The exchange program included a language internship under the framework of the “English Language Courses with Elements of Sustainable Development Vocabulary” initiative (part of the NAWA project) and took place over one academic week in September. Among the participants were Polina Vasiuk, a student in the fourth year, Solomiia Perepechai, a student in the third year, and Kateryna Barandych, an Associate Professor, all representing the Faculty of Instrumentation Engineering at Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute.
Polina Vasiuk remarked that the opportunity had taken her by surprise, as she had applied for the program just a week prior when additional enrollment was announced. This spontaneous decision, however, proved to be a highly rewarding experience for her.
The classes were held in person, which felt somewhat unfamiliar and challenging to the participants. Additionally, everything was conducted in English — a format that, while not entirely new, felt like an exciting experiment to their minds. The instructors, she noted, were incredibly supportive, answering all questions patiently, no matter how often they were asked. Interestingly, she and her colleagues found themselves to be the youngest participants, which at times felt awkward. It seemed the program catered more to master’s students and educators. Nonetheless, the experience was deeply rewarding, and they were elated with their success.
During the program, they worked in pairs on assignments, developed presentations, defended projects, played games such as Bingo and Crocodile, solved crossword puzzles, and engaged in various exercises. The course itself was centered on sustainable development, a subject of critical importance for Ukraine. At the end of the internship, participants were tasked with creating final projects based on the material they had absorbed throughout the week. Polina appreciated that, thanks to the solid foundation provided by their university’s educational program, they already possessed some of the necessary knowledge, which proved to be of great use — crediting their teachers for this advantage.
Outside of their studies, the group enjoyed extracurricular activities, including a tour of the campus and the beautiful city of Warsaw, a boat ride, and numerous positive and memorable experiences.
Reflecting on the entire experience, Polina Vasiuk felt a deep sense of motivation. Being immersed in a foreign university environment, where her knowledge opened doors to the wider world, was a profound reminder of the power of education. She is grateful to the Academic Mobility Office at Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute for making this opportunity possible and supporting them throughout the process. “I am thankful to life itself for granting me such happy moments, especially at this challenging time Ukraine is facing,” she said.
Source: https://www.kpi.ua/2024-kp33-pbf