International academic mobility is a unique opportunity to go beyond the usual educational process, immerse oneself in a new culture, and gain an experience that inspires for a lifetime. This summer, two master's students from the National University “Yuri Kondratyuk Poltava Polytechnic”, studying in the speciality A4 “Secondary Education”, Albina Hrun and Yuliia Nikolenko, took advantage of this opportunity by participating in the prestigious Summer School of Slavonic Studies in the city of Olomouc, Czech Republic.
For a month, the girls not only intensively studied the Czech language from scratch but also became part of a large international community. Their program was filled with excursions, creative workshops, cultural evenings, and, of course, meeting new friends. They shared their vivid impressions and stories with us.
Albina Hrun, master's student of speciality A4 “Secondary Education”:
“I had an excellent opportunity to participate in the Summer School of Slavonic Studies in the city of Olomouc, Czech Republic. The program was vibrant and engaging – we were never bored. I met about 20 new cool friends from different countries, with whom I spent time every day.
Our morning usually started with yoga, which helped us wake up in a good mood and get energised. Then, we attended Czech language courses, studied actively, and ultimately passed an exam to receive a level A1 certificate.
The program included many cultural and educational events. We attended film screenings where we watched movies in the Czech language. Thanks to its similarity to Ukrainian, it was easier for us to understand, and this helped us immerse ourselves even better in the culture and practice the language.
One of the trips was an excursion to the Litovel Brewery, where we observed the beer production process, sampled the beer, and even purchased some to take with us. After that, we walked through the small but very cosy town of Litovel. We also took part in excellent historical tours of Olomouc, where we discovered the beauty and grandeur of this city.
In addition, we participated in many events:
- Summer School Campfire – a meeting with international students by the fire, with sausages, concerts, and socialising.
- Traditional Dancing & Music Workshop – folk dance masterclasses where we all learned to dance together.
- Pivetskyi zbor – we gathered and sang traditional Czech songs together.
- Folklore Night – an evening of folk culture with dances, songs, and national performances.
- Open Air Cinema – cinema under the open sky, very atmospheric.
- International Picnic – we presented the cuisines of our countries. We prepared varenyky with sour cream for the picnic, and all the foreigners were delighted, asking us to come again and treat them. We also tried the cuisines of other countries, met foreigners, and shared with them our culture and Ukraine.
We also remember the opening and closing of the project – very heartfelt and touching moments where we could feel a sense of unity and watch the photos and videos prepared for us by the organisers.
Thanks to this school, I not only learned the basics of the Czech language and received a certificate, but also gained a huge cultural experience, new friends, and a sea of vivid impressions and memories”, – shares Albina.
Yuliia Nikolenko, master's student of speciality A4 “Secondary Education”
“The Summer School in Olomouc was an unforgettable experience for me, one that will forever remain in my heart. For a month, 5 days a week, we attended intensive Czech language courses. When we arrived in the Czech Republic, even saying 'thank you' in Czech was not easy. During our studies, we learned to navigate shops and establishments, ask basic questions to locals, and feel confident in everyday communication.
The program was rich and engaging, and during this month, we lived a real student life together with friends from different countries. The participants varied in age, ranging from teenagers to adults, and each day brought new acquaintances and shared moments of joy. The teachers were always ready to help and explain any question, which made the learning process comfortable and highly effective.
I especially remember the excursion to Beskydy – a mountain range with picturesque trails and incredible panoramas. Walking along forest routes, the fresh mountain air and breathtaking views created a sense of connection with nature, inspiring new adventures.
One of the highlights of the school was the culinary event, where participants presented the cuisines of their countries. We prepared varenyky with different fillings and treated everyone to them. Ukrainian cuisine made a real impression – many participants noted its incredible taste. It was not only a gastronomic experience but also an excellent opportunity to share our culture, exchange recipes, and smiles with friends from all over the world.
At the end of the program, we took the final exam in the Czech language, and our certificates depended on the results. Despite the excitement, we successfully passed and received high marks – it was a worthy conclusion to our eventful month.
Olomouc remains a special city for us, one that gave us countless bright memories, new friends, and a unique experience. During this time, we discovered the culture and traditions of the Czech Republic, significantly improved our language skills, and felt like part of a large international community. The Summer School will forever remain in my memory and has inspired me for further studies, travels, and new adventures”, – says Yuliia.
The stories of Albina and Yuliia are more than just travel reports. They are living proof of how academic mobility broadens horizons, breaks stereotypes, and builds bridges between cultures. From morning yoga and learning Czech to preparing varenyky for international friends and hiking in the mountains – every moment of this trip was a valuable contribution to their personal and professional development. Their experience proves that proper education goes far beyond the classroom, and Poltava Polytechnic continues to create opportunities for its students to discover the world.
In 2024, the participants of the Summer Schools of Slavonic Studies were Inna Vasylieva and Sofiia Dmytriuk, and in 2023 – students Yana Kharchenko and Sofiia Dmytriuk.
As a reminder, lecturers of Poltava Polytechnic are eligible to participate in academic mobility and internship programmes. Students can study abroad through Erasmus+ credit academic mobility grant programmes for a semester or a full academic year at leading universities in Austria, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Greenland, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, and the Czech Republic.
For more detailed information regarding current internship, teaching, and academic mobility programmes abroad, please get in touch with the International Relations Office (room 213-C, interoffice@nupp.edu.ua) or the coordinator of international activities of the National University “Yuri Kondratyuk Poltava Polytechnic” – Candidate of Philological Sciences, Associate Professor of the Department of Germanic Philology and Translation, Anna Pavelieva (email: kunsite.zi@gmail.com, phone: +38-(095)-91-08-192).
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