The spring of 2025 became a period of intensive study, professional development and unforgettable cultural impressions for four students of National University “Yuri Kondratyuk Poltava Polytechnic”. Thanks to the Erasmus+ Academic Mobility Programme, the would-be translators – 3rd year students Yuliia Shtefan and Inna Vasylieva, 4th year students Kateryna Novak and Maryna Bilan, and master’s student Krystyna Borovyk – got a unique opportunity to do their Erasmus+ translation internship at Instituto Superior de Contabilidade e Administração do Porto (ISCAP), one of the leading universities in Portugal, located in the picturesque city of Porto.
The students shared their impressions of their Erasmus+ internship in Porto. Their stories are not just a report on the work done, but sincere testimonies of personal growth, acquisition of valuable skills and deep immersion in the international academic as well as cultural environment.
Kateryna Novak, 4th year student majoring in 035 Philology, said:
“This spring, I had a unique opportunity to do an internship at one of the leading universities in Portugal – Instituto Superior de Contabilidade e Administração do Porto (ISCAP) as part of the Erasmus+ academic mobility programme.
For me, the internship has become not only a part of the educational process, but also an incredibly valuable stage of personal and professional growth. From the first days of my stay at ISCAP, I was immersed in an active international environment that inspired and motivated me.
The main focus of my work was to support the activities of the university’s international office. Thanks to this, I gained a deep understanding of the international strategies implemented at ISCAP and learned how the university works to develop cooperation with partners from around the world. I actively interacted with international students and teachers, which helped to improve my communication skills, especially English, and developed my intercultural communication skills.
Every day I dealt with a number of tasks that required independence, responsibility and creativity. I assisted in organising international events, maintained databases, worked with graphic design for promotional materials, and contributed to drafting documents and presentations. I also improved my digital skills and learnt how to work with various programmes and platforms for internal and external communication. Teamwork was an important aspect of the programme: common tasks brought us together with other interns, and we learnt to interact, plan, and support each other in solving various problems.
I would also like to mention the brightest and most responsible project of our internship – the organisation of the International Week at ISCAP. It was a real challenge, but also an extremely exciting experience. Throughout the week, our team coordinated all the events, welcomed guests from different countries, including our professors from Poltava Polytechnic, helped them adapt, accompanied them to classes and cultural events, and took care of the organisational details to the smallest detail.
We are proud of the way this week went – it was a kind of summary of our work and a confirmation that we are capable of organising large-scale international events. It was during this week that I particularly felt how important it is to have a supportive team and how every small step can make a big contribution to the overall result.
The internship at ISCAP has changed me. I have become more confident in my abilities, learned to better organise my time, set priorities, and take responsibility for my work. At the same time, I discovered a new culture – Portugal fascinated me with its rhythm, openness, and friendly people. This environment was conducive to continuous self-development and self-discovery.
My experience at ISCAP proved to me that an internship can be much more than just a unit in an educational programme. It is a chance to become a part of a large international process, acquire valuable skills, meet incredible people and, most importantly, believe in yourself. As for me, I decided that I liked this kind of work and that it was interesting to work in the international department.
I sincerely advise all students not to be afraid of such opportunities. They are life-changing. And perhaps ISCAP will be the point of growth for you that you will remember for the rest of your life – just like I will.”
Maryna Bilan, a 4th year student majoring in 035 Philology, added:
“The Erasmus+ internship experience at ISCAP (Polytechnic of Porto) was not only a professional challenge, but also an unforgettable adventure that combined learning, international cooperation and the discovery of a new culture.
Porto, the second largest city in Portugal after the capital Lisbon, has become a place of extraordinary professional and personal experience. This vibrant, dynamic city with many tourists from all over the world fascinates from the first minutes of your stay. The waterfront with views of the North Atlantic Ocean is particularly impressive – a beauty that is difficult to describe in words.
Life in Porto has its own unique rhythm. The Portuguese are friendly, open-minded people who value moments and know how to enjoy every minute. The atmosphere here is relaxing: it seems that time has frozen, and people are not fussing like in large metropolises.
