By Anna Kuczborska, Communications Officer, NCU Department of Promotion and Communication
A virtual component with a physical trip to deepen knowledge while gaining experience in an international environment is what you get during Blended Intensive Programmes funded by Erasmus +. One, coordinated by Nicolaus Copernicus University (NCU) and focused on migration law, has just started.
– I decided to take part in BIP, because of the topics related to labour legislation, which I am particularly interested in – says Katarzyna Molesztak, a 3rd-year law student from NCU who participates in a programme called National and European law in the context of migration: a comparative study and international practice and experiences implemented at the Legal Clinics. However, it’s not the only factor, as NCU student adds – also the opportunity to develop language skills was the reason I decided to join. These are the advantages of BIP that students find so appealing. They focus on specific themes, are held in international settings, and even though they are intensive, they require less time that common exchange. Moreover, in this short period of time, participants interact with a number of foreign universities at once.
This BIP is organised together with three partner universities, two of the partners are also members of the European alliance NCU is in – Young Universities for the Future of Europe (funded by Erasmus+). The third one is Vytautas Magnus University from Kaunas in Lithuania. The programme is implemented as a part of the YUFE International Legal Clinics Network initiative and is dedicated to law students. This isn’t the first BIP NCU has organised since joining YUFE, but it is the first on migration law topic. The network of legal clinics was established to strengthen cooperation between them and, therefore, enhance students’ knowledge in the legal-comparative field. Working groups in this BIP will compile legal information from crucial spheres of society, increasing citizens’ awareness, all while boosting international teamwork skills.
The virtual part ended on May 15th, and the physical component is planned in Toruń, Poland, in July. During online meetings, each clinic was supposed to give a presentation on the topic of migrant crisis and human rights. – Each presentation was really intriguing. I was particularly interested in the one on the system calculating the length of service and the amount of pension based on employment in different EU countries, as well as in the presentation on the behaviour that may constitute abuse of an employee in Croatia. Also, the organisation of this part was very good, according to an NCU student Katarzyna. – I think that the physical part will bring even more openness and ease of establishing discussions about the issue raised in the project, but also on other topics, because it is just easier to talk to someone live than through a computer. It will also be a great opportunity to make new friends and learn about new cultures, which is also a very educational experience.
Programmes like this are a convenient solution for students who care for international addition to their studies but simply can’t go for long-term mobility. However, it is not only students who benefit, as also academics get new experiences, and running institutions get a great chance of showcasing their qualities. The connections that are being made during short-term mobilities can be for life. Moreover, some of the participants, in the long run, can be persuaded to continue their future education in a new place. BIPs are smart and flexible, just as this new generation of learners is.
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Photocredit: © envatoelements
