Studying abroad is always a unique opportunity for students not only to gain new knowledge, but also to expand their horizons. In the autumn semester of the 2024/2025 academic year, two 4th year students majoring in 191 Architecture and Town Planning of Poltava Polytechnic went to study at Estonian University of Life Sciences as part of the Erasmus+ credit academic mobility programme.
Prospective architects Dmytro Kriuchko and Anna Kvasnevska shared their vivid impressions of studying in Tartu: from integration events and exciting trips to innovative approaches to landscape architecture. Their stories are an example of how academic mobility programmes open up new prospects for professional and personal development for Ukrainian students.
Dmytro Kriuchko, a student of group 402-A, speciality 191 Architecture and Town Planning, says:
“Six months ago, I had an extraordinary opportunity to participate in the Erasmus+ credit academic mobility programme in Estonia. This experience was unique and extremely important for me, so, no matter how sad it was, it was time to sum up my studies, say goodbye to everyone I met during this time, and come back. These have been intense months, full of emotions that I will never forget.
It’s hard to describe everything that has happened over the past 5 months, and even harder to express the emotions and impressions I have experienced. But I can definitely say that it was worth it.
Before the trip, I didn’t have what I thought was a deep enough knowledge of landscape architecture, so when I was preparing to study in Estonia, I was afraid that I would lack skills and fall behind other students. It seemed to me that it would be difficult for me to adapt to the requirements and pace of study. But, as it turned out later, thanks to the individual approach of academic advisors to student learning, these fears were mostly an illusion.
“The Student Capital 2024”, Tartu, gave me the opportunity to participate in almost daily events organised for students. And most importantly, it became a focal point for students from different countries. Together with other students, we organised trips to different parts of Estonia and visited museums.
No less important for me were the trips I have been on recently. Thanks to them, I was able to see and study in detail many examples of architecture that have become valuable for my professional development as an architect.
The time did not pass as quickly as I expected, but it left me with good memories. I sincerely wish everyone to have such an experience, and I am grateful for the chance given by Poltava Polytechnic to go on such a trip!”
Anna Kvasnevska, student of group 402-A, speciality 191 Architecture and Town Planning:
“It seems that the autumn semester at EMÜ has just started, and I have to say goodbye to my teachers, new friends and the already familiar city of Tartu.
I remember when I first arrived in Estonia, a little confused, but ready for a new adventure in my life. During the first week, Erasmus students were helped to integrate into the university environment, get to know the city and each other better.
The Erasmus Student Network organised a tour of the historic streets of Tartu and a trip on a traditional boat. Throughout the semester, many interesting events were held for the youth, such as cultural evenings, art workshops, international dinners, karaoke, dance classes, board games and much more. Active participation in these events helped me to improve my English communication skills and meet incredible people who have become my true friends.
The process of studying at EMÜ deserves special attention because it left a special place in my heart. As landscape architects, we had a department in the Technology Building, equipped with all the amenities – computer labs, a library, printers for printing large formats, a laser cutting machine, a warehouse of materials for modeling, and a lunch area with sofas. Professors always created a friendly and cosy atmosphere during lectures and practical classes, helping with any questions. To help students better understand real-life landscape situations, urban planning, and develop their “eye for detail”, we had many wonderful trips around Estonia.
But what I liked the most was working in a team, as we always used various interactive learning methods. For example, before the start of the Technogenic Landscape Design course, we had a series of excursions to quarries to help us better understand the terrain and local plants. After that, the teacher collected sand at one of the locations, which we used for modelling in the future. Each team was given individual keywords for the task and came up with unique ideas for design solutions. This experience changed the way we think about group work and practical training, making us realise that it can be fun, educational and creative.
Erasmus+ study opens up many opportunities to visit interesting places and countries. Firstly, you meet new people and friends with whom you can go on unforgettable trips in your free time or on weekends. And secondly, student organisations often organise trips that you might never have planned on your own. This semester, Lapland became such an event for the youth. We spent a whole week in the Arctic Circle, exploring snowy forests, a real Santa’s town, reindeer and the culture of the Sami people. The highlights of my life were seeing a real aurora and the Arctic Ocean, which will always remain in my memory.
It’s sad to realise that the semester is over and my friends have gone back to their home countries, but it was an incredible joy to meet them. I believe that there will definitely be a time when they will be able to visit us in Ukraine! Be sure to join academic mobility programmes, despite all the fears and worries – it’s worth it!”
“Erasmus+ academic mobility programmes offer our students unique opportunities for professional and personal development. The experience of studying in Estonia gave our architecture students not only new knowledge, but also inspired them to creative achievements, gave them international friends and unforgettable impressions. This is a great example of how international mobility changes lives and helps to form future leaders in their field,” – says Coordinator of International Cooperation of Poltava Polytechnic, Candidate of Philology, Associate Professor of the Department of Germanic Philology and Translation Anna Pavelieva.
You can read about Dmytro and Anna’s first impressions of studying at Estonian University of Life Sciences here.
It should be recalled that in the spring semester of the academic year 2023/2024 (from February 5, 2024 to June 22, 2024), Master’s student of 191 Architecture and Town Planning (Architecture of Buildings and Structures) of Educational and Research Institute of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Land Management of National University “Yuri Kondratyuk Poltava Polytechnic” Polina Ostapenko studied at Estonian University of Life Sciences under the Erasmus+ credit academic mobility programme. You can read about her experience of participating in the mobility programme here and here.
Also in the spring of 2024, Candidate of Technical Sciences, Associate Professor of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering Alina Zyhun became a participant in the Erasmus+ (Mobility of individuals) KA171 academic mobility programme at the Estonian University of Life Sciences.
It should be noted that Poltava Polytechnic teachers can participate in academic mobility programmes and internships, and students of Poltava Polytechnic have the opportunity to study abroad under the grant programmes of credit academic mobility for a semester or a whole academic year at the leading universities of Austria, Greenland, Denmark, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Norway, the Netherlands, Germany, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Finland, and the Czech Republic.
For more information on current internship, teaching and academic mobility programmes abroad, please contact the International Relations Department (room 320-F, interoffice@nupp.edu.ua) or the Coordinator of International Cooperation of National University “Yuri Kondratyuk Poltava Polytechnic” – Candidate of Philological Sciences, Associate Professor of the Department of Germanic Philology and Translation Anna Kostiantynivna Pavelieva (room 310-C, email: kunsite.zi@gmail.com, phone: +3-8-(095)-91-08-192).
Recently, Polytechnic students shared their impressions of studying under the Erasmus+ credit academic mobility programme at a leading Romanian university.
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National University “Yuri Kondratyuk Poltava Polytechnic”
