During times of trial and martial law in Ukraine, international academic mobility acquires a special significance for domestic students. Programs such as Erasmus+ are not just an opportunity to travel but also an important tool for supporting youth. They allow Ukrainian students to integrate into the European educational space, acquire advanced knowledge, and represent their country on the international stage. At the same time, the experience gained and the established contacts will become a significant resource for Ukraine’s reconstruction and development in the future.
National University “Yuri Kondratyuk Poltava Polytechnic” continues to actively develop international partnerships, providing its students with opportunities to study abroad. In the spring semester of the 2025/2026 academic year, two students departed for Aurel Vlaicu University of Arad (Romania) under the Erasmus+ ICM program. This HEI is known for its modern approach to teaching, the practical orientation of its courses, and its welcoming attitude toward international students.
The participants of the program are Alina Mozul, a 5th-year student majoring in 073 Management (group 501-Emo), and Anna Stupar, a 4th-year student majoring in A4 Secondary Education (English Language and Foreign Literature). Despite the difference in their fields of study, the students were united by a desire to step beyond their usual academic environment, improve their language skills, and master new disciplines at a European university.
For both students, this trip to Romania was not their first experience with academic mobility; however, each discovered unique opportunities for personal and professional growth in Arad. The students openly share their impressions about the specific aspects of studying using new methodologies, adapting to a cosy Romanian city, and undergoing personal changes.
Anna Stupar, a 4th-year student majoring in A4 Secondary Education (English Language and Foreign Literature): “Participation in the Erasmus+ ICM program in Arad has been a special experience for me, one that is difficult to compare with my past travels. Having already completed a semester at the “1 Decembrie 1918” University of Alba Iulia, I subconsciously expected a similar rhythm of life, similar emotions, and atmosphere. However, Arad quickly disproved these expectations, showing that each new mobility experience is unique.
From the very first days, the educational process at Aurel Vlaicu University of Arad presented me with interesting professional challenges. As a future philologist, I unexpectedly found myself immersed in the basics of management here. At first, this experience seemed unusual, but it turned out to be extremely useful. The professors focused on practice: instead of classical theoretical lectures, they engaged us in discussions, offered real business cases for analysis, and encouraged teamwork. Thanks to this, we learned to argue our positions, make decisions, and confidently present our ideas in a multicultural environment.
Classes structured around the problem-based learning methodology were of particular interest. Every new topic began with a real challenge that we had to solve. This approach encouraged us to think on a larger scale, seek out-of-the-box solutions, and perceive mistakes as an important part of the learning experience. Furthermore, regularly working on presentations helped me overcome internal barriers and speak more confidently in English in front of an audience. This was also facilitated by the university atmosphere: the professors demonstrated a modern approach, supported our initiatives, and provided space for self-expression.
However, a special discovery during this trip was Arad itself. It is a relatively small, cosy, yet incredibly lively city. It lacks the bustle characteristic of metropolitan areas, and instead, an atmosphere of inner peace and harmony prevails. After only a month of staying here, I caught myself thinking that I felt completely natural – as if I had lived in Arad for many years. The picturesque streets, favourite coffee shops, and daily routine routes very quickly became an integral part of my everyday life.
The program also gifted me meetings with people who quickly became close to me. Together, we explored not only new spaces but also discovered new aspects of ourselves. We visited Timișoara, which was memorable for its elegant architecture and free spirit, climbed Mount Șiria, which offered picturesque panoramas, and went out of town to relax in the midst of nature. It was these simple and sincere moments that ultimately proved most important to us.
An unexpected discovery was how deeply Arad influenced my inner world, becoming a kind of turning point for reflection. The specific rhythm of this city encourages one to slow down, listen to oneself, notice important details, and think about life values. I realised that inner development does not always require loud events or large crowds – sometimes important changes happen precisely in such quiet and cosy places.
