International credit mobility (ICM) programmes, particularly the European Union’s Erasmus+, have become a crucial tool for broadening the horizons of Ukrainian students and integrating our higher education into the European educational landscape. These programmes offer a unique chance to study temporarily at partner universities across Europe, combining the acquisition of high-quality knowledge with deep cultural immersion and personal development. For many, this is not just about education, but a true catalyst for professional growth and the formation of a European-style civic stance.
Kateryna Bondarenko, a student of Group 303-EM, majoring in 073 “Management”, gained such an experience by seizing the opportunity to spend the 1st (Autumn) semester of the 2025/2026 academic year under the Erasmus+ International Credit Academic Mobility Programme at the University of Applied Sciences BFI Vienna in Austria.
She shares her impressions of her study and life experience in Vienna: “Studying in Austria has been a unique and incredibly valuable experience for me, blending high-quality European education, a multicultural environment, and a vibrant student life. The first semester at the University of Applied Sciences BFI Vienna has concluded. During this time, I was able not only to deepen my academic knowledge but also to significantly broaden my outlook, acquire new skills, and gain numerous vivid impressions.
The highest level of professionalism characterises the learning process. Instruction in English provided an ideal environment for honing my language skills and confidently using modern business vocabulary. A bonus was active German language practice, which accelerated my adaptation and facilitated deeper integration into the country’s social fabric.
Throughout the semester, I studied disciplines such as Intercultural Management, International Project Management, European Economic Development & EU Integration, Employer Branding and Digital Recruiting, as well as subjects focused on developing teamwork skills and learning German. A distinctive feature of the education here is its practical orientation: in classes, we don’t just listen to lectures; we actively participate in discussions, analyse real business cases, work in groups, prepare presentations, and collaborate on collaborative projects. This format fosters critical thinking, communication skills, leadership qualities, and the ability to work in an international team.
Student life in Austria is not limited to academics. The university and the ESN regularly organise various events for Erasmus students, including cultural gatherings, excursions, team-building activities, international evenings, and informal meetups. This is a wonderful opportunity to get to know the city better, make new friends, and feel part of a large international community.
And Vienna... This city cannot be experienced without its rich cultural heritage. Its architecture, historical artefacts, world-class museums, and concerts create a unique magnetism that captures everyone’s attention.
I was also incredibly fortunate to experience the Vienna Christmas Markets, which create a truly magical atmosphere in the city. During Advent, the central squares fill with festive lights, the aromas of mulled wine, roasted chestnuts, and traditional Austrian pastries. The Christmas Markets near the Rathaus, Schönbrunn Palace, and Karlsplatz impress with their authenticity, variety of handmade souvenirs, and the warmth felt even in the winter weather. By visiting them, I gained a deeper appreciation for Austrian traditions, the rhythm of city life, and the true spirit of Christmas, which makes Vienna especially cosy and unforgettable at this time of year.
Summarising this eventful semester, I feel deep gratitude. The experience gained in Vienna has been a powerful impulse for my professional and personal growth. I am returning not only with European values, skills, and knowledge but also with the confidence that our Ukrainian education is fully competitive on the international stage. Huge thanks to my home institution, Poltava Polytechnic, which provided this unique opportunity, supported me at every stage of preparation, and served as a reliable foundation for my European internship. I am convinced that, thanks to such international cooperation, our university will nurture a new generation of specialists ready to meet the challenges of the global market!
You can read about Kateryna Bondarenko’s initial impressions of studying at the Vienna University of Applied Sciences 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 academic mobility program at this institution here), and Kseniia Kolomiiets.
We remind you that lecturers at Poltava Polytechnic can participate in academic mobility and training programmes. Students can study abroad under Erasmus+ credit academic mobility grant programmes 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 on current training, teaching, and academic mobility programmes abroad, please get in touch with the International Relations Office (Office 213-C, interoffice@nupp.edu.ua).
