#erasmus #mobile #mobility #international
I will be honest with you – two years of the pandemic crisis have had a strong impact on the implementation of the assumptions of the Erasmus + program. First one lockdown, then another, restrictions, travel rules, vaccinations…. It all only increased the fear. Many are afraid of traveling abroad.
My example is a great proof that in the era of coronavirus it is possible to successfully implement plans and dreams. Together with a group of friends from five European universities, we are now implementing the RIPEC project, which aims to find the best way to manage crisis in mobility projects. The Academy of Social and Media Culture in Toruń (Poland) is building a strategic partnership with them.
One of these strategic partners is the Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences (Πάντειον Πανεπιστήμιο Κοινωνικών και Πολιτικών Επιστημών). It was in Athens that I spent two weeks in January 2022 to find new didactic inspiration. It was really worth it.
Efi Ntrouva was my friend and the host of the didactic training in Athens. From the beginning, my cooperation was perfect. As part of the project carried out at the University of Toruń, I was tasked with searching for innovative teaching methods.
From the very beginning, I had great contact with the lecturers. As it turned out, the above-mentioned issue that I am investigating is widely analyzed in Greece. The pioneers turned out to be anthropologists and sociologists. I got a lot of help from the library staff who made all the resources available to me.
In terms of practical help, I was assisted by prof. Yannis Skarpelos, who teaches students the visualization of culture and the semiotics of visualization in communication. It was an interesting experience. I listened with great interest about modern methods of analyzing and communicating the results of youth research in the context of existing material and non-material elements of the national heritage of Greece. At the same time, I was learning about innovative teaching techniques used in Athens.
Of course, apart from research and teaching purposes, I could not give up my private tourist preferences, which, however, were limited by pandemic restrictions. I always had my ID card and passport confirming vaccination against COVID-19 at hand. Believe me – the Acropolis is amazing.
When they ask me what Erasmus + gives, I answer: knowledge, experience, opening to new cultures, improving language skills, overcoming fear of contacts with others, etc. The Erasmus + program is an unimaginable experience and I encourage everyone to take advantage of this offer. Really worth.
See you soon on Erasmus my friends!
Krystian Chołaszczyński
I think that the experience gained during a pandemic is particularly important and relevant. Thanks to this, we can get to know how other academic centers function in such a difficult time. It is a valuable lesson for all of us, and an attempt to find answers on what to do when such crisis events occur again. Thank you Krystian for Your interesting and valuable relationship. Best wishes.