In February, 2023, Poltava Polytechnic signed a Memorandum of Cooperation and an Interinstitutional Agreement with one of the leading Romanian universities, University “1 DECEMBRIE 1918” University of Alba Iulia (Alba Iulia, Transylvania, Romania).
The signed agreements were brought into action: during the spring semester of academic year 2022/2023, from 27 February to 16 June, 15 students of Poltava Polytechnic deepened their knowledge in the specialised disciplines, mastered new practical skills and professional competences at the leading European university.
At the end of June, the students returned to their alma mater with new knowledge, positive impressions and a desire to participate in academic mobility programmes again.
From 1 July to 1 September 2023 (2 months), 5 bachelor’s and master’s students majoring in 035 Philology underwent field placement within the Erasmus+ programme at the International Department of the University “1 DECEMBRIE 1918” University of Alba Iulia, where they helped with translations and intercultural communication.
In the winter semester of the 2023/2024 academic year at the University “1 DECEMBRIE 1918” University of Alba Iulia under the Erasmus+ credit academic mobility programme 32 students from 10 different specialities of Poltava Polytechnic studied: 7 students of the Educational and Research Institute of Finance, Economics, Management and Law; 4 students of the 2nd and 3rd year of the speciality “Computer Science” and 21 students of the Faculty of Philology, Psychology and Pedagogy.
In the spring semester of the 2023/2024 academic year, 16 Polytechnic students studied under the Erasmus+ credit academic mobility programme at the “1 DECEMBRIE 1918” 16 Polytechnic. They studied different disciplines, travelled and learned the culture of Romania. In the autumn semester of the academic year 2024/2025, 12 students of 8 specialities from three structural subdivisions of Poltava Polytechnic studied under the Erasmus+ credit academic mobility programme at the University “1 DECEMBER 1918” University of Alba Iulia. Polytechnic students shared their impressions of studying under the mobility programme in Romania.
Alina Mozul, 4th year student majoring in 076 Enterprise, Trade and Exchange Activity:
“This Erasmus+ credit academic mobility programme was my first experience, and I really have a lot of emotions. From the first day, the University of Romania made a great impression: comfortable classrooms, an interesting study programme, and most importantly, friendly and understanding teachers.
I would especially like to mention the community of international students we met. Communication with young people from different parts of the world, the practice of constant communication in a foreign language, common life and vibrant student life will remain in my memory for a long time.
During the exchange programme, we have already visited several picturesque cities, such as Brasov, Sibiu and Cluj-Napoca. We celebrated Halloween in the best Transylvanian traditions, visited the castles of Cantacuzino (where the popular TV series “Wednesday” was filmed), Bran (the legendary castle of Count Dracula) and the incredibly beautiful Peles. There were also theme parties, which are an integral part of student life.
Another memorable event was the climb to the Piatra Craivii mountain, which offers a breath-taking view.
Studying and living here is extremely diverse, and the experience is invaluable and unique. To everyone who is planning to go on mobility to Romania, I would like to say: do not hesitate, because these emotions are worth experiencing!”
Daiana Kuchka, 4th year student majoring in 073 Management:
“I am 20 years old, and this is my second experience of studying under the Erasmus+ programme. Last year I went to Finland, and this time I chose Romania. Am I happy with my choice? Definitely, yes!
I attended the university four days a week, and Fridays are free from classes. The educational process is similar to ours, but with interesting features. Classes are dynamic: teachers prefer a practical approach, often analysing real-life examples. I study business administration, and here we are taught how to manage a business through a simulation game. We make decisions on our own that affect the future of the company, which is very exciting.
In addition to my studies, I have already managed to visit several cities in Romania. The first was Brasov, where we went to an event organised by the ESN union. For four days, all Erasmus+ students from all over Romania gathered in one city. We visited three castles, including Dracula’s castle, took part in a flag parade where everyone represented their country, and enjoyed themed parties. Then we visited Cluj-Napoca, a city of young people, students and parties. The trip together with friends from Turkey, Spain and Algeria left an unforgettable impression, although one day was not enough and we did not want to go back.
The city of Alba Iulia, where we live now, is very cosy: everything is close by, the infrastructure is developed and the people are extremely friendly.
