Cultural encounters in Erasmus+: Vechta students in Finland!

Cultural encounters in Erasmus+: Vechta students in Finland!

Students at the University of Vechta had the opportunity to take part in an Erasmus+-funded Blended Intensive Program (BIP) in Kuopio, Finland. This international module is organized by at least three universities from different Erasmus+ program countries and combines physical and virtual teaching offerings. The stay took place under the direction of Prof. Dr. Oliver Schöndube and the lecturers Gertrud Arlinghaus and Magnus Frampton and was coordinated by Hanna Turunen from the Savonia University of Applied Sciences. This year the theme of the event was “Social and Cultural Wellbeing”.

The participants had the opportunity to attend various workshops on music, movement & dance, visual arts and writing. The students came from various institutions, including the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna, the Vilnius University Šiauliai Academy and other German and Finnish institutions. Prof. Dr. Oliver Schöndube expressed his enthusiasm and emphasized that the interdisciplinary encounter was an enriching experience.

Positive experiences and intercultural exchange

The students reported on their positive experiences during the program. For example, the participant Janna Krethe was able to act freely in a “safe space”. Your fellow student Malte Thölking plans to use the experiences and methods he has gained in his future primary school practice. Immo Groeneveld also emphasized the importance of intercultural exchange and the change of perspective, which is essential for a pluralistic society.

The GDP in Finland is not the first of its kind. Similar international modules took place in Vechta in 2023 and 2024 and are scheduled to return to Germany in May 2026. An art workshop led by Naomi Zouwer and Duncan Driver from the University of Canberra rounded off the program. Research on the topic of “Cultural Well-Being” was published by Turunen, Frampton and Schöndube in the journal *The European Journal of Social Work*.

Erasmus+ and Blended Intensive Programs

The blended intensive programs, like the one in Finland, are part of the Erasmus+ offer and offer a combination of virtual teaching concepts and short, financially supported stays abroad. Students therefore have the opportunity to acquire ECTS and expand their intercultural skills. The framework conditions provide for physical mobility of 5 to 30 days. Participation is possible for both students and university staff, although cooperation between at least three universities from different Erasmus+ program countries is a prerequisite.

In order to organize a BIP, certain requirements must be met, such as compliance with the deadlines for applications for participation and funding. At RWTH Aachen, for example, up to five students per BIP can receive funding for a maximum of five days of stay. The funding is 79 euros per day, with additional subsidies for students with special needs.

The Erasmus+ program generation 2021-2027 continues to promote the development of short, intensive and common curricula that are to be integrated into the educational offerings of the cooperating universities. These programs include both the physical and the virtual phase and serve for efficient preparation and follow-up of the mobility offers. Participation in such programs has been encouraged and supported, especially since the 2024 call, where the minimum number of participants was reduced to 10.

The positive feedback from students and the rich diversity of the workshops illustrate the value of such programs, which promote not only professional but also personal skills.