Students at the Faculty of Ukrainian and Foreign Philology Valentyna Polevik (AN-41B), Zoryana Nyskohuz and Victoria Hula (PAN-35B) spent their 2022/23 winter semester at the Private Pedagogical University of Linz Diocese (Austria) studying under the Erasmus+ academic mobility program. Upon returning to Alma mater, they share their impressions.
Our studies began at the end of September with an introduction week, during which our coordinators gave us a tour of the university telling us how the educational process works, how to use the online platform, and we also met other students from our international group. In order to unite us and get to know the city, the coordinators organized various joint events including a gastro tour, where we had the opportunity to try different cuisines of the world.
At the university, we took an active part in seminars, book clubs and university events. We had interesting subjects, for example, “Developing English skills”, where they explained to us how to properly teach English to students of different age groups. We also learned how to analyze academic writing, its value at the lessons with “Strategies and error correction programs”. At the “Cuisine and Food Culture” workshop, we had the opportunity to taste a variety of Austrian national dishes, to cook Ukrainian dishes, in particular, varenyky and derunн which foreign students evidently liked. During our semester, we gained international experience, learned new things, learned from mistakes and constantly popularized Ukrainian education and culture.
We got acquainted with the Austrian school system because we practiced at a school. We improved our German language skills, developed practical communication skills with children of primary school age.
We can definitely state that the semester abroad is a great opportunity to gain new knowledge and experience, as well as to expand one’s worldview. During our studies and stay in Austria, we became more independent, more confident and learned many interesting things about different countries, their lifestyle, culture, and customs. We have many pleasant memories, good friends from many parts of the world and, of course, we have acquired the knowledge needed for future teaching work.
Valentyna Polevik, Zoryana Nyskohuz and Victoria Hula
