International Week on "Cross-continental Cooperation" of Erasmus + Staff Teaching and Training Mobility was successfully held at Cracow University of Economics (CUE) from 7 - 11 of 05 2018. 24 participants from different HEIs from 11countries participated at this mobility.
I am so glad that I was able to participate the Erasmus+ KA 107 programme as one of the Staff Training Mobility members and got a wonderful experience to meet international colleagues, exchange ideas, learn new skills and build global perspective.
International Week, organized by International Relations Office of CUE, featured a variety of events, including Presentation, Roundtable & who is who, lectures, workshops, Campus visit, Sharing National Tastes, etc.
It was really impressive on the first day at CUE. I was excited to step into the beautiful campus with good weather and met with international colleagues. All of participants signed and submitted Mobility Agreement that was provided prior to the start of the mobility and received Erasmus+ KA107 grant. Professor Aleksy Pocztowski, Vice-Rector of CUE attended the Opening Ceremony and delivered a Welcoming Speech. International Relations Office made a presentation of Cracow University of Economics.
On the 8th of 05, the participants introduced themselves, present their universities, exchange experiences and good work practices at Roundtable& who is who. I also presented our university by playing PowerPoint and sent SLUAF brochures to everyone.
On the 9th of 05, we attended Roundtable Debate about How Culture Matters in Intercontinental Cooperation? that was hosted by Professor Krzysztof Wach, Head of Department of International Trade. Six academic teachers as major discussants from different department of CUE share their experience and thoughts. The Roundtable encouraged the participants to exchange ideas according to “Questions for the debate”. we lively discussed on intercultural issues. Professor Krzysztof Wach delivered an interactive concluding lecture entitled Our Visible and Invisible Behaviours during Cross-Culture Communication. Another two lectures about international topics such as International Language of Art by Agnieszka Lakner, Culture Shock by Karina Grolewska were also popular.
To learn about Erasmus + Staff Teaching, I attened the lectures prepared for students: China, Hong Kong, and the World Economy by Prof. Gregory William Whitten, and Yiwu under the Belt and Road Initiative: An Update of Chinese Culture and Bussines Opportunities by Mr. Haiqing Li. Their lectures involved good interactions between teachers and students and created a good class atmosphere.
The special events of IW are studying Polish Language and Sharing National Tastes. I remember three words Czeszc (Hello), dzi?kuj? (thank you) and Do widzenia (Goodbye) by my first Polish lesson. 24 participants from different region or country brought some traditional food or sweets. Cue hosted us with Polish beetroot soap, dumplings and pancakes.
Campus Tour is the perfect way to get a feel for university life. We visited main building, library, finance building F, Sports and teaching buildings. Traditional-style main building is very magnificent and amazing. Finance building F is the tallest at campus and has great equipment. We saw creative works art University Art Gallery. Some students of CUE display their work at Art Exhibition. I also visited the dining hall and enjoy delicious food.
During the international week, I luckily visit to Rector Office. I met Agnieska Wisniewska, secretary of Vice Rector. I learn more about CUE community.
We specially met our student, Pan Mengjia. As an exchange student, she will study six months in CUE. We knew two polish students, Lucas and Sam. They can speak fluent English. Lucas also speaks a little Chinese.
This mobility let me learn more about Erasmus +. From Erasmus to Erasmus+, internationalization of the EU higher education has seen tremendous growth. This progamme is really great. I gave it a big thumb-up. I had the chance to learn about different HEIs, explore different cultures and learn from the experience and good practice of our international colleagues by the progamme. It helps me to improve my future works and inspires me to learn English better. I would like to recommend Erasmus + to further students or staff who are going to be on exchange.
CUE is one member of the EU universities and has a very high level of internationalization. I will continue to learn more about internationalization of CUE and help our university to develop international strategies.
Useful Links
http://ec.europa.eu/programmes/erasmus-plus/