Life in the dormitory is a whole other story. There is constant communication, improving English and meeting people from all over the world. It’s also a great opportunity to try traditional dishes from different countries, since you will definitely be offered to try something new in the kitchen.
I really like Romania. Erasmus+ is a unique opportunity to compare cultures, improve your language and, most importantly, learn new things and gain experience from professionals in your field. I am very glad that I got this chance for the second time!
Romania is a beautiful country with great opportunities, but I often think about Ukraine, my home and family. At the same time, I try to enjoy every moment here and seize every opportunity!”
Samira Mustafaieva, 2nd year student majoring in 014 Secondary Education (English and a second foreign language):
“Romania does impress with its natural scenery, in particular the majestic Carpathian Mountains, which cover a large part of the country. The mountains create picturesque landscapes complemented by green forests, rushing rivers, waterfalls and mountain lakes. When I entered the university, I knew that I would really like to try my hand at an academic mobility programme, but I never thought that I would end up in Romania.
I studied under the Erasmus+ credit academic mobility programme at the “1 DECEMBRIE 1918” University of Alba Iulia, and I have no regrets about coming here. At first, of course, I needed time to adapt to adult independent living, but the conditions in the dormitory are just great. In addition, even before arrival, each student is assigned a volunteer who is always ready to help and support them in any way. Over time, you start to get to know people from all over the world, finding both many similarities and interesting differences.
As for the educational process, one of my favourite subjects is “Written and Oral Communication Techniques in English”. It is not only interesting presentations, but also an unusual method of working in pairs: we take turns reading slides, discussing the material, doing assignments – all this allows us to create a special atmosphere in the classroom. And in the “British and American Culture and Civilisation” course, we watch films and discuss them with Romanian students, which allows us to dive deeper into the culture of these countries.
Romania is especially beautiful in autumn and winter. The landscapes take on new colours and the cities are filled with the magic of these seasons. We visited neighbouring towns such as Sibiu, where a beautifully decorated Christmas tree stood in the central square, creating a real winter wonderland. In Brasov, we spent Halloween in Transylvania with all the Erasmus+ students and visited famous castles, including Castelul Cantacuzino, Bran Castle and Peleș Castle. It was an unforgettable experience that I will definitely remember for the rest of my life. I am sincerely grateful to National University “Yuri Kondratyuk Poltava Polytechnic” for the opportunity to be a part of this mobility programme and to get such an incredible experience!”
Karyna Shupyk, 4th year student majoring in 122 Computer Science:
“Erasmus+ opens up exciting opportunities for students: to see the world, study new disciplines, and gain experience in an international environment. As a student of Poltava Polytechnic, I decided to take part in this programme to get a new perspective on my speciality and to get acquainted with the culture of another country.
In September of this year, I went to study in Alba Iulia under the Erasmus+ academic mobility programme. Our journey was filled with adventures from the very beginning. On the way to Alba, we visited many cities and fell in love with the nature and landscapes of this country.
Studying at the university is intense and interesting. I study in the speciality “Computer Science”, so I had the opportunity to study such subjects as: Computer Graphics, Artificial intelligence, Development of mobile applications and others. Usually, we study the theory on our own, and in the classroom we do practice and perform various tasks. The new language environment has become an interesting challenge, and studying specialised subjects in English is a useful experience for the future.
ESN (Erasmus Student Network) volunteers helped us to adapt to the city and the university. Almost every week, they arranged interesting events for us, which was a great opportunity to meet people from different countries and have fun.
For example, we spent Halloween 2024 in the historical region of Romania, Transylvania. It was an unforgettable four days of networking and exploring Romania with Erasmus students from all over the country. We visited three castles of unreal beauty, participated in the flag parade, took part in the Erasmus+ Generation Summit 2024 in Râșnov and felt the fantastic energy of Brasov during a city quest.
The dormitory has all the conditions for a comfortable life, and the balcony offers an incredible view of the mountains!
Romania has opened up a new side for us, it is a picturesque country with friendly and hospitable people, and we are excited to be here and now. I am grateful to Poltava Polytechnic for this incredible opportunity!”
