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Testimonials from Administrative Staff
What was your favourite place during your mobility?
My favorite place during my stay in Madrid was the Plaza de la Armería next to the Royal Palace of Madrid. We ended our walking tour of Madrid there. The sun was setting, there was music playing, families with kids who were running around and playing catch, friends hanging out. I loved this place and returned to it a couple of times during my evening walks.
What did you enjoy most about your mobility experience?
I truly appreciate the chance I had to exchange ideas and best-practices with alliance colleagues who work in similar projects and/or areas.
What surprised you about your host country or university?
It wasn’t a surprise because I was anticipating it already. Everyone we met was very hospitable and warm.
Lecturer’s perspective
As the instructor of the “Teaching Culture in the FL Classrooms” course within the EUPeace Virtual European Exchange Programme, I had the privilege of welcoming a student from the University of Giessen into my class, which included a diverse group of students from various cultural backgrounds in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
One of the most rewarding aspects I observed was how the addition of the VEEP student enriched the teaching environment. […]
By the end of the course, the students demonstrated increased confidence in creating inclusive, culturally sensitive learning environments and applying strategies that celebrate and respect diversity. […]
Teaching this course reaffirmed my belief in the transformative power of cultural education, and I am confident that the skills and insights the students gained will enable them to further foster curiosity, awareness, and empathy in their own classrooms.
Based on my experience, I strongly recommend to all instructors to consider offering their courses to international students within the VEEP scheme.
What was your favourite place during your mobility?
The Yellow Fortress in Sarajevo: A beautiful view over the city, very picturesque, and a man proposed to his future wife right next to us (she said “yes”).
What did you enjoy most about your mobility experience?
Meeting our colleagues in person, discussing and clarifying our topics together, learning about BiH history and culture, especially in Sarajevo and Mostar.
What surprised you about your host country or university?
I was not surprised, but the hospitality and friendliness of every single person we have met during our stay was extraordinary and very welcoming.
Any advice for future mobility students?
If you have a personal contact in BiH, let them show you their country! Our former exchange student showed us her Sarajevo, it was the best day!
What was your favourite place during your mobility?
Since the days were quite hot, I thoroughly enjoyed taking walks in the early morning, giving myself time to reflect on the previous day’s experiences.
What did you enjoy most about your mobility experience?
I was so happy to connect with colleagues from other universities. Even more wonderful was seeing how the students formed friendships that crossed borders.
What surprised you about your host country or university?
In Germany, academic titles and status still play a significant role. Here, however, I felt they were entirely irrelevant. Until the very end, I couldn’t tell who was a professor, a junior researcher, or a staff member. Everyone felt equally responsible for our collective success.
Any advice for colleagues considering a mobility opportunity?
There is nothing more valuable than personal contact if we want to experience Europe and work together toward building a shared Europe.
What was your favourite place during your mobility?
I really enjoyed Pilsen’s historic city centre, especially spending some time there after the sessions. Walking around the main square, having conversations outside the formal programme, and simply experiencing the city together made the whole week feel much more personal and memorable.
What did you enjoy most about your mobility experience?
I especially enjoyed meeting colleagues from across the EUPeace network who came from very different disciplines and teaching contexts. The exchange of perspectives was probably the most valuable part for me, because it showed how differently international and transdisciplinary teaching can be approached. I came away with several ideas that I could directly connect to my own seminars and future teaching.
What surprised you about your host country or university?
I was impressed by the scale and diversity of the University of West Bohemia. The campus brings together a wide range of departments, research areas and facilities, and it was interesting to get a sense of the broader academic environment beyond the programme itself.
Any advice for colleagues considering a mobility opportunity?
Go for it with an open mind and make the most of the conversations beyond the formal programme as well. Some of the most valuable ideas and connections often come from those informal moments.
What was your favourite place during your mobility?
My favourite place during the mobility was the hills and nature around Pilsen that we saw during our hike. It was part of our programme to do a “hike and talk”. The trail was really varied, and we had a great teambuilding experience wandering through nature while discussing the buddy system.
What did you enjoy most about your mobility experience?
I truly enjoyed the connections I made with my colleagues from the partner universities. We now share a strong bond and can take our work on the buddy system to the next level. Working face-to-face on the project brought up new ideas that we can now try to implement on various scales.
What surprised you about your host country or university?
The campus is incredibly welcoming and vibrant. There are lounge areas all around, communal kitchens to use, and student pubs. It’s really a “lived-in” campus, and I love that!
Any advice for colleagues considering a mobility opportunity?
Don’t hesitate to do it! Find a programme that suits you and go for it. This was already my second mobility within the alliance, and I can truly say that I feel more connected to my colleagues with every encounter!
What was your favourite place during your mobility?
The campus and the lake at Cukurova University were beautiful! I also loved Adana’s streets, restaurants (I highly recommend trying Adana Kebap and Cezerye!) and shops.
What did you enjoy most about your mobility experience?
I truly appreciated the positive and open-minded working atmosphere, which allowed us to learn more about our partners and work together effectively.
What surprised you about your host country or university?
Nothing, as I am already quite familiar with Türkiye.
