English-taught semester Active Health (autumn)

Minimum 3 successfully completed semesters or an equivalent of 90 ECTS in a Bachelor in the domain of sports or health sciences. This will need to be confirmed by means of an official certificate, a survey of completed courses, or a signed letter from the sending university. It’s also advisable that the students are eager to participate in interactive courses and show engagement.

Click here for Howest language expectations.

All students should bring their own laptop, with all necessary and officially licensed software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint). There is no specific additional software required. Howest applies a very strict policy on the use of legal software

Non-exchange students are not able to attend this international semester.

Culture & Health explores how cultural contexts shape health beliefs, behaviours, and outcomes across diverse populations. The course prepares students to work more effectively in multicultural health and social care settings by combining theoretical insights with practical communication and intervention skills.

Topics include: an introduction to key concepts in culture and health; principles and challenges of intercultural communication in healthcare; the influence of migration and globalisation on health risks, access to care, and health equity; and cultural differences in how illness, health, and care are perceived and explained. Students learn techniques for health promotion tailored to specific cultural groups, with attention to trust-building, culturally relevant messaging, and community engagement.

Through case studies, interactive exercises, and applied assignments, participants develop competences to recognise cultural determinants of health, adapt their communication style, and design or support health promotion initiatives that are responsive to the needs of culturally diverse target groups.

Event Organisation is a hands-on course in which students design, implement, and evaluate a health promotion event for a specific target group. The course guides students through the full event cycle, from initial concept to final reflection, with a strong emphasis on participation and real-life impact.

Students define the event’s objectives and content themselves, based on the needs and context of their chosen audience, and in close collaboration with that target group and relevant partner organisations. They develop an event concept, translate this into a concrete programme and logistics plan, and take responsibility for the practical execution on the day of the event.

In addition, students create and implement a promotion plan to reach and engage their target group effectively, using appropriate channels and messages. By the end of the course, they are able to plan and organise a health-promoting event in a structured way, work collaboratively with stakeholders, and critically evaluate both the process and outcomes of their intervention.

Climb & Combat is a practical skills course focused on developing proficiency in climbing and combat sports techniques. Students enhance their specific motor skills, tactical understanding, and safety awareness through targeted training and progressive challenges.

Climbing Module: 
Students demonstrate core climbing competencies for bouldering. They apply knowledge of grip types, footwork, body positioning, route reading and risk management to perform safely and efficiently on various wall types and difficulty levels.

Combat Module:
Students master fundamental skills in boxing, kickboxing and stick- & sword fighting. They execute diverse offensive and defensive techniques with control, precision, and tactical awareness, while respecting rules, partner safety and ethical sparring principles.

Through supervised practice, partner drills, and scenario-based exercises, participants build confidence, physical conditioning, and interdisciplinary skills applicable to health promotion, self-defence training and recreational sports leadership.

Coaching and Training Project is a project-based course where teams of students are assigned to real-world organisations or companies to design, promote, organise, and implement tailored movement interventions and health promotion initiatives. Students collaborate closely with their partner to assess needs, develop innovative solutions, and deliver impactful sessions that foster long-term engagement in physical activity and wellbeing.

Working step-by-step, students first map the organisation's context and participants' baseline through active listening and needs assessment, ensuring interventions are customised and evidence-based. They innovate with challenging, meaningful activities while prioritising safety, providing clear instructions, feedback, and motivational coaching during sessions, and using efficient organisational formats.

The course emphasises professional communication with partners and instructors, effective teamwork within the student group, reflective evaluation of their approach, and research into wellbeing, health, and movement science. Combining theoretical foundations from lectures and digital materials with guided work sessions, students progressively build and roll out their intervention, gaining practical skills for workplace health promotion, training, and coaching roles.

Sports Sociology examines the profound societal meaning and impact of sport as a social phenomenon deeply embedded in our culture, far beyond mere competition or physical activity. Students critically explore the diverse functions sport serves in modern society and develop a sociological lens to analyse its role in addressing contemporary issues.

The course covers key functions of sport, including its contributions to physical and mental health; recreation and enjoyment; personal and group identity formation; community cohesion and bonding; education in values and norms; socialisation into societal expectations; inclusion and integration of diverse groups; political and diplomatic influence; and economic drivers like commercial interests and industry growth.

Through interactive sessions featuring current cases and real-world examples, students tackle societal challenges in sport - from inequality and commercialisation to inclusion and policy impacts - from a sociological perspective. By the end of the course, participants gain insights to act more consciously, critically, and socially responsibly in their future roles within sports, health promotion, or community settings.

Innovation Project offers students a compact work placement experience (6 ECTS), embedding them within the research teams of the Digital Health Lab or Sports Innovation Campus as junior contributors. Like a mini-internship, participants gain authentic professional exposure through hands-on involvement in cutting-edge projects that bridge theory and practice in health and sports sciences.

Students assist with core research activities, deliver services to external partners, rigorously test innovative equipment and technologies, and support the implementation of new solutions within living lab settings. This includes evaluating prototypes, collecting data on usability and performance, collaborating with industry stakeholders, and contributing to iterative development cycles.

Through this practical immersion, students develop expertise in innovation processes, research methodologies, and technology transfer, alongside essential teamwork, problem-solving, and project management skills for future careers in digital health, sports technology, or applied research.

This English course provides exchange students with training in speaking, listening, reading and writing skills, all focused on their ongoing or upcoming academic experience. The lecturer will take the diversity of academic areas of the participants into account, by addressing a range of topics and choosing subjects that are relevant to the attending students wherever possible. The course aims at the B2 proficiency level. We strongly recommended it to all exchange students who have not fully achieved the B2-level in English at the moment of application for their mobility project. For the more proficient students, we still see the course as an interesting immersion experience.