National University “Yuri Kondratyuk Poltava Polytechnic” continues to actively expand opportunities for academic mobility, providing students with invaluable experience studying at leading European universities. In the Fall Semester of the 2025-2026 academic year, two students from the Educational and Research Institute of Finance, Economics, Management, and Law (ERIFEML) received a grant to study under the Erasmus+ credit academic mobility program in Austria. Viktoria Karalash, a student from group 301 FM specialising in “International Economic Relations”, and Marharyta Rayevska, a student from group 301-EFit specialising in “Finance, Banking, Insurance, and Stock Market”, successfully began their studies at the Austrian University of Applied Sciences Wiener Neustadt.
The students share their first impressions of this educational mission, which has become not just an academic adventure for them, but a true immersion into a new culture and the European way of life:
“The University of Applied Sciences Wiener Neustadt is one of the most renowned Austrian higher education institutions, distinguished by high-quality teaching and practical orientation. Within the mobility program, the students are mastering a complex of disciplines focused on international economics and finance. The curriculum includes: Corporate Finance, Multinational Finance and Risk, Derivative Security and Structured Finance, Management Accounting, Company Analysis, and Marketing/Sales Controlling. Additionally, the program includes the study of Law for International Business, as well as the development of communication skills through courses such as Deutsch (German language), Professional English, and Social and Professional Skills”, – says Viktoriia.
According to the students, every subject here emphasises “learning by doing”. Lecturers often integrate practical cases and assignments based on real business situations into the learning process, ensuring a deep understanding of how the modern European market operates. This brings the educational process as close as possible to the real business environment.
Viktoriia and Marharyta were particularly impressed by the lecturers' approach. They build communication with students on equal terms, creating an atmosphere of absolute trust and support. The university encourages the free expression of thoughts and ideas, providing a space where no one is afraid to make mistakes.
“Most classes take place in the format of interactive discussions, presentations, and joint projects. The main goal of such teaching is not rote memorisation of material, but the development of critical thinking and the ability to work effectively in an international team.
We were also highly pleased with the modern facilities at the University of Applied Sciences Wiener Neustadt. Comfortable classrooms, a powerful library with electronic access to international scientific resources, and pleasant student zones provide ideal conditions for a fruitful learning process and independent work”, – shares Marharyta.
Student life in Wiener Neustadt is rich and multifaceted: “The university actively organises meetings, workshops, trips, and various cultural events that help us integrate into the European environment, and the Erasmus Students Network (ESN) in Austria turns students into one big, friendly family. We often spend time together: exploring the city, travelling around Austria, enjoying the famous Austrian strudel, and walking along the ancient streets.
The city of Wiener Neustadt, located just an hour from Vienna, perfectly combines modernity with traditional Austrian architecture, and the picturesque Alps stretch out all around. Life here is comfortable, safe, and extremely orderly: transport runs exactly on schedule, and the locals are always smiling and ready to help. Austria impresses with its cleanliness, culture of respect for nature, and harmonious rhythm. Every day in this country is inspiring, turning everyday studies into a creative process”, – notes Viktoria.
Participation in the Erasmus+ program has been a unique experience for the Poltava Polytechnic students, one that extends far beyond classroom learning. This mobility allowed them not only to see a different, more practically oriented education system but also to develop key professional and personal skills. The time spent in Austria taught Viktoria and Marharyta to value multiculturalism and to develop their independence, flexibility, and openness to new things.
“Austria impresses us daily with its deep culture of respect for nature and an astonishingly harmonious rhythm of life. Here, every day is filled with inspiration—from cosy morning coffee in a small cafe to evening walks through the historic centre. Participating in the Erasmus+ program was a unique opportunity for us to see a different education system, develop our professional skills, and feel the true European spirit. We know: Austria will forever remain in our hearts as a place where learning turns into endless inspiration, and every day lived is a significant step forward in our professional and personal growth. We are immensely grateful to Poltava Polytechnic for giving us this unique chance – the opportunity to study under the Erasmus+ program and realise our professional potential at a European level!” – says Marharyta.
Poltava Polytechnic has been closely cooperating with the University of Applied Sciences Wiener Neustadt for three years, which annually welcomes polytechnic students for study under the Erasmus+ credit academic mobility program. For example, in the fall of 2023, Mariia Bovkun, a student of specialization 073 “Management”, studied there (you can read about her experience here and here); in the fall of 2024, Mariia Zaitseva, a master's student from group 501-FM specializing in 292 “International Economic Relations” (learn more about her participation in this mobility program here and here); and in the spring of 2025, students Nataliia Vashchenko, Valentyna Babets, and Olha Kushnirova (read about their studies in Austria here and here).
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 get in touch with the International Relations Office (office 213-C, interoffice@nupp.edu.ua) or the coordinator of international activities at the National University “Yuri Kondratyuk Poltava Polytechnic” – Anna Pavelieva, Ph.D. in Philology, Associate Professor of the Department of Germanic Philology and Translation (email: kunsite.zi@gmail.com, phone: +38-(095)-91-08-192).
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