Mykyta Lapin, 4th year student majoring in 035 Philology:
“Bună ziua. I still can’t believe that I have become a participant of the Erasmus+ credit academic mobility programme! It always seemed that it was something unattainable and impossible, but in fact it is quite possible and a huge number of students from Europe and beyond study in this way. Ukraine, Moldova, Turkey, Poland, the Czech Republic, Spain, France, Egypt, even distant Indonesia, and this is not a complete list of countries whose students study here with us in Romania under the Erasmus+ programme. An incredible number of new and pleasant acquaintances, new wonderful impressions from communicating with so many different people.
Student life here is in full swing and it is impossible not to get involved. There is no chance to drop everything and follow the dormitory-university-dormitory route. There is always something to do – from simple volleyball, basketball, bowling or billiards, to trips to other cities across Romania, hiking, parties and trips to museums, and many more interesting things. These activities take place every week. Often, they don’t even need to be organised, because whenever you go out, whether for a walk, to the shops or anywhere else, there is no chance of not meeting a friend or acquaintance. And now you’re going somewhere together, doing something, and you’re definitely not bored.
As for the training, it was very convenient, I got everything I needed, every teacher was always ready to help. Sometimes I even went not to my classes, but to those that I was just interested in, and no teacher minded my presence, on the contrary, they were very happy to see my interest.
The impressions from the entire Erasmus+ programme will last a lifetime, it will never be forgotten. If someone went to Artek, it’s something like this, except not for three weeks, but for 4.5 months. This experience opens up many opportunities in the future profession and in life in general!”
Viktoriia Khrypko, 4th year student majoring in 071 Accounting and Taxation:
“During the winter semester of the 2024/2025 academic year, I had the opportunity to study at one of the leading European universities “1 DECEMBRIE 1918” University of Alba Iulia, located in Alba Iulia (Romania).
The training began in October with a meeting with the curator. Teachers and the university administration are always ready to help with organisational issues, and students can get good advice on any issue related to living in a new country. Thanks to this, we felt comfortable and it was quite easy to integrate. This semester I have six subjects. The schedule of each student is slightly different, with classes usually shared with groups of Romanian students and taught in English.
The learning process is accompanied by a lot of activities organised by ESN (Erasmus Student Network). For example, during the first week, together with other international students, we took a historical tour, visited an amusement park, bowling alley, and often watched films together. A trip to Brasov, also organised by ESN, was a special experience. For 4 days we explored the new city, Romanian culture, visited three castles, and celebrated Halloween.”
Yelyzaveta Dubynka, 3rd year student majoring in 035 Philology:
“The Erasmus+ academic mobility programme provides many opportunities to learn and explore other cultures. This semester, I again had the opportunity to go to study at a university in Alba Iulia, Romania.
It is a small town full of wonderful people, beautiful architecture, picturesque landscapes and, most importantly, memories from the last semester. I was very happy to come back here again and meet the familiar faces of Romanian students and teachers.
The volunteers were as friendly as ever and ready to help at any time. Many interesting events were organised for us, where we had the opportunity to get to know each other. I made new friends from Turkey, Spain, Italy and other countries. We visited Brasov together to celebrate Halloween. We went bowling and billiards, to the countryside for outdoor activities and much more.
Among the new things at the university, I noticed study areas with comfortable tables where you can study for your classes. Classes, as before, are very interesting and informative. Teachers prepare clear material that is easy to learn.”
Kateryna Novak, 4th year student majoring in 035 Philology:
“The Erasmus+ programme gives students a unique opportunity to study abroad, get to know new cultures, improve their language and gain unforgettable experience. One of these places is Romania, and the city of Alba Iulia itself is small but rich in history and cultural treasures.
Alba Iulia, located in the heart of Transylvania, is a city that fascinates with its architecture and atmosphere. The main attraction is the Alba Carolina citadel, which is one of the best preserved fortresses in Europe. Narrow streets, cosy cafes and majestic views create a comfortable environment for both studying and relaxing.
For students coming here on the Erasmus+ programme, Alba Iulia offers a great combination of a modern learning environment and a rich historical heritage. The city’s universities cooperate with international students, providing them with everything they need for a comfortable stay.
One of the most attractive aspects of the Erasmus+ programme in Romania is the quality of the education system and student support. Lectures are usually held in English, and teachers are open to communication and discussion. Classes are designed in such a way that students can not only gain new knowledge, but also develop critical thinking and teamwork skills.
