National University “Yuri Kondratyuk Poltava Polytechnic” demonstrates strong results in ICM development, providing students with the opportunity to integrate into the leading European educational space. The successful completion of the Fall semester of the 2024-2025 academic year was marked by the end of studies under the Erasmus+ program for two representatives of the Education and Research Institute of Finance, Economics, Management, and Law – Vladyslava Herashchenko (speciality “International Economic Relations”) and Daria Yehorova (speciality “Tourism and Recreation”). During the semester, the students mastered innovative disciplines at Laurea University of Applied Sciences (Finland). Summarising their educational mission, the students share their learning outcomes, professional achievements, and their experience of deep immersion in the Finnish model of education.
Vladyslava Herashchenko, student of group 401 FM, speciality “International Economic Relations”: “When so many incredible events happen in life over a fairly short period, and dreams begin to become reality, sometimes the brain simply does not have time to realise that all this is happening for real. This is exactly how I can describe my feelings from the exchange program in Finland. This period was filled with new knowledge, deep acquaintances, travel, and, most importantly, internal transformation.
Studying at Laurea University of Applied Sciences remained a source of discovery until the last day of the semester. Just as I thought I had mastered the Finnish education system, it threw new challenges at me. The project-oriented approach allowed me to go far beyond my usual roles: from conducting interviews with representatives of Finnish partner companies for a deep analysis of their needs to engaging in fierce discussions in international teams. A real test of professionalism was a half-hour interactive presentation of service design methods, conducted in English.
The final stage of the project was particularly fascinating. Here, the teacher’s assessment was only part of the process, as peer-to-peer assessment played a significant role. We analysed everyone’s contribution – both in anonymous questionnaires and during open “face-to-face” discussions. This experience challenged my emotional maturity, but it was exactly what helped me crystallise my understanding of my strengths and identify areas for future growth. I consider such an assessment system to be perhaps the most effective tool for self-development.
Along with innovative approaches, some aspects of learning proved challenging for me because they were unusual. In particular, the assessment system for the Finnish language course was an interesting experience, where the final result depended exclusively on the final exam. The lack of points for attendance or activity during the semester forced me to rethink my own attitude toward academic responsibility and compare different educational paradigms.
Overall, the experience at the Finnish university became a powerful catalyst for my inner confidence. I realised that our opportunities are much wider than we used to think, and that the main barriers often exist only in our imagination. This semester helped me not only crystallise my strengths but also clearly outline areas for future development, shaping the trajectory of my professional development.
In addition to studying, this semester was a time to fulfil dreams that had previously seemed unattainable. The brightest of them was snowy Lapland. Together with an international team of students, we set off on a real winter fairy tale: we visited Santa Claus near Rovaniemi, the Levi ski resort, and the northern lights, and discovered the wild, harsh yet incredibly beautiful northern nature. The temperature of -30°C was a real test but also an unforgettable experience. We lived in traditional wooden cottages with saunas, went skiing, and got acquainted with the region's culture.
However, the real challenge was the trip to the Norwegian fjords. Seeing the majestic Lyngenfjord with my own eyes and daring to jump into the icy waters of the Arctic Ocean at a temperature of -12°C... These moments of adrenaline and pure happiness will forever remain among the most precious memories of my life.
A solo journey through Christmas capitals took a special place in my heart. Visiting the Christmas markets of Riga and Copenhagen allowed me not only to see new places but to truly feel the philosophy of Danish hygge and fall in love with northern hospitality forever. This experience of independent travel became a real school of autonomy and inspiration for me.
The final chord of the semester was a visit to Sweden. An 18-hour journey on a giant nine-story cruise liner across the Baltic Sea was an adventure in itself. Stockholm greeted us with the cosy streets of the Old Town and authentic Swedish cuisine, adding another bright page to my Erasmus experience book.
Saying goodbye to other students was extremely difficult. During this time, we became a real community, as we lived through important and emotional moments together. Although we live in different countries and even on different continents, we promised to keep in touch and definitely meet again.
Describing this experience in a few words is incredibly difficult. But if I had to choose just one, it was a real life-changing” experience. After such an experience, it is impossible to remain the same person you were on the station platform on the first day. Erasmus is about the birth of a new version of yourself. I sincerely wish everyone who feels even a drop of doubt: do not be afraid. Take risks, step out of your comfort zone, and boldly dive into the unknown, because that is how stories that change lives are born. My heart is full of gratitude to Poltava Polytechnic for this incredible chance. I am sure that this is not the end, but only a bright beginning of my great journey!”
Vladyslava’s experience clearly shows that Erasmus+ is more than just studying; it is a path to a new version of yourself. No less fascinating and productive was Daria Yehorova’s educational journey. As a future specialist in tourism, Finland became not only an educational platform for her but also a living example of how the hospitality and recreation industry operates in Scandinavian countries. Daria admits: this exchange exceeded all her expectations.
Daria Yehorova, student of group 301 ET, speciality “Tourism and Recreation”: “I still find it hard to believe that my academic exchange experience in Finland is not a dream, but a reality. Looking back, I realise how saturated, deep, and transformative this period of my life was. Going to study under the Erasmus+ program in Scandinavia, I didn’t even imagine that so many discoveries, acquaintances, challenges, and unforgettable moments awaited me, which would forever change my worldview and my life.
