Crossing Borders International Week 2027 - Social and Health Studies

• Tuesday 18 May 
  Welcome & opening lecture • Workshops and lectures • Social activity  
• Wednesday 19 May 
  Workshops and lectures • International Exchange Fair • Field visits • International dinner 
• Thursday 20 May 
  Workshops and lectures • Networking & collaboration meetings • Closing & evaluation 

Practical information 

• 18-20 May 2027
• Antwerp, Belgium – KdG University of Applied Sciences and Arts 
• Application deadline: 14 December 2026  

We select a maximum number of 30 participants. Selected participants will be announced on January 8 at the latest. 

Participation is free of charge. Travel and accommodation are covered by your home institution, preferably through Erasmus+ Staff Mobility funding. 

Register now

As a guest lecturer, you are invited to propose a 1,5-hour workshop or lecture. Subject to final planning, we expect that you will be able to present this twice during the week. 

Possible topics include:

• Culture, ethnicity, language, religion and different worldviews in professional practice – exploring how cultural backgrounds, beliefs and values shape social work, health, care, education and professional relationships. 
• Gender, sexuality, LGBTQIA+ identities and intersectionality – exploring how gender, sexuality and LGBTQIA+ identities intersect with religion and other aspects of identity, and how professionals can address stigma, discrimination and conflicting perspectives while fostering inclusive practice. 
• Bias, stereotypes, discrimination and racism – recognising how conscious and unconscious bias can influence professional decisions, interactions and opportunities. 
• Socio-economic inequality and its impact on health, wellbeing, development and participation – understanding how social circumstances create unequal opportunities and outcomes. 
• Disability, neurodiversity and inclusion – exploring different needs and perspectives and creating accessible, inclusive environments in care, education, work and society. 
• Communication across cultural and linguistic differences – developing inclusive and culturally sensitive ways of communicating with clients, patients, children, families, colleagues and communities. 

You can also introduce tools and practices such as intercultural communication, addressing unconscious bias, working with interpreters, intersectional approaches, inclusive professional practices, creating safe and brave spaces, or dealing with tensions and value differences. 

Interactive and creative approaches are especially welcome: cases, simulations, role play, storytelling, dialogue, games, dilemma exercises, arts-based methods or lived-experience perspectives. 

Your workshop or lecture may connect directly to your professional expertise or take a broader perspective on diversity. 

Participating KdG students will mainly be second-year students from the Bachelor’s and Associate Degree programmes in Social Work, as well as students from the Bachelor’s programmes in Socio-Educational Care Work, Human Resource Management, Nursing, Midwifery and Early Childhood Education. International students participating in our Crossing Borders exchange programme will also take part. 

You will also meet colleagues from our European and Global South partner institutions, creating an international and interdisciplinary environment for exchange and networking. 

Beyond teaching, there will be opportunities to visit local social or health organisations, explore future collaborations and discover Antwerp.   

Furthermore, as a participant you will have the opportunity to join activities organised as part of United, the annual IDAHOT (International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia) programme of KdG within the Antwerp University Association, taking place during the same week. 

A week to share, learn, connect and discover. 

Getting to Antwerp

You can reach Antwerp easily by plane or train.

By plane

• Brussels Airport (Zaventem) is the main international airport and the easiest option. From here, you can reach Antwerp in about 45 minutes:
  • Airport Express Bus direct to Antwerp city centre.
  • Direct train from to Antwerp Central Station (via Brussels).
• Brussels South Charleroi Airport is mainly used by low-cost airlines (Ryanair, Wizz Air). With a direct shuttle bus, or a bus + train combination, you will reach Antwerp in 1.5 to 2 hours.
• Antwerp Airport (Deurne) is a small airport with limited international flights. By bus or tram, you reach the city centre in 15–25 minutes.
• Eindhoven Airport (NL) is also popular for low-cost flights. You can take a FlixBus to Antwerp (± 75 minutes) or bus + train via Eindhoven and Breda.

By train

• Antwerp has two main stations: Antwerp Central Station and Berchem station.
• Antwerp is well connected to the European high-speed rail network, including Thalys and Eurostar.
• International railway lines connect Antwerp to many major European cities:
  • The Netherlands: Amsterdam, Rotterdam
  • France: Paris, Lille
  • Germany: Cologne, Düsseldorf
  • United Kingdom: via Eurostar to Brussels, then a local train to Antwerp

You can find here an overview of hotel options in Antwerp.