A feature of Romanian education is its emphasis on interdisciplinarity and practicality. Students have the opportunity to participate in various projects, conferences, and workshops. In addition, universities actively support cultural exchanges by organising events that allow students to better understand Romanian traditions.
Alba Iulia is a city that combines the quiet life of a province with the atmosphere of an intellectual centre. It is an ideal place for students: cheap accommodation, tasty and affordable food, and well-developed infrastructure. The locals are very friendly and always ready to help, which is especially valuable for those travelling abroad for the first time.
Transport in the city is convenient, although Alba Iulia itself is quite compact, so most routes can be covered on foot. In addition, it is easy to reach other tourist destinations in Transylvania, such as Sibiu, Brasov or the famous Lake Bikaz.
The Erasmus+ programme is not only about studying, but also about getting to know the culture, traditions and customs of the country. Alba Iulia is known for its role in the unification of Romania, so it often hosts festivals dedicated to national holidays. Learning the Romanian language and communicating with locals gives you a deeper understanding of this multifaceted country.
Communicating with other Erasmus students is another advantage. The international community that gathers in Romania helps to exchange ideas, learn about other cultures and create friendships with people from all over the world.
For me personally, this city has become a place of opportunity. Here you can really express yourself in many ways and find your vocation. Here you can always find like-minded people and develop as a person and, of course, make new acquaintances. Finding real friends will not be a problem. I am very grateful to the University “1 Decembrie 1918” din Alba Iulia and National University “Yuri Kondratyuk Poltava Polytechnic” for this opportunity!
The experience of participating in Erasmus+ in Alba Iulia is a unique opportunity to develop your academic and personal skills. This city gives students not only a quality education, but also a warm atmosphere, cultural enrichment and many vivid memories. If you are looking for a place for your international studies, Romania, and especially Alba Iulia, will be a great choice.”
Alina Alieksieieva, 4th year student majoring in 035 Philology:
“In the autumn semester of my fourth year, I decided to take advantage of the great opportunity offered by our university and spend this time studying under the Erasmus+ credit academic mobility programme at one of the universities in Romania – a university in a small but extremely beautiful town of Alba Iulia, located in the heart of Transylvania. The city struck a chord with me last year when I was here on the same programme. Thanks to its picturesque view, mountain air and unique atmosphere, it has become an ideal place for mental peace, study and self-development.
My trip to Romania started with some nice souvenirs. The university greeted us with themed gifts with Erasmus+ logos and emblems of the institution, which added to the feeling of support from the university. Immediately upon arrival, we were accommodated in a comfortable, modern dormitory that was fully equipped for student life. Each room is well-equipped, as are the kitchens and other common spaces.
Studying at the university does not seem difficult to me. Thanks to highly qualified teachers who speak English at a high level and their individual approach, the disciplines come easy to me. I really liked how interactive the lectures are, how much attention is paid to discussions and international students. The learning atmosphere in Romania was not only inspiring, but also motivated me to study the subjects I chose in depth.
In addition to studying, I also had the opportunity to join many interesting extracurricular activities organised by the Erasmus Student Network. They organised a variety of cultural and social activities that allowed me not only to learn more about Romanian culture, but also to meet new students from all over Europe.
Such events became not only an important part of my stay in Romania, but also helped me to discover new horizons, improve my social skills, meet new friends from other countries and, of course, to learn more about other cultures as well as share my own.
Thanks to Poltava Polytechnic and the Erasmus+ programme, I not only acquired new knowledge and skills, but also gained invaluable experience that became an important part of my student life. I am grateful to Poltava Polytechnic and University “1 December 1918” for the opportunity to live this exciting experience. All these emotions, bright moments, new people in my life and unforgettable memories have become a real treasure for me.
Having had such a great experience, I look forward to continuing my mobility in Romania and even staying here in the spring semester. This is a chance not only for professional development, but also for further exploration of the world, improvement of myself as a person and expansion of the horizon of possibilities.”
