International academic mobility remains one of the key opportunities that National University “Yuri Kondratyuk Poltava Polytechnic” systematically provides for its students. Studying at leading European higher education institutions enables them not only to acquire modern professional competencies, but also to integrate into the global academic and scientific landscape, overcome language barriers, and build a professional community.
A successful case of implementing the European Erasmus+ ICM program was the semester-long study period of two third-year students majoring in 035 “Philology” at the Faculty of Philology, Psychology, and Pedagogy – Anzhela Velychko (group 301-FF) and Yeva Molotkovets (group 302-FF). From January 26 to June 7, 2026, the students studied at one of Estonia’s leading higher education institutions, TTK University of Applied Sciences (TTK UAS).
During the spring semester, the future translation specialists mastered the subtleties of specialised technical English, worked on international startups, practised intercultural communication, and explored new horizons for their future profession. Upon returning home, our students shared their academic achievements, memorable experiences, and impressions of life in the Baltic states.
Anzhela Velychko, a student of group 301-FF majoring in 035 Philology, reflects on studying at a technical university, her newfound interest in logistics, and her adventurous travels: “I can confidently say that the spring semester under the Erasmus+ program at Tallinn University of Applied Sciences exceeded all my expectations.
The first half of the mobility period was filled with challenges and remarkable achievements: from overcoming internal fears of the unknown to developing a startup that ranked among the top 20 in the university competition. We immersed ourselves deeply in the specifics of technical, textile, and logistics translation, while also gaining invaluable intercultural communication experience – including my very first spoken Japanese practice with native speakers. Not to mention the unforgettable trip to Finland and the daring plunge into the freezing waters of the Arctic Ocean in Norway!
The second half of the semester was just as eventful. The academic standards remained consistently high, and each subject was captivating in its own way. A source of particular pride for me was receiving the certificate for the Estonian language course – a truly fond memory from our instructor. Her classes always flew by in a single breath, and our group became so close that we even surprised her for her birthday. We brought a gift and, in return, enjoyed a cosy tea party that turned into an interactive lesson: playing “buyer and seller”, we had the chance to demonstrate all our conversational Estonian skills. Another triumph was the exam in entrepreneurship – my favourite subject: I am proud that, through diligent preparation, I earned a near-perfect score.
However, my greatest professional discovery this semester was logistics. Previously, I had never seriously considered this field, but now I clearly see it as my niche. A philologist cannot cover every field with equal depth, so finding one’s focus is essential. Studying at a technical university gave me a unique opportunity to view translation from a practical perspective. I was fascinated by the logic of these processes and the professional terminology, as producing high-quality translation critically depends on understanding the very essence of what you are translating.
Naturally, the extracurricular life was equally unforgettable. Our Erasmus+ friends and I tried to cherish every moment together. The farewell gatherings were filled with bittersweet emotions; it is hard to put into words how strong our bonds became and how deeply we felt the sincere support of our European peers.
While we began the semester amid snowy Finnish landscapes, admiring the scenery from the Megastar ferry, we struck the final chord on the warm streets of Riga and in the lush green parks of Vilnius. I travelled with my new friend Yeva: we walked listening to music, admired majestic sights and charming corners of the cities, experiencing complete harmony and peace. Riga captivated me forever with its architecture – I took photos of every facade, and my long-standing hobby, sketching, gained a new breath of life. Overall, this Erasmus+ ICM program inspired new healthy habits: I developed a passion for running and regularly visited the university’s modern gym.
Vilnius welcomed us with tranquillity, ancient churches, and a wondrous organ concert that we were fortunate to attend. A true highlight of the trip was meeting our friend from Berlin, who had also come there on an exchange. She is a German student learning Ukrainian, and we are Ukrainian students studying German philology – a perfect match! We spent a wonderful day together and have already arranged our next meeting in Berlin.
This semester has opened up countless horizons for both my future career and personal growth. The world now feels much wider, and close friends await me in various corners of Europe. I sincerely thank Poltava Polytechnic for this opportunity and for an experience that has changed my life forever!
Alongside Anzhela, her fellow coursemate Yeva Molotkovets (group 302-FF) gained new academic experience in the Estonian capital. She focused on deepening her knowledge of technical translation and business communication, and on exploring the cultural heritage of neighbouring Baltic countries.
