International academic mobility remains a key development focus in Ukrainian higher education, offering unprecedented opportunities for our students’ professional and personal growth. During the Autumn Semester of the 2025–2026 academic year, two talented students majoring in “Construction and Civil Engineering” – Maryna Klymovych (Group 203-B) and Alyona Shapar (Group 202-B) – gained unique experience studying in the prestigious Erasmus+ ICM Program at the Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava (Slovakia). Their journey was more than just an academic visit; it was a true immersion into the European educational space, providing them with profound knowledge and valuable life lessons.
Today, Maryna and Alyona share their impressions of this intensive period, discussing the challenges and triumphs, cultural discoveries, and new friendships that are shaping their outlook on the future and professional development: “The Erasmus+ program is a unique life school, and every participant experiences it in their own way. For us, this period acted as a powerful catalyst for personal growth, the first serious step toward true independence, increased responsibility, and unwavering perseverance. It was a cascade of opportunities that honed our communication skills when interacting with diverse cultures and mindsets, significantly deepened our language proficiency, and taught us to overcome unforeseen challenges confidently.
Our Slovak adventure began under the gentle rays of the autumn sun and concluded in Bratislava’s exquisite winter attire. Throughout the semester, we not only deepened our professional knowledge by viewing civil engineering from an entirely new perspective but also made true friends, won prizes in competitions, travelled extensively, and discovered new horizons every day.
The learning process at the Slovak University of Technology was impressive in its multifaceted nature: it included both fundamental theoretical courses and practical assignments that were not only academically valuable but also directly adapted to the realities of future engineering work. One of the most interesting aspects of our studies was excursions to industrial enterprises and factories. A particularly vivid moment was the trip to the largest road construction company in Bratislava. There, we witnessed the full cycle of asphalt production firsthand, familiarising ourselves with the arsenal of modern machinery and the industry’s advanced technologies. A detailed tour of the high-tech laboratory, equipped with the latest instruments, allowed us to consolidate the material learned, transforming abstract formulas into tangible, comprehensible professional experience.
Of course, no academic endeavour is complete without a final test – the exam session. We encountered a situation where the format and assessment criteria in Bratislava required a complete overhaul of our approach to work. However, thanks to diligent effort throughout the semester, we were ready for the battle. The main adversary was the language barrier, especially when dealing with specific engineering jargon. It was a true battle for comprehension! Fortunately, mutual support worked excellently: assistance from local lecturers and joint “brainstorming” sessions with other students helped us break through this resistance, allowing us to successfully and confidently complete all examination sessions.
The Erasmus+ program is not just about studying abroad; it’s a unique opportunity to discover Europe through travel. Every city we visited during the exchange left a special mark on our hearts. A busy autumn gifted us encounters with majestic Budapest, imperial Vienna, and elegant Brno, while the winter break was dedicated to charming Prague, sunny Barcelona, and cosy Trnava. In these places, time seemed to slow down: we didn’t want to rush, but rather absorb every moment – from an aromatic cup of coffee in an old café to leisurely walks through historic labyrinths. It is in this refined state of “getting lost” amidst the grandeur of architecture and centuries of history that the unparalleled magic of every European corner lies.
Our life abroad was not limited to books and excursions; we actively immersed ourselves in the vibrant extracurricular life organised by the ESN (Erasmus Student Network) team. The interactive “Super Supper” evenings were particularly memorable. Over three months, participants from all over Europe had the chance to present their cultures, showcasing traditions and, of course, treating others to national dishes. We are proud that our efforts received the highest recognition from the community! Based on the voting results, Ukraine emerged victorious, proving that our unique culture and superb cuisine can captivate and win over international audiences.
However, the true elixir of the Erasmus+ experience was the people. The friends we made through the mobility program are not just acquaintances; they are a shoulder to lean on and a family that appears in a new country, culture, and unfamiliar environment. We now have strong connections spanning the most diverse corners of Europe. Thanks to our passionate “advocacy” stories about our homeland, our new friends are already planning visits to Ukraine to see its beauty firsthand, while we have received sincere return invitations. Joint New Year celebrations, spontaneous group trips, mutual assistance in bureaucratic labyrinths, and thousands of minutes of simple, sincere laughter – we created memories that will warm us for a long time to come.
The most poignant trial was, of course, saying goodbye. People who had become truly dear to us over a few months were now dispersing across the world. As we packed our last belongings, it became clear: we were bringing home not just souvenirs or lecture notes, but an integral piece of the soul of every person with whom we shared this unforgettable journey. Crossing the border, we felt like different people: we became much more open, resolute, and, most importantly, incredibly inspired to apply what we had gained and work towards a better future for our own country.
Summing up, we can say with absolute certainty: we didn’t just participate in mobility – we squeezed every possible resource out of it. Academic success, active participation in ESN life, fascinating travels, and hundreds of deep, sincere conversations – this is the invisible yet most valuable baggage that requires no customs declaration. We return transformed: confident in our abilities and ready to implement changes. Because the Erasmus+ semester ends, but the experience that transforms a person, and through them, the entire country, stays with us forever” – say Alyona and Maryna.
You can read about the first impressions of Alyona Shapar and Maryna Klymovych from their studies in Slovakia here. Also, Olga Monakhova, a student from Group 203-B, majoring in “192-Construction and Civil Engineering”, studied for the entire 2023/2024 academic year under the Erasmus+ ICM Program at the Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava. You can read more about her study at this HEI here and here.
During the Autumn Semester of the 2024-2025 academic year, students Polina Havrylko and Tetyana Bondarenko (Group 201-BP), Antonina Bilash, Oleksandra Solod, Darya Suptelia (Group 402-BM) also studied at the Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava under the Erasmus+ ICM Program. You can read about their impressions of the mobility program here and here.
We also remind you that lecturers of Poltava Polytechnic can participate in academic mobility and traineeship 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, Spain, Lithuania, Latvia, Norway, the Netherlands, Germany, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Finland, and the Czech Republic.
For more detailed information on current opportunities for traineeships, teaching, and academic mobility abroad, please get in touch with the Department of International Relations (Room 213-C, interoffice@nupp.edu.ua).
