In times of contemporary challenges, international academic mobility acquires special significance for Ukrainian students. ICM programmes, particularly Erasmus+, serve as an effective tool for supporting young people, enabling them to integrate into the European educational and research space. Studying abroad helps higher education students acquire advanced knowledge, develop highly demanded skills, and represent Ukraine on the international stage. The experience gained and the established contacts will serve as significant resources for the post-war reconstruction of our state. National University “Yuri Kondratyuk Poltava Polytechnic” systematically develops international partnerships, creating appropriate conditions for the comprehensive development of its students.
Kateryna Bondarenko, a student in group 303-EM majoring in Speciality 073 “Management”, is currently gaining valuable international academic experience. Thanks to the Erasmus+ programme, she received the opportunity to study at the University of Applied Sciences BFI Vienna in Austria. Currently, Kateryna is studying there for the second consecutive semester, which has allowed her to immerse herself even more deeply in the academic process at the partner HEI, develop her professional competencies, and adapt to the international environment.
Kateryna sincerely shares her reflections on studying abroad, mastering new disciplines, and personal growth: “Studying in Austria continues to open new horizons and meanings for me, and the current stage has become particularly rich in events, acquaintances, and personal discoveries. With each passing month, I integrate deeper into the international student environment – a space where different cultures, educational approaches, and philosophies of life are harmoniously combined.
The academic component of this period has been dynamic, profound, and oriented towards the practical application of knowledge. The educational process is structured so that the theoretical foundation is immediately integrated with the analysis of real business challenges.
The “Negotiations” course proved to be particularly interactive. Instead of traditional lectures, we participated weekly in simulations of real business negotiations. Working in teams, we took on the roles of investors, startup founders, or corporate lawyers. This taught us to make quick decisions under tight time constraints, recognise opponents’ tactics, seek compromises, and, most importantly, take into account partners’ cross-cultural differences, which directly influence the course of negotiations.
The financial block, represented by the courses “Investment & Financing” and “International Corporate Finance”, provided an opportunity to master detailed analysis tools. We analysed companies’ capital structures, investment-attraction mechanisms, and the assessment of financial risks in global markets. Working with real financial statements and case studies of well-known corporations helped us understand how strategic financial decisions are made and how macroeconomic factors affect business valuation.
At the same time, the “International Dimensions of Sustainability” course allowed us to look at business from a different perspective. Today, a company’s success is measured not only by profit but also by its impact on society and the environment. We studied the ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) principles, analysed the circular economy concept, and examined case studies of companies that successfully integrate green technologies into their business models while maintaining competitiveness.
The subject “Austrian Language and Culture” occupied a special place in my schedule. This was not merely a language course, but a deep immersion into the country’s context. In addition to studying vocabulary and grammar, we analysed historical events and the specifics of the Austrian mentality and business etiquette. This helped me better understand local rules of life, simplify daily communication, and boost my confidence during my integration into Austrian society.
In synergy, these disciplines formed a coherent and multifaceted vision of the modern business world. I saw how financial strategies, ethical standards of sustainable development, and effective communication, taking into account the cultural context, work together to create a successful international business. It is gratifying to feel growing confidence in using the English language in professional communication. At the same time, German is also gradually becoming a natural part of my daily life. The ability to easily make oneself understood in everyday situations or maintain a simple conversation brings special satisfaction and a sense of progress.
Outside the classroom, life is no less active. International evenings, joint travel, and cosy gatherings with friends from around the world help you learn more about other cultures and create long-lasting memories. It is in such moments that the value of this experience is felt most vividly.
The spring transformation of Vienna became a special source of inspiration. With the first warmth, the city seems to come alive: parks fill with people, the streets grow livelier, and the atmosphere lightens. Walking around the city, discovering new cosy coffee shops, and attending cultural events have become an integral and very pleasant part of my life here.
This period has given me not only new knowledge but also an important sense of self-confidence. Living abroad teaches independence, flexibility, and openness to the world. It is precisely through such experiences that one realises that studying abroad is not only about education but also about profound personal growth.
Looking back on this path, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my alma mater – National University “Yuri Kondratyuk Poltava Polytechnic”. Special thanks go to the Rector’s Office, the International Relations Department, and the academic staff of my department for their support, assistance with paperwork, and the opportunity to join the Erasmus+ programme. Poltava Polytechnic truly opens the world to its students, providing real opportunities for international development and a professional start. Upon my return, I aim to utilise the experience gained here as effectively as possible to contribute to the development of my home academic community and the reconstruction of Ukraine”.
We are proud of our students who represent National University “Yuri Kondratyuk Poltava Polytechnic” with dignity at the international level, and we wish Kateryna further success in her studies and new personal and professional achievements!
You can read about Kateryna Bondarenko’s first impressions of studying at the University of Applied Sciences BFI Vienna here and here.
In the previous academic year, students Tetiana Holub and Karyna Kalnyk studied at the University of Applied Sciences BFI Vienna (you can read about their impressions of participating in the academic mobility program here and here), and in the 2023/2024 academic year – Oleksandra Kurylo and Veronika Melnyk (you can read about their experience of studying under the Erasmus+ ICM program at this HEI here), and Kseniia Kolomiiets.
As a reminder, Poltava Polytechnic academic staff can participate in academic mobility programmes and internships. At the same time, students can study abroad under the Erasmus+ ICM program and other grant programmes for a semester or an entire 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 programmes abroad, please get in touch with the International Relations Department (room 213-C, interoffice@nupp.edu.ua).