Reflecting on the practical aspects of the academic curriculum, team projects, and the unforgettable atmosphere of historic Riga and Vilnius, Yeva Molotkovets shares: “The semester of ICM under the Erasmus+ program at TTK University of Applied Sciences (TTK UAS) has come to an end, leaving behind an invaluable wealth of knowledge, experience, and vivid memories. For me, as a Philology student, this period was an excellent opportunity to step beyond the familiar academic space, test my strengths in an international environment, and gain a fresh perspective on my future profession.
Studies in Estonia were characterised by a practice-oriented focus, which allowed us to deepen our specialised language training significantly. Specifically, within the course “Field-specific English: Technical Fields”, we mastered the nuances of technical terminology in mechanics and robotics. The courses “Entrepreneurship” and “English for Written and Oral Communication” taught us to work cohesively in international teams: we generated collaborative projects, trained in conducting business pitches and presentations, drafted professional press releases, and analysed analytical materials. It was a true school of business and intercultural communication.
Yet Erasmus+ is not only about lectures and deadlines; above all, it is about people. During my stay in Tallinn, I found like-minded peers from across Europe: Germany, Hungary, France, and Italy. Studying together, having heartfelt conversations over coffee, and exchanging daily experiences helped us better understand different cultures and feel a profound sense of European unity.
A special highlight of the semester was travelling, as we spent our weekends exploring the capitals of neighbouring Baltic countries – Riga and Vilnius.
Riga won my heart with its exquisite architectural diversity and distinctive cosiness. The breathtaking panorama of the Old Town opening up from the observation platform of St. Peter’s Church will forever remain in my memory. The organ concert at the renowned Riga Cathedral (Dome Cathedral) was a true aesthetic revelation: the majestic acoustics and the live, powerful resonance of one of Europe’s most famous organs created an incomparable emotional experience.
Vilnius greeted us with the emerald green of its hills and a warm, soothing energy. The finest views of the Lithuanian capital unfolded from Gediminas’ Tower and the Hill of Three Crosses. A real discovery was the authentic bohemian quarter of Užupis, complete with its whimsical “constitution”, art galleries, and poetic embankment along the Vilnia River.
This semester in Estonia gave me far more than just academic credits: it instilled confidence in my professional capabilities, built lasting international connections, and provided boundless inspiration. I express my sincere gratitude to Poltava Polytechnic for their trust, support, and the opportunity to discover the world!
“The successful completion of this semester-long mobility by our Philology students once again demonstrates that Poltava Polytechnic’s international cooperation goes far beyond traditional academic exchanges – it is about nurturing a new generation of highly qualified, confident, and globally competitive professionals,” – emphasised Anna Pavelieva, PhD in Philology, Associate Professor, and International Relations Coordinator at Poltava Polytechnic. – “We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our esteemed Estonian partners at TTK University of Applied Sciences for their warm hospitality, openness, and high European educational standards.
A very special, warmest thank you goes to the Mobility Coordinator at TTK UAS, Heidi Kuusmann. Her relentless dedication, outstanding professionalism, genuine care for our students, and constant readiness to assist with any organisational or academic matters made this exchange semester exceptionally comfortable, inspiring, and truly unforgettable. Our three-year sustainable partnership, spanning both semester-long credit mobility and Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programmes (BIP), stands as a prime example of genuine European unity and deep academic solidarity.
I also express my deepest and most sincere appreciation to the university leadership – President of Poltava Polytechnic, Professor Volodymyr Onyshchenko, and Rector of the University, Associate Professor Olena Fylonych. It is precisely thanks to your forward-looking strategic vision, unwavering dedication, consistent course toward European integration, and continuous support of international initiatives – even in the face of today’s greatest challenges – that our university continues to provide a limitless environment of academic and personal growth. Your profound belief in our talented youth inspires students to expand their horizons, master cutting-edge competencies fearlessly, and proudly represent Poltava Polytechnic and Ukraine across the European scientific and educational landscape!”.
The partnership between Poltava Polytechnic and TTK University of Applied Sciences has developed successfully over the past three years. A particularly dynamic area of this cooperation is participation in Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programmes (BIP). During this time, representatives of our university – both teachers and students – have participated in such projects three times: in the spring and autumn of 2024 and in the autumn of 2025. Also, you can read about Anzhela and Yeva’s first impressions of studying at TTK UAS here.
As a reminder, faculty members of Poltava Polytechnic can participate in academic mobility and internship programs. At the same time, students can study abroad under credit academic mobility grant programs of Erasmus+ 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 on current internship, teaching, and academic mobility programs abroad, please contact the International Relations Department (Room 213-C, interoffice@nupp.edu.ua).