Any advice for colleagues considering a mobility opportunity?
Enjoy this precious time together! It is a great opportunity to learn many new things, while others will surely learn from you as well.
Three reasons to become mobile:
- Getting to know a new culture
- Networking with colleagues from the host university and with other participants to the International Staff Week
- Develop skills in the field of internationalization
and intercultural communication
Three reasons to become mobile
- To develop intercultural skills
- To know better our home university
- To exchange best practices
Three reasons to become mobile:
- Professional Growth: Develop new skills, enhance your resume, and expand your international network.
- Cultural Enrichment: Broaden your perspective, build resilience, and enjoy unique experiences in a new environment.
- Institutional Impact: Share innovative ideas and strengthen partnerships between universities.
What was your favourite place during your mobility?
The old town.
What did you enjoy most about your mobility experience?
Talking to people from different countries and exchanging experiences in teaching democracy.
What surprised you about your host country or university?
Nothing really, but you usually don’t find German flags in German university buildings. That was different in France.
Any advice for colleagues considering a mobility opportunity?
Try to arrive earlier and/or leave later (at least one extra day) so that you have time to explore the city.
What was your favourite place during your mobility?
Walking through Baščaršija and absorbing the impressions. The team at the University of Sarajevo also organized a city tour for us, which provided very interesting information and historical context.
What did you enjoy most about your mobility experience?
Networking with other international colleagues, expanding my knowledge, and gaining new impressions and ideas.
What surprised you about your host country or university?
I felt very welcome, and it was deeply meaningful for me to experience the EUPeace alliance and its significance through active participation in the program.
Any advice for colleagues considering a mobility opportunity?
I highly recommend taking part in a mobility program: it is a valuable experience that impacts your professional work, expands your international network, and fosters personal growth by broadening your horizons.
Three reasons to become mobile:
- Get out of your comfort zone to make new experiences
- Meet nice people and enhance your network
- Experience a different culture and learn that things can be done in a different wa
What was your favourite place during your mobility?
It was the old city centre and the beautiful Saint-Étienne Cathedral.
What did you enjoy most about your mobility experience?
It was Christmas time, so I loved visiting the Christmas market and the ‘Whispers of Stars’ light show.
What surprised you about your host country or university?
I was surprised by how easy it was to connect with people from different cultural backgrounds. This experience has helped me step outside my comfort zone and see university life from a different perspective.
Any advice for colleagues considering a mobility opportunity?
My advice would be to step out of your comfort zone and take the opportunity.
As a professor at the University of Sarajevo Faculty of Political Sciences, participating in the Virtual European Exchange Programme (VEEP) and the European Track within EUPeace has been an inspiring experience for both my students and me. The course I led Intercultural Education and Cultural Differences provided a unique opportunity to bring together students from different cultural and academic backgrounds, creating a truly international online learning environment. Through dialogue, collaboration, and the exchange of diverse perspectives, students developed a deeper understanding of intercultural competence and the importance of respecting cultural diversity.
The experience strongly reflected the core values of EUPeace, particularly promoting inclusion, mutual understanding, respect, and peaceful cooperation across cultures, as well as the urge to combat various kinds of prejudices. Engaging with students from different European universities enabled participants to move beyond theoretical discussions and experience intercultural learning in practice.
For me as a lecturer, VEEP and the European Track offered valuable opportunities for international collaboration, innovative teaching, and the exchange of good practices with colleagues and students across Europe. For students involved in my class, the added value lies in developing global perspectives, communication skills, intercultural sensitivity, and a greater sense of European citizenship, as well as greater knowledge about Bosnia and Herzegovina and Sarajevo.
I would strongly encourage other lecturers to offer their courses within VEEP and the European Track. These initiatives enhance the international dimension of teaching, create meaningful intercultural encounters, and contribute to preparing young people from various backgrounds and cultures for a strongly connected but increasingly challenged world today.
What was your favourite place during your mobility?
My favourite place was the Zoo du Reynou!
What did you enjoy most about your mobility experience?
Our work paying off with a magnificent event where students from all EUPeace universities produce together.
What surprised you about your host country or university?
I was surprised with the zoo being huge and encountering with the various animals such as polar bear, red panda…
Any advice for colleagues considering a mobility opportunity?
It is truly amazing to see the positive outcomes of our work while collaborating with colleagues from different countries, sharing experiences, and having a great time together along the way.
Being a member of EUPeace’s Governing Board has proven a great intercultural and human experience.
Learnings from the WP2 Meeting in Mostar
- Online Course Incentives Strategies to promote online courses within the European Track.
- VEEP Integration Adapting existing structures (e.g., MO:VE, VIP) for VEEP purposes.
- Micro-Credentials Universities to review existing micro-credentials.
What was your favourite place during your mobility?
I participated in the Teaching Europe Conference in Limoges in December 2025. My favourite place in Limoges was the market hall. I love shopping for French food! We also made a quick stop at Notre-Dame on our way back home.
What did you enjoy most about your mobility experience?
We saw some very interesting theatrical interpretations of children’s stories performed by a deaf artist. We also learned some sign language. It was fun, educational, and definitely a memorable experience!
