Intercultural competence through intercultural learning is a buzzword of the 21st century. Globalization, increased immigration, and the ongoing trend towards multicultural societies mean that these terms are no longer foreign to the majority of the population. Even at a young age, students can meet peers from other cultures through international exchange programs, allowing them to develop or enhance their skills in interacting with people from different cultural backgrounds early on. Ann-Kathrin Hörl examines the extent to which intercultural learning can actually be achieved or promoted through international exchange programs. She first considers the topic of intercultural learning from the perspective of intercultural pedagogy and the viewpoint of intercultural exchange research.