During the spring semester of the 2023–2024 academic year, students of Bohdan Khmelnytsky National University of Cherkasy are studying under the Erasmus+ KA171 academic mobility programme at Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences (Latvia).

Among these students are: Anna Kalantayeva, the 3^rd year student, ED “Bachelor”, the Educational-Scientific Institute of Informational and Educational Technologies, specialty 113 “Applied Mathematics”; Yulia Sotula, the 1^st year student, ED “Master”, the Educational-Scientific Institute of Ukrainian Philology and Social Communications, EP “Digital Media, Advertising and PR-Communications”; Anna Sharina, the 2^nd year student, ED “Bachelor”, the Educational-Scientific Institute of Economics and Law, specialty 051 “Economics”, EP “International Economics”; Kateryna Khyzhnyak, the 2^nd year student, ED “Bachelor”, the Department of Computing Engineering, Intellectual and Management Systems, specialty 121 “Software engineering”.

In addition to studying, students travel, study Latvian culture, make new friends and spread Ukrainian culture among Latvians.

Yulia Sotula shared her impressions:

– Today, each of us has the opportunity to realize our dream of studying abroad, which is so romanticized in social networks. Here we are, four students from Bohdan Khmelnytsky National University of Cherkasy, who took advantage of this opportunity and went to study under the Erasmus+ KA171 academic mobility programme at Vidzeme University in Latvia.

What do we think about it, being here for about a month? Let’s start from the beginning. We came to the town of Valmiera expecting new impressions and acquaintances. And, to be honest, the Latvian people welcomed us warmly and hospitably. The first steps in a foreign country are always (not) a little nervous, but here we felt at home. Our stay here started well: from polite smiles to being ready to help at any moment.

What about cultural exchange? How about Ukrainian borscht with lard and doughnuts? Our new friends from Georgia, Latvia, Armenia and Kazakhstan tasted these dishes for the first time during the cultural evening. The atmosphere was warm, as if we had all known each other for a long time.

So how does it work? Academic mobility is not only an opportunity to gain new knowledge and experience in educational institutions of other countries. It is also a chance to deepen the understanding of the world through communication with different cultures. So if you are still contemplating whether you should try mobility or not, let me tell you one thing: it’s a great way to get to know other cultures!

We are grateful to Bohdan Khmelnytsky National University of Cherkasy for such a wonderful opportunity to participate in the academic mobility programme.