From 31 March to 4 April 2025, Alla Krasulia, Head of the International Affairs Department at Sumy State University, took part in the XIV International Staff Week, hosted by the University of Almería, Spain. The event brought together representatives of higher education institutions from across the European Union, Latin America, the Balkans, and Armenia, creating a dynamic platform for meaningful exchange, networking, and development of inter-institutional cooperation.

The programme was designed in line with the priorities of the current phase of the Erasmus+ Programme (2021–2027) and featured a rich mix of hands-on workshops, thematic sessions, and panel discussions. A special focus was placed on the management of international academic projects across several key Erasmus+ actions:

• KA1: International Credit Mobility — sessions explored practical aspects of project implementation, including internal management processes, common challenges, best practices, and the use of digital administrative tools (Beneficiary Module, Online Learning Agreement);
• Blended Intensive Programmes (BIP) — participants discussed the integration of blended mobility formats into institutional curricula and strategies;
• KA2: Capacity Building and Cooperation for Innovation and Exchange of Good Practices — perspectives were shared on fostering interregional partnerships in the context of digital transformation in higher education;
• COIL (Collaborative Online International Learning) — examples were presented on implementing virtual mobility, especially relevant for universities with limited access to physical mobility, such as those operating under the conditions of Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine.

Additional value was brought by thematic sessions addressing cultural diversity as a challenge in managing internationalised universities, featuring contributions from:

• Diego Mellado Pascua, EU Ambassador to Algeria;
• María Dolores Martínez Pomet, Head of the KA1 Department at the Spanish National Erasmus+ Agency (SEPIE);
• Sagrario Salaberri Ramiro, former Vice-Rector for Internationalisation at the University of Almería;
• José Ignacio Jiménez González, Vice-Rector for Internationalisation at the University of Jaén.

Another important event was the “Mobility Through Students’ Eyes” discussion panel, where participants shared personal experiences within the Erasmus+ framework.

According to Alla Krasulia, the event provided an excellent opportunity to strengthen professional ties and expand the geographical scope of future collaborations: “It was an incredibly productive week, filled with professional meetings, vibrant networking, and meaningful exchange of expertise. We had the chance to discuss the potential for joint applications under KA1, particularly BIP initiatives, COIL-based virtual mobility projects, and new inter-institutional agreements.”

A particularly memorable highlight was the Festival of Nations: International Students Fair, held on April 4 on the University of Almería campus. Students from different countries showcased their cultures through interactive booths, traditional dances and music, games, and national dishes.

“I was genuinely happy to meet students from Ukraine among the participants, especially Alina Shyyan and Karina Kuznetsova, two students from SSU’s Department of Germanic Philology, whom we nominated for academic mobility this semester. It was a warm and emotional encounter — they represented Ukrainian culture with dignity, and I felt proud of our young, bright, and globally minded students,” noted Alla.

In addition to the academic programme, participants had a chance to explore the infrastructure of the University of Almería and join several cultural activities, including visits to the Cabo de Gata Natural Park, the picturesque Nijar Village, an Andalusian flamenco show, and a formal dinner featuring traditional regional cuisine.

Summing up her experience, Alla Krasulia stated: “This visit once again confirmed the importance of maintaining an active international presence for SSU in the global academic arena. Events like these not only open up new avenues of cooperation but also inspire continued development. I wish us all good health, strength, and resilience in these challenging times — especially for the people of Sumy. And above all, we are hoping for a just peace and lasting stability in our cities.”