From December 8 to 12, students from Ohienko University visited Bruges, Belgium, to participate in a Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) under the EU’s Erasmus+ initiative, hosted by Howest University of Applied Sciences.
In accordance with the BIP requirements, the project followed a blended format, with the first online session taking place on October 7, 2025. Throughout the programme, participants actively engaged and collaborated with students from France, Austria, Germany, Canada, Belgium, Spain, Japan, and the Philippines, sharing professional experiences and cultural practices.
The Ohienko University students shared their impressions of participating in this international project:
Anastasiia Polishchuk (Major: 014 Secondary Education (English Language and Foreign Literature)):
“Participating in the project ‘Cultural Kaleidoscope: Unity within Diversity’ has been a significant professional milestone for me. A week of workshops with students from different countries made me realize that true learning happens when we listen to one another and are willing to share our experiences without the fear of being different. After attending a lecture at the European Parliament, I saw that international cooperation is possible only when everyone preserves their uniqueness while respecting others. This experience taught me to value diversity and helped me realize the importance of openness in my professional life.”
Oksana Nytchyn (Major: 014 Secondary Education (English Language and Foreign Literature)):
“Thanks to this project, I was able to gain a deeper understanding of European values and realize the importance of collaborating with colleagues from other countries. During our visit to the European Parliament, I learned about the history of the European Union’s foundation and its core objectives. In my opinion, this knowledge will be invaluable for my future career, as a teacher must educate students on the importance of values and democracy. Furthermore, participating in this project allowed me to explore various working methods and resources, making me more confident in my knowledge and practical skills. This experience demonstrated how vital it is to be open to intercultural communication and to excel in teamwork. The insights and knowledge I gained will be highly beneficial in my future work with students, particularly in fostering their civic awareness and tolerance toward other nationalities.”
Luiza Dorofei (Major: 014 Secondary Education (English Language and Literature)):
“Participating in the Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) and Twinning project, ‘Cultural Kaleidoscope: Unity within Diversity – Preparing Student Teachers for Teaching in Europe’ in Bruges, was a valuable professional and personal experience for me. Engaging in workshops and projects helped me develop teamwork skills alongside student teachers from other countries. It showed that we all have something to learn from one another and that, despite our differences, we are united by European values and a shared commitment to passing them on to the younger generation. The visit to the European Parliament and the workshops broadened my understanding of the structure and functions of European institutions. This is crucial for fostering civic education in children—as future EU citizens—and for developing the global competence required of a modern teacher. This project provided a significant boost to my professional development, motivated me to pursue further international initiatives, and highlighted the vital importance of being open to new cultures and educational practices in today’s schools.”
Anastasiia Nevenhlovska (Major: 014 Secondary Education (English Language and Literature)):
“The EU Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) and Twinning project, ‘A Cultural Kaleidoscope: Unity within Diversity – Preparing Student Teachers for Teaching in Europe,’ gave me the opportunity to broaden my horizons and encouraged me to view the teaching profession through a wider, European lens. For me, the most valuable aspect was interacting and attending workshops with other students. Working in international groups was incredibly beneficial. Concepts such as ‘multilingualism,’ ‘plurilingualism,’ and ‘translanguaging’ became much clearer to me, as we saw firsthand how they function when people with different native languages communicate with one another.”
Kateryna Hafich (Major: 014 Secondary Education (English Language and Foreign Literature)):
“This project allowed me to immerse myself in the history of the European Union, learning about its values and how they were shaped. Consequently, I realized that a teacher meeting European standards must instill these values in their students; this has become a primary objective for my future career. Another vital observation was seeing how students from different countries collaborated. While working in groups to create our ‘kaleidoscope,’ I learned so much about other cultures. Our joint discussions, exchange of ideas, and comparisons of different teaching approaches demonstrated that diversity is not an obstacle, but a resource. I understood that a modern teacher should not only transmit knowledge but also foster openness, respect, and a readiness for cooperation in their students. Overall, this project was a significant step for me, as it helped me gain confidence in working within an international environment. Moreover, I am now motivated to develop as a teacher who can raise a generation of conscious citizens. Many more important and exciting events lie ahead because TEACHERS MATTER!”
We work, we learn, and we win!
Office for International Cooperation