Erasmus+ in Arad turned out to be something much greater than just another semester abroad. This stage reshaped my vision of education, life, and my own capabilities. I became convinced that personal growth begins when you overcome doubts and dare to take on a new, unfamiliar experience. The knowledge and emotions gained taught me to value simple things, to be open to the world, and not to fear stepping outside my comfort zone, as it is precisely such bold decisions that can direct life into a completely new path. Separately, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my home university, Poltava Polytechnic, for its comprehensive support, assistance at every stage of preparation, and for the opportunity to open new horizons for development”.
Similar thoughts on the importance of stepping outside one’s comfort zone and the joy of returning to Romania are shared by the other program participant – Alina Mozul, a 5th-year student majoring in 073 Management (group 501-Emo). For her, as for Anna, studying in Arad was her second academic mobility experience, following a previous semester in Alba Iulia. However, while studying management disciplines turned out to be a new and unexpected challenge for Anna, a future philologist, for master’s student Alina, this semester became an opportunity to deepen knowledge in her direct professional field and look at management through the prism of new practical cases: “The Erasmus+ ICM program is much more than just studying abroad. It is a special opportunity to live what feels like an entire separate life in just one semester, each time discovering new aspirations within yourself and expanding your own horizons. The trip to the Romanian city of Arad has become my second academic mobility experience. The previous semester at the “1 Decembrie 1918” University of Alba Iulia left such a profound impression and inspired me that I decided to return to this country again – this time, however, in the new role of a master’s student and with clearer professional goals.
While studying in the master’s program in Management and Administration, I observed the teaching approaches at Aurel Vlaicu University of Arad with particular interest. The educational process here was highly impressive due to its practical focus and relevance, and my favourite subject was the course “Management of Change and Development of Organisations”. A key value of this course was the detailed analysis of case studies from leading global companies. We analysed real-world business situations in which effective management was the decisive factor in the successful transformation and development of enterprises. This helped me clearly understand how adaptability and strategic thinking directly influence the viability and success of a modern organisation.
My impressions of this program largely echo my previous mobility experience, as the philosophy of Erasmus+ is always about a space of freedom, new acquaintances, and intercultural exchange. At the same time, each such journey leaves its own unique mark. Arad turned out to be a city with a unique character: it wins you over with its cosiness and measured pace of life, especially now in spring, when the streets bloom and the city is filled with warm sunlight.
Academic mobility programs are not only about studying but also about the people who become a real family over a few months. In our free time, other students and I often travel around Romania, discovering picturesque landscapes. And we usually spend our evenings in Arad, having warm conversations by the barbecue or playing exciting board games.
This experience has once again confirmed my belief: every journey within Erasmus+ is unique. Arad gave me not just knowledge in the field of management, but also a feeling of home in an entirely new city, true friends, and memories that will stay with me forever. And, of course, all this would have been impossible without Poltava Polytechnic, which actively develops international partnerships, trusts its students, and creates excellent conditions for our professional development!”.
The example of Anna and Alina demonstrates that academic mobility is not only a process of acquiring knowledge but also of building resilience, adaptability, and readiness for the challenges of the modern world. The European experience gained, the mastered learning methodologies, and the established intercultural contacts will provide a beneficial foundation for the girls’ further professional development.
National University “Yuri Kondratyuk Poltava Polytechnic” continues its systematic work in the field of international partnerships, helping its students integrate step by step into the global scientific and educational space and preparing specialists capable of contributing to the reconstruction and development of Ukraine in the future.
The partnership between National University “Yuri Kondratyuk Poltava Polytechnic” and Aurel Vlaicu University of Arad has been actively developing over the past three years, spanning several key areas. The cooperation is implemented through regular semester exchanges for students (in particular, in 2024, the first group of four students completed their studies in Arad) and annual faculty visits. In 2023, 2024, and 2025, delegations of Poltava Polytechnic’s staff regularly participated in the “Erasmus International Week” at Aurel Vlaicu University of Arad, where they delivered guest lectures to international audiences, and presented the scientific and educational potential of Poltava Polytechnic to international audiences.
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 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 programs abroad, please contact the International Relations Department (Room 213-C, interoffice@nupp.edu.ua).
