The PEERS Concept, a New Approach to Internationalization of Teacher Education

Abstract

Today’s Higher Education is facing the challenge of a Global World, an interconnected multifaceted reality. The Universities of Teacher Education have to respond to the need to create a process of integrating an international and cultural dimension into the teaching, research and service functions of the institution itself. Developing an international and intercultural comprehensive frame is an extension of the academic horizon and it is an improvement of the quality, and international academic standards. PEERS is based on a student exchange project commonly defined by a group of students being part of the University of Teacher Education of State of Vaud (HEP Vaud), in association with a group of students from a Partner Institution. Each team will be coached by one faculty member from each Institution involved in the project. Faculty may also carry out joint research works or establish a common interest ground to develop future research with the partner Institution. Through this communication we wish to explain the PEERS concept and the benefits it offers in comparison with other internationalization programs in teacher education. We will present the results of a questionnaire based on the quality approach paradigm and suggest some avenues for future PEERS developments.