be an optional online program orientation in March before the start of the in-person program. 

      There will be 2 follow-up online sessions in May and June after the in-person program concludes. These include:

      • Interactive Webinar: Topic to be decided by the participants
      • Online Presentations of Participants