Internal internationalisation: we are announcing an exchange programme for young employees of UzhNU!
For more than two years, Uzhhorod National University has been cooperating with the Rzeszów Youth Association of International Projects "INPRO" within the framework of the student exchange programme. So far, more than 40 UzhNU students of various specialities have taken part in them. The exchange, which will take place in August 2023, has a special feature - not only students, but also employees of UzhNU structural units, aged 18 to 30, who work with young people, can take part in it. In total, participants are being recruited for 2 trips: 19-25 August for the training course "Inclusive Neighbourhoods: Transforming Communities". And also on 25-31 August - a 5-day study visit programme "Bridge the Gap: Study Visit", specially designed for youth workers and student activists. More information about these opportunities is available here.
According to Oksana Svezhentseva, Head of the International Relations Department, the cooperation with the INPRO Youth Association of International Projects is part of the Erasmus Youth Exchange Programme. "For this purpose, we passed a separate registration, and the university received a quality mark to be a conductor of such opportunities for young people. The main idea of these projects is the exchange of culture, ideas, skills, and communication."
Erika Stanko, a student of UzhNU, an employee of the International Relations Department of UzhNU, says: "This is a very valuable experience in communicating with peers from other countries - Hungary, Slovakia, Ukraine and Poland. Moreover, the participants from Poland are representatives of other countries living in Poland. These are students from Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Canada. It is also important that the main goal of these programmes is the exchange of culture. Representatives of each country have to organise an intercultural evening where they present their culture, traditions, and national dishes. It is interesting to share experiences with the mentor and trainers who conduct these activities, as they are also from different countries - Spain, Turkey, Armenia, Poland. Therefore, it is also an intercultural exchange. From my own experience, I can say that the programme is very rich in educational excursions and various activities."
According to Myroslava Lendiel, Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs, the International Relations Department is responsible for coordinating the internationalisation of education and the development of the university as a whole.
"However, we have set ourselves the goal of involving our colleagues from other structural units in this extremely interesting experience. In this way, all areas of our university will be in line with international trends, and we are convinced that we can do more together. We started the work on internal internationalisation with colleagues who are responsible for working with our students, applicants and graduates."
Nataliia Varshava, a leading specialist of the Centre for Humanitarian and Educational Work, Career Guidance and Employment, tells about her experience of participating in the exchange programme.
"Our internship took place from 17 to 21 July in Rzeszów, Poland. It was attended by participants from Hungary, Poland, Georgia and Ukraine. For 5 days we attended various trainings and workshops and were able to learn about the work of NGOs, the specifics of youth work and various Erasmus projects. It was also very interesting to communicate with participants from other countries, because we were able to share experiences, talk about the peculiarities of working with young people in our country, learn a lot about their countries and just make new friends. On one of the last days, we visited the castle in Lancut and were amazed by its scale and beauty. Overall, the internship left only pleasant impressions, and I am grateful for this opportunity and will be happy to share the knowledge I have gained with my colleagues."
It is worth noting that the application deadline is 9 August 2023. A mandatory requirement for participation is a 1-page motivation letter in English sent to dep-irelations@uzhnu.edu.ua. For more details on the terms of participation in the programme, please follow the link.