What surprised you about your host country or university?
How long it took us to get there.
Over the past year, the multilateral collaboration in the EUPeace consortium has fostered a vibrant exchange of ideas and cultures, already enhancing potential for mobility among partner institutions that empower students, faculty, and administrative staff alike.
What was your favourite place during your mobility?
The main square of Pilsen.
What did you enjoy most about your mobility experience?
The discussions with colleagues.
What surprised you about your host country or university?
The high level of new technologies.
Any advice for colleagues considering a mobility opportunity?
Just do it!
What was your favourite place during your mobility?
Stari Most
What did you enjoy most about your mobility experience?
Meeting faculty, staff, students, and partners from around Europe.
What surprised you about your host country or university?
Most striking for me was the campus in Mostar: a city with historical layers and cultural diversity. Mostar offers a vibrant student culture, impressive historical landmarks, and a central location in the region. This combination creates an inspiring environment for research and exchange.
Lecturer’s perspective
Teaching online classes in the frame of the EUPeace programs was a unique experience. Discussing topics of global migration, health, and transnational development with students from different countries, studying at different partner universities was inspiring and enriching. Each student brought a different spatial and social perspective into the seminar, which evolved in fascinating high-quality presentations and discussions. In some cases, they even led to great research ideas and became the basis for a later Master’s or PhD thesis. I really hope I can teach again in this framework, and would recommend it to anyone interested in international and interdisciplinary teaching!
What was your favourite place during your mobility?
Hotel Swan, if I am not mistaken.
What did you enjoy most about your mobility experience?
Sharing experiences and knowledge with colleagues.
What surprised you about your host country or university?
The cleanliness of the city.
What was your favourite place during your mobility?
The old part of Adana and, of course, Cappadocia.
What did you enjoy most about your mobility experience?
Getting to know colleagues from all over the world.
What surprised you about your host country or university?
The warm and welcoming atmosphere.
Any advice for colleagues considering a mobility opportunity?
It’s a wonderful chance to take part in a Staff Week – don’t hesitate!
Why did you choose to take a virtual course at a partner university?
I wanted to improve my English while broadening my horizons by taking a course unrelated to my degree at my home university.
Three reasons why other students should also do a virtual exchange?
1) Get to know a new university with different structures and teaching methods.
2) Improve language skills in English or another European language.
3) Experience multinational exchange with students and lecturers.
What surprised you about your host country or university?
How well or poorly the Spanish Navy dealt with accidents.
Something interesting that you learned about the host country or institution?
How crucial effective crisis communication is in avoiding further damage to your company or organization.
What was your favourite place during your mobility?
Marburg itself! A beautiful university town where history, nature, and academic life come together. I loved walking through its charming streets and feeling that every corner had a story to tell.
What did you enjoy most about your mobility experience?
Definitely the people and the conversations! Sharing ideas with colleagues, meeting students, and discovering new perspectives reminded me that education is not only about teaching — it is also about learning from one another. I came back with new ideas, new connections, and a very happy academic heart!
What surprised you about your host country or university?
How naturally academic discussions turned into meaningful human connections! I was also impressed by how a historic university town like Marburg creates space for fresh ideas, open conversations, and international collaboration. It reminded me that great academic experiences go far beyond the classroom.
Any advice for colleagues considering a mobility opportunity?
Just go for it! Don’t think of mobility as simply visiting another university. Go with an open mind, ask questions, share your ideas, and be ready to step out of your comfort zone. You may arrive with a teaching plan, but you will return with much more — new friendships, fresh perspectives, and ideas you never expected!
What was your favourite place during your mobility?
I have wonderful memories of both cities (Madrid and Pilsen). Despite being a relatively small city, Pilsen impressed me with its excellent public transport system, particularly its tram network. In Madrid, my favourite place was the magnificent Royal Collections Gallery, with its impressive architecture and collections.
What did you enjoy most about your mobility experience?
I participated in two TSA Training Weeks: “European Higher Education in the Age of AI” at Comillas Pontifical University (2025) and “Learning Across Borders: Developing International and Transdisciplinary Online Teaching” at the University of West Bohemia (2026). What I appreciated most was exchanging ideas with colleagues from different universities and disciplines. The AI workshops were particularly valuable, especially a session on effective prompt writing, which significantly improved how I use AI in my research and in designing assignments for my students. Beyond developing new teaching skills, these experiences have opened opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration and lasting friendships.
What surprised you about your host country or university?
I was particularly impressed by the Ladislav Sutnar Faculty of Design and Art at the University of West Bohemia. Its distinctive architecture and creative atmosphere made it one of the most memorable parts of my visit.
Any advice for colleagues considering a mobility opportunity?
I strongly encourage colleagues to participate in TSA activities and share these opportunities with their students. One of my most rewarding experiences was encouraging a hesitant undergraduate student to present her first poster at an online TSA conference. Having gained confidence, she successfully submitted another poster and is now preparing to present it in person at the 2026 EUPeace Teaching Europe Conference in Mostar. For me, this demonstrates how TSA can inspire not only educators but also the next generation of academics.
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