Students of the Faculty of Foreign Philology at Kamianets-Podilskyi Ivan Ohiienko National University, together with Tetiana Storchova, Head of the Office for International Cooperation, PhD in Pedagogical Sciences, and Associate Professor of the English Language Department, participated in the Erasmus+ BIP and eTwinning project “Cultural Kaleidoscope: Unity Within Diversity – Preparing Student Teachers for Teaching in Europe”.
Over the past week, Kateryna Hafich, Oksana Nytchyn, Luisa Dorofei, Anastasiia Polishchuk, and Anastasiia Nevenhlovska worked side by side with partner students from Austria, Belgium, Germany, and France. This provided a unique opportunity not only to experience European academic culture from the inside but also to feel like an active part of it.
In the European Café format, the students ‘savored’ European values – reflecting on, discussing, and comparing different experiences and approaches to the following key themes:
- Democracy: How is it taught in schools, and what does true participation mean?
- Equality & Human Rights: What should fairness in education look like?
- Multilingualism & Diversity: How does language shape identity and pave the way for understanding others?
- Solidarity & Environment: How can schools foster responsibility – both for people and for the planet?
The students actively engaged in discussions on European education, presented their own ideas, worked on the TwinSpace platform within the eTwinning framework, and collaboratively sought answers to vital social and educational questions, such as: “What is the focus of your national school system?” and “How does teacher education prepare you for this focus?”
A significant part of the program was a visit to the European Parliament – a landmark encounter with the living history and modern reality of a united Europe. During the visit, participants had the opportunity to witness the work of one of the European Union’s key institutional centres and learn more about the decision-making processes that affect the lives of millions of citizens.
The atmosphere of openness and dialogue made a special impression: within the walls of the Parliament, students felt how cooperation, mutual respect, and adherence to democratic procedures transform into real mechanisms of governance.
As part of the teamwork, Ohiienko University students, together with students from Belgium, France, Austria, and Germany, created their own ‘Cultural Kaleidoscope’ based on the themes of ‘Famous People,’ ‘Fashion,’ ‘Food and Drink,’ ‘Literature,’ ‘Music,’ and ‘Christmas Celebrations.’ Ukraine’s voice resonated in each of these topics, becoming a true kaleidoscope of cultural unity, mutual understanding, respect, equality, pride, and honour.
Through their participation in the “Cultural Kaleidoscope: Unity Within Diversity – Preparing Student Teachers for Teaching in Europe” project, K-PNU students gained valuable international experience that fostered the expansion of their professional competencies, intercultural dialogue, and awareness of shared European values.
We work, we learn, and we win!
Office for International Cooperation