As for our internship, it has become a rich and valuable experience. We worked in an international team at the International Office, where our main responsibilities were:
- assisting the International Office of the University;
- conducting English classes for ISCAP students and staff;
- working with databases and participating in mobility projects;
- organising international events and workshops;
- administrative support for students on exchange programmes.
We also took an active part in the International Week event, which was an intensive week of communication with professors and teachers from universities across Europe. Together with our team, we carefully prepared for this event, dealt with organisational issues, helped with logistics and escorting guests. It was not only an important part of our internship, but also a great opportunity to learn about educational approaches from other countries, improve our own skills and expand our professional contacts.
In addition to intensive days filled with workshops, presentations and networking, we had the opportunity to attend thematic excursions, including a boat tour through the picturesque waters of Porto. Particularly memorable was the participation in the important seminar “Academic Insights on the Current Geopolitical Landscape: Perspectives from Ukraine and Georgia”, where a meaningful and emotional report was made by our lecturer Anna Pavelieva, the Coordinator of International Cooperation at our university. She shared the realities of life in Ukraine from the beginning of the full-scale war to the present day and told about the realities of the educational process in Ukraine and at Poltava Polytechnic during the war, which caused a lively response and interest among the international audience. It was a tense but extremely informative round table, which allowed us to hear the views of representatives of different countries on the current geopolitical processes.
In addition, we were able to immerse ourselves in the cultural life of Portugal – one of the highlights was a live musical performance by the Tuna band (as student bands are called in Portugal). It was extremely atmospheric and inspiring.
I am delighted that I had the opportunity to be in this place, among such sincere, active and inspired people. This experience was definitely a new step in my personal and professional development.”
Inna Vasylieva, a 3rd year student majoring in 035 Philology, shared her impressions:
“Now I am doing an Erasmus+ internship at ISCAP, a structural unit of the Polytechnic Institute of Porto (Portugal). This is an incredible experience that allows me not only to apply the knowledge gained at the university in practice, but also to develop in an international professional environment.
From the very first days, I felt the friendly atmosphere of the team and the support of the supervisors and the international office. During my internship, I am actively involved in organising and supporting international events. In addition, I work with databases, helping to update and organise information, and also participate in the creation of visual content – posters, presentations and design for social media. This experience helps me to develop my graphic design, analytical thinking and digital literacy skills. I also improve my English language skills through daily communication with teachers and students and develop skills in organising and managing international office tasks.
One of the largest events I was lucky enough to participate in was International Week. I actively helped to organise and run it, interacted with participants from different countries and gained valuable experience of working in a multinational team.
Porto itself is an amazing and inspiring place. Its narrow streets with colourful tiled houses, old trams, picturesque Douro River embankment and famous azulejos create a special atmosphere. In our free time, other students and I like to walk along the embankment, drink coffee in cosy cafes and admire the panorama of the city from bridges and parks.
We were particularly impressed by the Crystal Palace Gardens, a green space with incredible views of the river and the city. Porto has a vibrant cultural life: in spring, it hosts fairs, street festivals, concerts and exhibitions, where you can feel the true Portuguese soul. It is a city that inspires, gives warmth and is remembered for a long time.”
Krystyna Borovyk, a 5th year student majoring in 035 Philology, told us about her experience:
“This semester, I have a unique opportunity to do an Erasmus+ internship in Portugal, namely at ISCAP (Instituto Superior de Contabilidade e Administração do Porto), one of the educational institutions in Porto.
My internship involves working with students who want to improve their English language skills. One of my main activities is organising and running Speaking Clubs, i.e. meetings where participants have the opportunity to practice spoken English in a friendly atmosphere. Besides, I am developing a course for improving speaking and listening skills based on interactive tasks, authentic materials and relevant topics for discussion. I also take an active part in international events, conferences and cultural events organised by the university. This is a great chance for intercultural exchange, networking and professional development in a multilingual environment.
Another exciting part of my internship is simultaneous interpretation from Ukrainian to English during events whenever necessary. This gives me the opportunity to practice my translation skills in a real-life environment.
