As part of cooperation between the National University “Yuri Kondratyuk Poltava Polytechnic” and the Austrian University of Applied Sciences Burgenland (Hochschule Burgenland), future philologists and translators have a unique opportunity to join the innovative project “Intercultural Collaboration: Ukraine and Austria” in a COIL format.
What is COIL?
COIL is a modern international educational initiative that aims to unite students from different countries through joint online learning and project activities. It allows participants to gain experience in intercultural interaction without leaving their own university, working on everyday tasks with international colleagues. This approach stimulates the development of global thinking and practical skills necessary in the modern world.
The “Intercultural Collaboration: Ukraine and Austria” project presents wide-ranging prospects for future philologists and translators at Poltava Polytechnic, offering not only an in-depth expansion of academic knowledge but also the development of key soft skills. Students will have the opportunity to:
- participate in joint online classes: regular online meetings will be held from October to December 2025, during which students from both universities will work on joint tasks.
- Practice English: all communication within the project will take place in English. This will create ideal conditions for developing speaking competence in real-world settings, overcoming language barriers, and increasing confidence in using a foreign language.
- Gain new knowledge about communication features in different linguocultural societies: project participants will thoroughly study the nuances of intercultural communication, compare the cultural characteristics of Ukraine and Austria, and analyse differences in communicative strategies and behaviour.
- Perform interesting interactive tasks: learning will be dynamic and engaging through the use of interactive formats such as brainstorms, discussions, debates, quizzes, and games. This will contribute to a deeper understanding of the material and the development of creative thinking.
- Acquire experience in intercultural communication: the project aims to develop intercultural competence, which is critically important for better understanding other cultures and effective collaboration in a multicultural environment, both in professional and daily life.
- Improve key 21st-century soft skills: students will develop teamwork, critical thinking, creativity, and the ability to adapt to new conditions and challenges – all of which are indispensable in the modern labour market.
- Expand networking and make new acquaintances: the COIL project provides a unique opportunity to establish contacts with peers from Austria, expand the circle of acquaintances, and create international connections that may be useful in the future.
Project Moderators:
- Yuliia Nikolaenko, Candidate of Pedagogical Sciences, Associate Professor of the Department of Germanic Philology and Translation, National University “Yuri Kondratyuk Poltava Polytechnic”;
- Martin Jandl, English language lecturer at the University of Applied Sciences Burgenland (Hochschule Burgenland), Austria.
Both lecturers have extensive experience in intercultural communication and international educational projects, ensuring a high level of organisation and learning effectiveness.
The launch of the COIL project “Intercultural Collaboration: Ukraine and Austria” is a vivid confirmation of Poltava Polytechnic's commitment to the principles of internationalisation and the pursuit of excellence in education and science. Such initiatives allow for:
- integration into the global educational space: the Polytechnic actively draws on international experience and advanced methodologies.
- increased competitiveness of graduates: students acquire unique competencies that are highly valued in the globalised labour market.
- promotion of professional and personal growth: faculty and students constantly develop in conditions of international cooperation.
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We wish our students to make the most effective use of this unique opportunity for personal and professional development, gaining invaluable experience in intercultural interaction and forming a global vision of the world. This project will be a crucial step in preparing highly qualified specialists who are ready for the challenges and opportunities of a globalised world.
National University “Yuri Kondratyuk Poltava Polytechnic” thanks its partners from the University of Applied Sciences Burgenland for their fruitful cooperation and assistance in implementing this important project!
It is worth noting that Yuliia Nikolaenko recently participated in the Erasmus+ academic mobility program for the third time at the Austrian University of Applied Sciences Burgenland (Hochschule Burgenland); previously, she had participated in the Erasmus+ and CEEPUS academic mobility programs at the same institution.
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).
Media Centre of
National University “Yuri Kondratyuk Poltava Polytechnic”
