National University “Yuri Kondratyuk Poltava Polytechnic” continues to actively expand opportunities for international academic mobility, providing students with invaluable experience studying at leading European universities.
Thus, during the Fall semester of the 2025-2026 academic year, two students from the university – Vladyslava Herashchenko (Group 401 FM, speciality “International Economic Relations”) and Daria Yehorova (Group 301 ET, speciality “Tourism and Recreation”) – are undertaking the Erasmus+ credit academic mobility program at Laurea University of Applied Sciences (Finland).
The young women shared their first impressions of this educational mission, which became a true immersion into the astonishing Finnish culture and novel education system:
Daria Yehorova, student of Group 301 ET, speciality “Tourism and Recreation”: “Arriving in Finland at the end of August to start the Erasmus+ semester was a moment of great anticipation. As soon as I set foot in Helsinki, I felt a powerful breath of something special and captivating. Socialisation began within the first few hours: the initial orientation week was incredibly intensive, as the university coordinators had prepared an in-depth program dedicated to the nuances of studying, Finnish culture, and traditions.
In addition to information sessions, countless informal activities were organised: we participated in team games, exciting quests, joint picnics, city walks, and contests. These activities allowed us to bond instantly, quickly find common ground, and feel like not just an exchange group, but a genuine part of the large and friendly international Erasmus+ family.
Before coming to Finland, my knowledge of this northern country was minimal – it remained terra incognita for me in terms of nature, culture, and the mentality of its locals. However, Finland turned out to be a real discovery and a source of wonder: it has held the title of the world’s happiest country for the eighth consecutive year, and now I fully understand the reason for this phenomenon. Life here breathes calmness, is measured, and surprisingly harmonious. Finns deeply value the balance between work and personal life, which is why most workdays end around 4:00 PM.
The nature here is simply mesmerising: endless stretches of lakes, majestic cliffs, lush greenery, and crystal-clear air. Even in the largest cities, it is easy to find oases of wild, untouched nature. The locals are exceptionally active: they regularly run, play sports, are devoted sauna fans, and take care of their health. The university supports this trend by regularly organising sports initiatives for students, such as yoga sessions and marathons.
I live in the capital of Finland, Helsinki, where I study Business Management. The education system here fundamentally differs from the familiar Ukrainian model, relying on the innovative Project-Based Learning (PBL) approach, which means learning through real-world projects. We are organised into small international teams of 6–8 people, each collaborating with a real client, receiving specific tasks from them, and presenting a finished product or solution at the final stage.
Naturally, this practical focus is complemented by a theoretical basis: it is necessary to thoroughly study the material, successfully pass tests, and write analytical essays closely related to the project topic. Working in an international team brings me immense pleasure; it allows me to feel like a fully competent specialist, to develop skills in respecting diverse perspectives, to communicate effectively, to exchange ideas, and to make informed decisions jointly. My group brought together representatives from five countries, and each participant's contribution is unique and invaluable. This interactive format not only strengthens professional competence but also deepens the understanding of global cultures.
Student life in Finland is hectic! The university community organises various themed parties and social events practically every week. In addition, large-scale trips to iconic destinations – such as Lapland, Norway, Iceland, and other parts of Europe – are organised monthly. In just two months, I have already managed to discover a significant part of Finland, visiting the charming cities of Turku, Porvoo, and Tampere, and have also made international trips to Tallinn (the capital of Estonia), Oslo (Norway), and the majestic Norwegian fjords. Every such journey invariably opens new horizons, filling life with unforgettable impressions and incredible emotions.
During this time, I enriched my circle of contacts, meeting students from over twenty countries. This allowed me not only to learn a lot about the traditions and customs of different peoples but even to learn a few greetings in various languages. As an additional challenge, I began mastering Finnish – it turned out to be undeniably difficult, yet incredibly interesting and engaging!
I am immensely grateful to National University “Yuri Kondratyuk Poltava Polytechnic” for this unique opportunity! Participating in the Erasmus+ program allowed me not only to realise my academic ambitions on an international level but also to achieve proper personal growth, opening up the world of Finland and new horizons for professional development!”
Vladyslava Herashchenko, student of Group 401 FM, speciality “International Economic Relations”:
“When heading to one of the Nordic countries, you don't know what to expect from studying or living there, but halfway through my semester, I realised that this decision was one of the best in my life. Finland has topped the rankings of the world's happiest countries for years, and I was very interested in trying out their lifestyle and one of the world's strongest education systems. In two months here, I have gained countless new impressions and unforgettable emotions, met people from different countries, and become part of the incredibly inspiring Erasmus+ community.