I would also like to mention the various events organised for students as part of the Erasmus+ programme. There is always something going on: hiking, picnics, themed dinners, city tours, as well as meetings with other students and cultural evenings where you can learn more about the traditions of Portugal and other countries. It’s not just a holiday, but a great opportunity to make new friends, practice your English and just enjoy the moments that will remain in your memory for a long time.
Studying and interning in Porto has become a real inspiration for me. The city is calm, but at the same time fascinating: new places, people, a different language and culture. It is a special pleasure to be so close to the ocean. ISCAP welcomed me very warmly, I felt part of the international community from the first day. Working with students has inspired me to improve my teaching and translation skills even more. Every day I have the opportunity to learn something new not only about languages, but also about people, culture, and myself. It is a real challenge, but also a great chance to grow both professionally and personally.”
Yuliia Shtefan, a 3rd year student majoring in 035 Philology, said:
“For more than two months now, I have been doing my Erasmus+ internship at ISCAP University, which is located in the beautiful and hospitable city of Porto. As part of my internship, I proposed the idea of creating Speaking Clubs – conversation clubs for students and teachers who want to improve their English, overcome language barriers and gain confidence in communication. The idea was fully supported by my professor, and now I have the opportunity to implement it.
So, I am currently working on developing a Moodle course called “Speaking and Listening” and conducting Speaking Clubs on various topics both online and at the university, in a modern interactive classroom. I am implementing this project together with my colleague Krystyna Borovyk, a 5th year student of my speciality. I am extremely pleased to see how our initiatives help students develop their speaking and listening skills in a comfortable, friendly environment.
At the end of the semester, the course participants will receive grades and certificates to recognise their participation and achievements. This not only helps to motivate them, but also gives the course an official academic status.
Besides, every Monday we attend Portuguese classes (from 10:00 to 13:00). As a philologist, I am particularly interested in learning a new language, getting to know its structure and sound. The courses are free of charge, and we have a great opportunity to learn a basic level of Portuguese, which also helps us to integrate better into the local environment.
Every Tuesday, I take part in simultaneous interpreting classes (from 18:30 to 21:00), where we not only learn about the theoretical aspects of the interpreting profession, but also perform practical tasks in a specialised room with professional equipment – computers, headphones and relevant software. This is a great opportunity to immerse yourself in a professional environment and develop practical skills in real time.
At the beginning of April, during the ISCAP International Week, I had a unique opportunity to try myself as a simultaneous interpreter – I interpreted a speech by a Ukrainian professor from Ukrainian into English in a real conference booth. It was my first experience of this level, and it was extremely valuable and exciting!
In my free time, I enjoy walking around the old town, which, fortunately, is located very close to my accommodation. But the ocean amazes and inspires me the most. On sunny days, the girls and I always go to the coast to enjoy the waves, the sea breeze, the sun’s warmth and the sense of calm that this incredible nature gives us.”
“We are proud that our students have the opportunity to gain such valuable international experience. The internship at ISCAP has become not only an opportunity for them to apply their knowledge in practice, but also a platform for developing intercultural competence, improving language skills and establishing international relations. Participation in international mobility programmes, in particular, Erasmus+, plays a key role in the formation of future specialists who are able to work successfully in the global environment,” – says Coordinator of International Cooperation of Poltava Polytechnic Anna Pavelieva.
Recently, the delegation of our university took part in the academic mobility under the Erasmus+ programme within the ISCAP International Week, students of Poltava Polytechnic shared their impressions of studying under Erasmus+ programmes at the universities of Austria (Vienna and Eisenstadt), Estonia, Denmark, Spain, Slovakia, and Poland; a university scientist joined an international project, an architect-to-be took part in the second part of the Erasmus+ youth exchange in Poland, and a future translator took part in an Erasmus+ training on conflict transformation.
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 213-C, 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 (email: kunsite.zi@gmail.com, phone: +3-8-(095)-91-08-192).
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National University “Yuri Kondratyuk Poltava Polytechnic”
