To our collegues from partner universities of the new Erasmus+ KA1 International Credit Mobilities, we would like to extend a warm welcome to the University of Poitiers!
Licia Bagini (Vice President of international relations at the University of Poitiers) and the International Relations Office welcomed the first colleagues of this program. They are from Kazakhstan.
Saltanat Kaldybayeva and Nelly Asmatullayeva spent one week in Poitiers (from March 6th to March 12th 2016). They used this time to meet and make connections with the people at the International Relations Office. They also visited the MSHS and, with the supervisors of the International Relations Office, visited the colleges of Humanities and Fundamental Sciences
Saltanat has taken on, for several months, the responsibility of answering questions about the Bologna process at Atyrau State University. This university is multidisciplinary.
Nelly Asmatullayeva is in charge of international relations services at the Ablai Khan University in Almaty. This university is among those with a reputation for their translation, language, and international relations departments.
L.B. : “Is this the first time you’ve visited France?”
Nelly and Saltanat : “Yes.”
L.B. : “What are your thoughts on this European mobility program? Is this the first time you’ve used it?”
Nelly : “Personally, this is the first time I’ve participated in this kind of program, but I have organised international programs for my university.
It’s a very enriching experience for the students, the professors, and the international relations staff involved and I encourage everyone at my university to participate in mobilities with european universities.”
Saltanat : “Yes. It’s an opportunity for my professional career within the International Relations Office: it’s very interesting.”
L.B. : “What are your thoughts on the meetings you had with some of the University of Poitiers colleagues?”
Nelly : ”As international relations responsible, I learned about the organisation of the International Relations Office. I talked to staff at the office and I collected some great techniques, specifically in organisation of the office. In the future, I will be able to apply these practices at my university. It has been a lot of information to organise and digest in one week.
Everyone was very accommodating.”
Saltanat : “In the same way, I was able to discover new work practices that will be useful in my administrative work.”
L.B. : “What are some differences between the University of Poitiers and your university?”
Nelly : “The University of Poitiers is five times bigger than our university, particularly the campus. Your auditoriums and classrooms are well equipped. Here, the students and the professors seem more relaxed than in Kazakhstan, where we’re a bit more formal.
Saltanat : “Also, within the International Relations Office, the employees seem to have a strong bond, which is a great advantage for the team.”
L.B. : “What are your thoughts on the city of Poitiers? What did you like about it?”
Nelly : “The city is wonderful. The river, the cathedral, the old buildings, the small pathways.”
Saltanat : “The Sainte-Croix museum and its expositions »
Nelly : “The city is very calm and quiet. It’s nice for children and students that have to study.”
L.B : “Have you encountered any difficulties during your stay?”
Nelly : “No, but I would have preferred being more comfortable in my French skills.”
L.B. : “What is your favorite part of French cuisine?”
Nelly : “The bread!”
Saltanat : “The cheese!”
L.B. : ”What are your thoughts on the preparation of your mobility?”
Nelly : “It’s very easy. The Mobility Kit allowed us to easily understand what was expected of us, how the program is organized, and the fees we would have to pay. European financing is sufficient for covering these fees.”
L.B. : “How are you finishing your mobility?”
Nelly et Saltanat : “Tomorrow, on our way back to Kazakhstan, we will have a few hours to discover Paris”
L.B. : “What are you going to talk about with your colleagues when you go back?”
Nelly : “Despite my halting French, everyone in Poitiers accommodated me by listening carefully and talking slowly. That doesn’t happen in every country!
That’s one of the reasons why I want the students of Ablai Khan to come to Poitiers, including those who are in their first year and are often very shy.
I’m going to see the president of my university, the dean of my college, and I’m going to talk to them about summer programs.
I’m going to organise the selection of students to go to Poitiers: it’s really important to choose students who speak French well.”
Saltanat : “I will bring back some new work practices for the team and for organisation.”
Nelly et Saltanat : “This has been an amazing experience. We hope to welcome people from the University of Poitiers in our universities in the future.”
L.B. : “I am happy to announce that staff of the University of Poitiers have been selected to participate in teaching and education mobilities in your universities before the end of the year. Soon, we will select the students that have applied to spend a semester at our university. This european program allows us to reinforce the relationship between our universities and to anticipate new projects together in the future.”
