Students from Banja Luka at Bialystok University of Technology – sport, science and nature in the spirit of ACROSS

Eight students, four study programmes, one shared idea – discovering the world through education and international cooperation. Students from the University of Banja Luka (Bosnia and Herzegovina) visited Bialystok University of Technology as part of the European ACROSS project, whose goal is to build a shared educational space based on European values and cooperation between universities from different countries.

The eight-person Bosnian group included students of forestry, environmental protection, physical education and psychology – representing diverse disciplines but united by a common interest in education, the environment, and the exchange of experiences in an international setting.

During their week-long visit, the young people from Bosnia took part in the BUT CUP Football Tournament, organised by the International Relations Offices of Bialystok University of Technology. The sporting competition proved to be a great opportunity to connect with the international academic community. – People here were very open and friendly. It helped me develop my communication skills and feel at home – said Aleksy Seizović, a forestry student from Banja Luka.

The Bosnian guests also participated in the 14th International Staff Week, held on 9–13 June this year as part of the Erasmus+ programme. The initiative, organised by the Mobility and International Agreements Unit of BUT, brought together representatives of universities from four continents – including Albania, Egypt, Nepal, Tunisia, Zimbabwe, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. The students from Banja Luka took part in the presentation of their university during the ‘Cultural Stands’ at the Centre for Modern Education – sharing information about their university, talking with BUT students and… offering Balkan culinary specialties.

But football and presentations were not the end of their visit. The highlight was a study trip to Silvarium in Poczopek. The field trip was organised by the Environmental Management Student Scientific Association and the Forestry Scientific Association. Polish and Bosnian students jointly explored issues related to forest ecology, learned about the region’s flora and fauna, and discovered methods of wild bird rehabilitation.

– We take students to the most valuable natural areas in north-eastern Poland – we show them forests, herbariums, bird rehabilitation centres, and we teach through experience – explained Karolina Gabrysiak, MSc Eng, group supervisor and assistant at the Institute of Forest Sciences. As she added, the exchange with the University of Banja Luka is an opportunity to compare habitat conditions and educational methods in forestry. – The species are similar, but the approaches differ. This is an opportunity for mutual inspiration.

The Bosnian participants expressed great enthusiasm. – I really liked the concept of lifelong learning – this approach motivates me to continue developing – said Aleksy. – I also really like the fact that everything at the university is in one place, the campus is compact and student-friendly – added Tatjana Sabljić, a forestry student who said she would gladly return to Bialystok under the Erasmus programme. – Wherever I go, I always end up in the centre. This city is just very convenient for students.

by aj

 
The visit of the students was financed from ‘Across – Transborder European University’ project. The project is funded by the European Union from the European Funds for Social Development 2021–2027 (FERS) under the NAWA project entitled ‘Support for European Universities Alliances’, number FERS.01.05-IP.08-0219/23.

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