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Description
The project made it possible to implement mobilities in Donor States, which would not have been possible without this financing. Participation in the project improved the students’ skills and competences through the opportunity to follow a part of their education in another country. Project implementation helped to create professional relationships and to strengthen the existing ones. The implementation of the project remains in line with the University’s objectives related to internationalization.
The goal of the project was to carry out 20 student and staff mobilities, including: 10 outbound mobilities for partial studies; 2 inbound mobilities for partial studies; 2 outbound student mobilities for internships; 2 inbound student mobilities for internships; 1 outbound staff mobility; and 3 inbound staff mobilities.
Summary of project results
Although it was not possible to fully achieve the quantitative goals, participation in the project nevertheless had a positive impact on the participant’s development (both personal and educational) – the impact that will continue to bring “returns” in the future.
Developing analytical and problem-solving skills, experience of working in an international group and in the English language, stimulating creativity and openness – these are the qualities, inherent in the project, that translate into building self-esteem. The participants also gained a broader socio-political perspective on selected countries, and on Europe in general. These aspects have the power to shape and influence professional paths, to increase the participant’s intellectual capital and knowledge, and thus to open opportunities for better employment and further development. Despite the failure to achieve the assumed quantitative goals, the 9 people who decided to participate in the mobilities most certainly benefited from becoming beneficiaries of the program not in name only – but also in terms of the experience they gained, which will pay off and shape their later decisions.
The mobility contributed to building greater self-confidence, and conviction about one’s skills, as well as self-awareness and improvement of adaptability. Another important aspect was the development of analytical and critical thinking skills, and building an attitude of greater openness, curiosity, but also tolerance. Beneficiaries became more interested in European issues, in concepts such as: justice, equality, citizenship, and human rights. It was also important that they improved competences related to their particular field of study.
8 out of 9 people – with high or reasonable confidence – learned how to think logically and draw conclusions; how to express themselves in a creative way; how to make better decisions; and how to cooperate with people from other cultures and backgrounds.
7 out of 9 people feel that they are better at developing and implementing ideas; they are planning to be more actively involved in social and political life; they are more interested in world events; and they feel their European identity more strongly.
The “I have no opinion” option constituted a small percentage of the remaining responses. One person declared that thanks to the exchange, they did not develop an original idea and put it into practice, and did not start to express themselves in a more creative way.
Summary of bilateral results
Cracow University of Economics previously worked with universities from Donor States under the Scholarship and Training Fund Program, and now under the Education Program. Without the project, the mobility – especially the outbound mobility – would be less numerous or very likely impossible due to the high cost of living in these countries. The experience and contacts established in this project translate into cooperation within other schemes, including scientific/research collaborations. There is no doubt that cooperation with the Donor States translates into a better understanding of the educational systems of these countries, and students who are the main beneficiaries have the opportunity to gain substantial knowledge and experience profiting from the diversity of these educational systems. In case of University of South-Eastern Norway, contacts enabled and are supporting realization of joint research projekt.