Ostroh Academy Students Began their Semester Studies at European Universities

September 19, 2024

The National University of Ostroh Academy has been operating within the framework of the Erasmus+ programme since 2015. During this period, they created an extensive network of partners from Europe to establish cooperation in academic and professional exchanges. About 100 university students, staff and lecturers became participants in the programme just in the last academic year.

In this academic semester, students of Ostroh Academy also have the opportunity to participate in semester exchanges and internship programmes at prestigious universities in Europe, including Spain, Lithuania, the Czech Republic, and Poland.

The University of Jaén (Spain) and Ostroh Academy held a competition for the Erasmus+ scholarship within the framework of Key Action 171 to facilitate academic mobility with partner countries in the first semester of the 2024-2025 academic year. In particular, recently, third-year students of the Educational and Scientific Institute of Linguistics, Anhelina Kyrychuk, and the Educational and Scientific Institute of International Relations and National Security, Sofiia Kulakovska, began their studies at the University of Jaén.

"The Erasmus+ programme by Ostroh Academy is about discovering new worlds, knowledge and skills, about making dreams come true and the opportunity to see yourself from the other side. My second semester of study in Spain began a week ago. And having returned here, I felt that this country had already become a part of my life. Before, I hadn't even thought about studying abroad, travelling, and having friends worldwide. I sincerely thank Ostroh Academy for helping me make this path possible. Thanks to my studies at the Institute of Linguistics, I was able to adapt to new conditions confidently, and I am now continuing to learn a new language and culture",

"Meeting new people, interactive learning, cultural exchange – this is just the beginning of my experience at Universidad de Jaén. The opportunity to participate in the Erasmus+ programme has already become an important step for me on the way to obtaining an education in international relations. I am infinitely grateful for the opportunity to represent our university abroad, as Ostroh Academy is truly a tradition that creates the future!"

Within the framework of the bilateral Cooperation Agreement between Mykolas Romeris University (Lithuania) and Ostroh Academy, a third-year student of the Educational and Scientific Institute of Linguistics, Kateryna Opeida, and a second-year student of the second (master's) level of higher education of the Educational and Scientific Institute of International Relations and National Security, Bohdana Bilokobylska, began their studies in the first semester of the 2024-2025 academic year at Mykolas Romeris University.

"I have the honour to become an academic exchange student for the second time and get a unique opportunity to study at a Lithuanian university, gaining new knowledge, experience, skills, learning new practices, exploring new cultures and customs of other countries and discovering new horizons, becoming a professional in my field of study. For me, this is not only an honour but also a great responsibility because this is the time when it is necessary to demonstrate that, despite the full-scale war, constant bombing and air raids, Ukraine is fighting and moving forward, as well as its youth, who are studying and developing to rebuild a strong and independent Ukraine shortly",

"This exchange programme is a great opportunity to grow personally and professionally. Studying at Mykolas Romeris University is about a deeper immersion into Lithuanian society and a better understanding of its culture and history, which is more important than ever in the context of the threat from the russian federation. It is also an invaluable experience for my future career, especially in maintaining and improving friendly relations between Ukraine and European countries,"

Oleksandra Riabinchak and Dariia Stelmakh-Perekhodko, third-year students of the Educational and Scientific Institute of International Relations and National Security, will study at the University of Hradec Králové (Czech Republic) during the first semester of the 2024-2025 academic year.

"I'm happy that I went to gain new academic experience at the University of Hradec Králové. It is a wonderful educational institution with friendly people who share their knowledge and skills with pleasure. Representing my university abroad is an honour for me, as well as for every student. That's why I will do my best. I am grateful to Ostroh Academy for the opportunity to see something new, meet friends, study a lot, and share the experiences of Ukrainian students in the Czech Republic. These emotions are invaluable",

"I am grateful to Ostroh Academy and the International Relations Department for the opportunity to study as an exchange student. It has given me valuable opportunities to gain useful experience, make new acquaintances, and make independent decisions. An important aspect for me is the continuous improvement of my communication skills to express my opinion confidently, as well as gain new knowledge,"

Within the framework of the bilateral Agreement between the Pomeranian Academy in Słupsk (Republic of Poland) and Ostroh Academy, a second-year student of the Ioan Malynovskyi Institute of Law, Ihor Konopka, will have the opportunity to study at the Pomeranian Academy during the first semester of the 2024-2025 academic year.

"The exchange programme at Pomeranian University will allow me to deepen my knowledge of law. It will be interesting to compare the legal systems of the two countries. I believe that this experience will help me gain new knowledge and develop communication skills. This programme is a step in the right direction that will allow me to become more competitive in the global job market",

A third-year student of the Educational and Scientific Institute of Linguistics, Lada Zaliskа, will complete a professional internship at Klaipeda State University of Applied Sciences (Lithuania).

"This professional internship is about an unexpected twist of fate that will change my life for the better. I am confident that I will gain unforgettable experiences here, which I dream of skillfully using later; wonderful acquaintances that will grow into friendly relations, and, most importantly, the opportunity to represent Ukraine and Ostroh Academy at the international level",

Eduard Balashov, Doctor of Sciences (Psychology), Full Professor, Assistant Rector for International Cooperation and Fundraising of the NaUOA, summarised:

"Ostroh Academy is intensively implementing the «Internationalisation Strategy» provisions, providing students with increasing opportunities to participate in semester mobility programmes. Every year, the geography of our partner European universities expands. We encourage NaUOA students to improve their level of English, study well, engage in active social activities, lead a healthy lifestyle, and do sports because these characteristics will provide them with a great chance to become participants in the student mobility programme. Participation in such a programme, believe me, will be one of the greatest adventures in students' lives".

To learn more about the Erasmus+ programme, please follow the link: https://www.oa.edu.ua/en/resources/relations/erasmuss/