The "Intercultural Learning Network," or "ICLN" for short, is an educational project of the Institute of Economics in which students collaborate with students from Clausthal University of Technology’s international partner universities to conduct a business simulation. The concept of networking runs throughout the entire course. Students work in an international context and gain firsthand experience with the unique challenges of an intercultural team.

The business simulation is conducted using a browser-based simulation tool. Students of different nationalities form joint working groups that compete against one another in a virtual market. Participants take on responsibility for a virtual but realistic company. They fill various roles within the virtual firm and form and lead teams. Each group starts in a different region and must develop different strategies tailored to local markets in order to survive and expand successfully.

Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Pfau and Jens Hilgedieck, M.Sc., received second place in the 2014 Clausthal University Teaching Award for this teaching concept.