For Maksym Perepelytsia and Sofiia Kostiuchenko, students in the speciality 292 “International Economic Relations”, this experience is an important practical component of their studies. Staying in a foreign academic environment allowed the students not only to improve their professional English proficiency but also to become directly familiar with European business models, the peculiarities of intercultural communication, and modern methods of conducting international dialogue. The acquired knowledge and skills directly contribute to the formation of a global vision of economic processes, which is essential for their further professional development.
The educational process in Denmark has its own characteristic features, oriented toward practical training and the development of critical thinking. Maksym and Sofiia share detailed impressions of their adaptation to new teaching methodologies, their teamwork on projects, and specific aspects of student life in Denmark.
“During the spring semester of the 2025/2026 academic year, we had the opportunity to study under the credit academic mobility program at the Zealand Academy of Technologies and Business in Roskilde, Denmark, located in the east of the island of Zealand. This experience became not only an important stage in our studies but also a wonderful opportunity to experience a new culture, improve our English language skills, and make friends from around the world.
The Zealand Academy of Technologies and Business made a highly positive impression on us from the very first day. Its campus is a modern, well-thought-out space fully tailored to students’ needs. The classrooms are equipped with everything necessary for productive work, including state-of-the-art technology, high-speed internet, and ergonomic workspaces. Additionally, the academy has cosy recreation areas and dedicated co-working spaces for collaborative projects. The friendly and relaxed atmosphere at the institution proved especially valuable to us. The democratic communication style, where teachers and students interact as equal colleagues, significantly eased and accelerated our adaptation to the new environment.
Throughout the semester, we mastered several specialised subjects directly related to our field of study. The educational process had a distinct practical focus, centring on the development of applied professional skills. Special emphasis was placed on project-based work, detailed analysis of real-world business cases, and teamwork during every class. Since the instruction was conducted entirely in English, it enabled us to significantly improve our language proficiency and gain confidence in international professional communication.
Teaching methodologies in Denmark differ noticeably from the approaches we are accustomed to in Ukraine. The Danish educational model is based on the active involvement of students in the learning process. During classes, instructors encourage open discussions, exchange of ideas, and independent problem-solving. A significant part of the work is carried out in groups, where students jointly develop projects and prepare presentations. At the same time, teachers act more as mentors and advisors, guiding the learning process rather than merely transmitting ready-made knowledge. This approach effectively fosters the development of critical thinking, a sense of responsibility, and teamwork skills.
Student life in Denmark proved to be highly harmonious and rich. The academy has active student associations that regularly organise various events for international students, which significantly facilitated our adaptation and integration into the new environment. Throughout the semester, we gladly participated in cultural evenings, themed meetings, and integration excursions. Furthermore, we had a wonderful opportunity to travel around the country and visit several Danish cities. The trip to Copenhagen was particularly memorable: the capital impressed us with its unique atmosphere, where majestic historical buildings harmoniously coexist with masterpieces of modern architecture.
One of the most important aspects of the program was intercultural dialogue. We managed to find friends and like-minded people from different corners of the world—from European countries to Asia. Close communication with them allowed us to gain a deeper understanding of other cultures, customs, and traditions, which significantly broadened our horizons. Studying, travelling, and spending leisure time together helped create strong friendships that extend far beyond the academic environment. This experience of international interaction has become a truly valuable life achievement for us, and its memories will remain with us forever.
During our stay in Denmark, we also formulated several practical tips that may be useful for future exchange program participants. First, it is extremely important to develop self-organisation and time-management skills, as a significant portion of the educational process is based on independent study. Second, we advise actively participating in student initiatives and extracurricular activities, as this is the easiest way to make new friends and integrate into the local community. Third, the best solution for daily commuting around the city is a bicycle, which is an integral part of Danish culture and the most convenient mode of transport.
We can already state that the semester of exchange studies at the Zealand Academy of Technologies and Business has been an extremely valuable experience for us. Not only have we enriched our knowledge and professional competencies, but we have also become more independent, self-confident, and open to new challenges. This period gave us many warm memories and became a significant step on the path of our personal and professional development.
We express our sincere gratitude to the administration of Poltava Polytechnic for their comprehensive support, assistance in developing international academic mobility, and the opportunity to gain this valuable European experience!” – say Sofiia and Maksym.
National University “Yuri Kondratyuk Poltava Polytechnic” has been closely cooperating with ZEALAND Academy of Technologies and Business for 3 years, which cordially hosts Poltava Polytechnic students for studies under the Credit Academic Mobility programs. For example, in the fall of 2023, three Polytechnic students studied there – Iryna Hasan, Mariia Dykan, and Viktoriia Viazovska (you can read about their mobility experience here and here); in the fall of 2024, four students from the Institute of Architecture, Construction, and Land Management studied there (you can read about their impressions of mobility here and here). Additionally, the successful studies of students Yeva Domkina, Mariia Parasotska, Ruslana Kravchenko, and Polina Khlystun during the 2025/2026 academic year can be read about here and here.
As a reminder, faculty members of Poltava Polytechnic can participate in academic mobility programs and internships. At the same time, students can study abroad under Erasmus+ credit academic mobility grant programs for a semester or a full academic year at leading universities in Austria, Greenland, Denmark, Estonia, Spain, Lithuania, Latvia, Norway, the Netherlands, Germany, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Finland, and the Czech Republic.
For more detailed information regarding current internship, teaching, and academic mobility programs abroad, please get in touch with the International Relations Department (Office 213-C, interoffice@nupp.edu.ua).
