The course was hosted by the DOK programme and open to all PhD programmes at the University of St.Gallen. Two participants received travel scholarships. The course strove to combine fieldwork on intercultural competence and research methods with the PhD students’ individual projects.

The PhD Field School explored practical and theoretical approaches to intercultural communication competence. Multi-cultural Singapore served as an example for approaches to intercultural competence. Using Singapore as a platform for fieldwork and total immersion in East Asian cultures, the Field School explored how to foster intercultural awareness and communication skills by focusing on the triple aspects of (1) ‘knowing’, (2) ‘seeing’ and (3) ‘feeling’ the ‘other’ culture. While learning about the historical, political and social aspects of Singaporean culture, the participants observed people and their customs to understand how they perceive their world.

Activities to experience Asia included visits to the Straits Times, National Museum, National Gallery, Chinatown hawker-cum-chocolatier Jialiang Lim, and Singapore’s Writers Festival; talks by Prof. Luke Lu, Nanyang Technological University; and Prof. Dr. Gralf Sieghold. Prof. Berg’s lectures highlighted Singaporean history, culture and also research and fieldwork methodology.

The course has received excellent student feedback, confirming it as a great success. It is planned to offer the course again in Autumn 2021 as part of the biannual cycle hosted by the DOK programme.