Studying in Finland is unlike the usual lectures and classes in Ukraine – at least at Laurea University of Applied Sciences, where I study Business Management and learn through the Project-Based Learning method. This means we try our hand at real project activities for Finnish companies. It was somewhat scary at first because you have to perform real work and solve client problems while working in an international team.
We work together with Finnish students and other exchange students. My teams include students from Mexico, the Netherlands, Taiwan, Switzerland, and, of course, Finland. Everyone has their own role, so the team's progress depends on each individual. It is both teamwork and individual responsibility. Lecturers act more like mentors; they guide the team, give valuable advice, and we familiarise ourselves with the theory independently and immediately apply it in practice, which is incredibly effective. Besides this, we study Finnish language and culture. Finnish is one of the most challenging languages in the world; it has no common roots with either English or Ukrainian, but the classes are fun and engaging thanks to the support of lecturers and students.
An interesting aspect of the projects is the presence of two team members who act as well-being managers. They are responsible for organising engaging activities during each meeting to maintain team spirit. Together, we might go for walks, play bowling, enjoy a meal, or play games, and the lecturers also join these initiatives.
Life in Finland has been a fascinating experience, filled with daily discoveries. The country impresses with its landscapes, and the nature here is truly incredible. Helsinki, where we study, is located on the Baltic Sea coast and surrounded by numerous parks and forests. This closeness to nature encourages Finns to spend a lot of time outdoors, which is the key to their excellent physical and mental health. A unique feature is the countless small islands reachable by ferry in just 15 minutes, offering incredible panoramas of wild, untouched nature. Furthermore, developed ferry connections provide an excellent opportunity to travel to neighbouring countries, which we actively took advantage of, exploring new places.
Finnish weather, though unique – with frequent rain, short daylight hours in October, and rare sun – only emphasises its value. The Finns proved to us that any challenge can be tackled by following the philosophy: 'there is no bad weather, only unsuitable clothing.' This has become a valuable life lesson: don't worry about what you cannot change; instead, adapt your approach.
A key element of our experience was the robust international student community. Thanks to the coordinated work of the student associations Laureamko and the Erasmus Student Network (ESN), numerous social events are regularly organised, which significantly facilitate quick socialisation, enjoyable leisure time, and the establishment of connections with friends from all corners of the world. In this atmosphere, language barriers disappear: we easily find common ground, share knowledge of different cultures, and explore together the magnificent landscapes of Finland and its neighbours. While Scandinavia impresses with its pristine nature, its modern and well-thought-out urban planning is no less captivating.
The opportunity to spend a semester abroad is an incredible experience. It is interesting, educational, practical, and realistic. There are two more months ahead, and I look forward to what they will bring – even more challenges, acquaintances, and Scandinavian adventures. Thank you to Poltava Polytechnic for the opportunity to broaden my horizons, try new things, and grow personally and professionally!”
Participation in the Erasmus+ program in Finland has become more than just studying for the Poltava Polytechnic students; it has been a complete professional and personal skill upgrade.
In 2023, four Polytechnic students – Polina Kulyk, Dana Sholokh, Anastasiia Duchkova, and Diana Kuchka – studied under the Erasmus+ credit academic mobility program at Laurea University of Applied Sciences. You can read about their mobility experience here and here.
National University “Yuri Kondratyuk Poltava Polytechnic” continues to actively collaborate with European universities, offering students the opportunity to gain a high-quality education and invaluable international experience – a fundamental step toward developing globally competitive specialists.
As a reminder, faculty members of Poltava Polytechnic are eligible to participate in academic mobility and internship programs. Students can study abroad through Erasmus+ credit academic mobility grant programs for a semester or a full academic year at leading universities in Austria, Greenland, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, and the Czech Republic.
For more detailed information on current internship, teaching, and academic mobility programs abroad, please get in touch with the International Relations Office (office 213-C, interoffice@nupp.edu.ua) or the coordinator of international activities at the National University “Yuri Kondratyuk Poltava Polytechnic” – Anna Pavelieva, Ph.D. in Philology, Associate Professor of the Department of Germanic Philology and Translation (email: kunsite.zi@gmail.com, phone: +38-(095)-91-08-192).
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