Finnish exchange: This is how TU Braunschweig inspires Erasmus+!

Finnish exchange: This is how TU Braunschweig inspires Erasmus+!

On October 1, 2025, an employee of the TU Braunschweig decided to complete a stay abroad as part of the Erasmus+ Staff Mobility program. Her motivation was based on a strong interest in intercultural communication and the work processes at partner universities. The stay took place at the TU Braunschweig in the enrollment office and included participation in a staff week at Tampere University in Finland.

Organizing the stay turned out to be uncomplicated, thanks to numerous helpful tips from colleagues at TU Braunschweig and the well-structured Staff Week. The main topic this week was sustainability in higher education, an area that is gaining importance and which also spoke to the participant's personal and professional interests.

Experiences in Finland

During her stay in Tampere, the employee lived in an apartment on the 13th floor, which was within walking distance of the train station and the university and offered a beautiful view. Everyday work was characterized by flat hierarchies and a pleasant first name approach. In her free time, she enjoyed the Finnish sauna, long walks and eating at local restaurants. However, choosing food proved to be challenging as she was allergic and had difficulty finding suitable options.

The country's typical specialties included Finnish donuts and Finnish licorice, known all over the world, which she chose as a souvenir. The openness and helpfulness of the Finns left a positive impression. A humorous experience was the unusual seating arrangement in a restaurant, which led to a sociable exchange with the locals.

The experience gained from the stay abroad led to a noticeable improvement in their daily work through international knowledge. She herself described the trip as personally enriching, especially through the insights into the topics of sustainability at universities and intercultural exchange.

Supportive programs and recommendations

The Erasmus+ program offers a wide range of mobility opportunities for both students and university staff. The aim is to support physical and hybrid mobilities in all study areas and cycles. Participants can study at partner universities or do internships in relevant jobs abroad. The support includes organizational and travel costs as well as inclusion support to ensure that participants with fewer opportunities can also benefit from these programs ( erasmus-plus.ec.europa.eu ).

The employee gave some valuable tips for future stays abroad: using the contact with colleagues, booking an apartment instead of a hotel, learning the local language and preparing well. A personal highlight was the international market, where local culinary delicacies and interesting conversations awaited them. Finally, she recommended sleep masks for the short nights in Finland, as brightness during the day is often a challenge.

In conclusion, it should be noted that such international mobility projects not only contribute to the creation of a European Education Area, but also strengthen the connection between education and research and promote employability and social inclusion. Engaging in programs like Erasmus+ not only deepens knowledge, but also enriches the personal perspectives of participants.