Iryna Vodolaha, 3rd year student majoring in 242 Tourism:
“I had the opportunity to deepen my knowledge in the field of tourism management and marketing. The classes at the university were interesting and informative. I especially liked the practical classes, during which we explored the historical and cultural sights of the city and developed our own tourist routes.
One of the most valuable experiences was communicating with foreigners from different countries (Turkey, Algeria, the Czech Republic, Spain). We spent a lot of time together, attended cultural events, cooked traditional dishes and shared our experiences and views on life. It was a great chance not only to improve our language skills, but also to broaden our horizons and understand what we have in common despite our different cultures.
The Erasmus+ programme gave me unforgettable memories and new friends. I am grateful for this opportunity to travel, learn and develop. I recommend all students to take advantage of this programme and discover new horizons.”
Anastasiia Loza, 4th year student majoring in 071 Accounting and Taxation:
“My participation in the Erasmus credit academic mobility programme in Alba Iulia, Romania, has become a significant part of my student life. This is my fourth semester of studying under the academic mobility programme and I have realised that studying abroad is much more than just getting credits. It is about personal development and building international connections. The most valuable aspect of my trip was the friendships I built in previous semesters, which gave me a sense of belonging in a foreign country. One of the most important lessons I have learnt is the significance of open-mindedness. Being an international student means stepping outside your comfort zone, meeting new people and embracing unusual experiences. Learning to communicate, adapt and connect with people from different backgrounds has been an invaluable part of my Erasmus+ experience.”
Daria Kryvosheia, 3rd year student majoring in Finance, Banking and Insurance:
“Romania is a beautiful country, surrounded by stereotypes. Lovely cities, friendly people, magnificent nature. Our city of Alba Iulia, although small, has a great cultural attraction – the ancient fortress Alba Carolina in the form of a star, which is exactly where our university is located. There are museums, a Catholic cathedral, carved arches and ruins from the Roman Empire.
Studying at the university is also going well. A lot of teachers here speak English fluently, so there are no problems with communication. The atmosphere at the university is very easy, everyone is friendly, so if you have any problem, don’t be afraid, everything is very easy to solve!
In some classes, the professor just tells the information, but there are also professors who require you to be constantly active in class and fully immerse yourself in the work process. As for events, there are not as many interesting meetings for students as there were last year, but volunteers still organise themed parties and trips to Romanian sights. This country fascinated me, you learn something new here all the time, it’s easy to travel from here, and it’s easy to make friends.”
Oleksandra Nestoryk, 5th year student majoring in 035 Philology:
“Studying at University Alba Iulia is an incredible experience that has met all my expectations. The programme here offers a deep immersion in the chosen speciality, with an emphasis on practical skills that I have always sought to develop, the main vector of study here is aimed at writing scientific papers and conducting research. The teachers are professionals who have not only knowledge but also a sincere desire to help each student succeed. Their approach inspires self-development and arouses a real interest in the subjects.
Life in Romania was also a pleasant discovery for me a long time ago, and now I feel at home here. Alba Iulia is a small but cosy city with a rich history. I am especially fascinated by the atmosphere of the city and the area where it is located, making it a real pleasure to walk its streets. The locals are friendly and always ready to help, which creates a sense of comfort and cosiness even far from my first home.
In addition, the opportunity to study Romanian culture and traditions is an invaluable experience. I find a lot of inspiration here, and studying abroad has given me not only knowledge but also a new perspective on the world.”
About the students’ experience of studying at University “1 DECEMBRIE 1918” University of Alba Iulia in previous academic years can be found on the Poltava Polytechnic official website.
“We are extremely proud of our students, who demonstrate a high level of academic training and are actively involved in international programmes. Academic mobility not only promotes professional growth, but also helps students to discover new countries, get acquainted with other cultures, develop cooperation and tolerance skills. Such cooperation is the basis for forming a common European educational space and strengthening the international relations of our university,” – says Poltava Polytechnic’s International Cooperation Coordinator, Candidate of Philology, Associate Professor of the Department of Germanic Philology and Translation Anna Pavelieva.
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 about the current academic mobility programmes, please contact the International Relations Department (room 320-F, 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 (room 310-C, email: kunsite.zi@gmail.com, phone: +3-8-(095)-91-08-192).
Media Center of
National University “Yuri Kondratyuk Poltava Polytechnic”