Studying at a Finnish university was a valuable academic experience for me and, at the same time, an example of a completely different educational culture. The educational process was built on the principles of Project-Based Learning, with the main emphasis on the practical application of knowledge rather than memorising material. Students work in international teams on real projects for real clients, which form responsibility, independence, and teamwork skills.
Particularly valuable to me was that, at the end of each project, we not only presented the results but also conducted self- and peer-assessments. Each student analysed their own contribution and the work of team members, providing constructive feedback. Teachers took these assessments into account during the final grading, which taught us honesty, reflection, and critical thinking.
Despite a more informal style of communication with teachers than in Ukraine, studies remained serious, intense, and focused on high-quality results. In the Finnish education system, there is almost no pressure, constant reminders, or excessive control. Instead, students are trusted and motivated to develop self-discipline and internal responsibility. This approach allowed me to study without stress, with a high level of engagement and interest.
In addition to the academic experience, the exchange in Finland gave me many opportunities to travel, and they became some of the brightest memories of this period. During the exchange, I visited Estonia, Norway, Belgium, and Sweden, as well as several cities in Finland, and each country opened up to me in its own way.
The most impressive was the trip to Norway – a country of fantastic fjords, majestic mountains, and landscapes that seem unreal. It was there that I felt the real power of Scandinavian nature and realised how much it can both inspire and soothe.
A separate, almost magical chapter of my exchange was Lapland. This place seems like a separate dimension of reality. In just five days, I lived through more challenges and emotions than in many years of my life: I fed reindeer from my hands, bathed in the Arctic Ocean at a temperature of -12°C, walked with friends from different continents at -30°C, searched for the northern lights at night for several hours, and, finally, saw them with my own eyes.
Mountain skiing in Lapland became my No. 1 dream come true. As a professional in ski sports, skiing beyond the Arctic Circle at -25°C was not just a challenge but a moment of absolute triumph. Once it seemed like an unattainable fairy tale somewhere at the edge of the world, but today it is my reality. It was a semester that taught me the main thing: the distance between a dream and reality is much smaller than it seems.
No less fabulous a moment of my exchange was visiting Santa Claus’s residence. I could not have imagined that one day I would find myself in a place that, since childhood, seemed like a fiction. Everything around me looked as if I had fallen into the movie “Frozen”: trees, houses, paths – everything was covered with snow and icy frost, creating an incredible atmosphere of winter magic. In small houses, thousands of letters from people around the world are kept – there is even an entire cupboard filled with children’s dreams, desires, and words of faith in a miracle. Especially symbolic was that the Arctic Circle passes through the residence, marked with a clear marker. In childhood, I was convinced that the North Pole was somewhere on the other side of the world, almost in Antarctica, but this November I was standing right on it, realising that dreams really do come true.
The Erasmus experience taught me to scale dreams. Tom Odell’s concert in Belgium became a bright cultural accent of the semester, proving that for an international student, there are no impossible routes.
However, the most valuable discoveries awaited me at home. Living under one roof with girls from Mexico, Taiwan, Japan, France, and Ukraine became my best school of life. We exchanged not just recipes for national dishes or language tips – we exchanged worldviews. These joint evenings and sincere support became my main sources of inspiration. I am infinitely grateful for the people who became my world for these few months.
I can say with confidence that the academic mobility experience in Finland became one of the most important stages of my personal and professional development. It was not just an exchange or studying abroad – it was a path to self-discovery, maturation, and expansion of my own horizons. This experience will forever remain in my heart, and I am sincerely grateful to Poltava Polytechnic for the opportunity to live it to the fullest!”.
The stories of Vladyslava and Daria are not just travel diaries but real examples of how Poltava Polytechnic helps form a new generation of competitive specialists. Thanks to such programs, students return to Ukraine with a European mindset, unique practical experience, and a global vision of their profession. Successful cases from our students once again confirm that there are no borders to learning, and every new Erasmus semester is a contribution to the future of Ukrainian science and the economy. The University continues to expand its network of international partnerships, creating new opportunities for everyone who strives to change the world for the better.
You can read about the first impressions of Vladyslava Herashchenko and Daria Yehorova from their mobility studies at Laurea University of Applied Sciences here.
In 2023, four Polytechnic students – Polina Kulyk, Dana Sholokh, Anastasiia Duchkova, and Diana Kuchka – participated in the Erasmus+ credit-based academic mobility program at Laurea University of Applied Sciences. You can read about their mobility experience here and here.
“On behalf of National University “Yuri Kondratyuk Poltava Polytechnic” and myself personally, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to our esteemed partner, Laurea University of Applied Sciences, for our long-term fruitful cooperation and the exceptional level of academic mobility programs. I would like to extend my special thanks to Saara Vestu, Specialist in International Affairs, whose professional support, dedication, and care for each student make these exchanges truly successful.
For our university, such partnerships are the cornerstone of internationalization and integration into the European educational community. For our students, it is a unique, often life-changing experience that strengthens them both professionally and personally. We highly value the trust of our colleagues from Laurea and are convinced that many more successful joint projects lie ahead, continuing to change the lives of our talented youth for the better!” – says Anna Pavelieva, International Relations Coordinator at Poltava Polytechnic.
National University “Yuri Kondratyuk Poltava Polytechnic” continues to actively collaborate with European universities, offering students the opportunity to gain a high-quality education and invaluable international experience – a fundamental step toward developing globally competitive specialists.
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 contact the International Relations Office (office 213-C, interoffice@nupp.edu.ua).
