Students and lecturers from the Department of German Studies at the Faculty of Arts, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice, doc. PaedDr. Ingrid Puchalová, PhD., and Mgr. Alexandra Popovičová, PhD., participated in short Erasmus exchange visits in April and May as part of the BIP (Blended Intensive Programme). This initiative connected our university with the University of Warsaw and the University College of Teacher Education Tyrol in Innsbruck. The aim was to explore the values of freedom and democracy through history, culture, and language education.
Thanks to the rich program, we had the opportunity to visit Innsbruck in April together with our Austrian and Polish partners. The visit included a city tour, visits to local museums and churches, an excursion to the nearby town of Hall in Tyrol, and various seminars focused on language didactics and intercultural studies. Highlights of the visit included a “dumpling” workshop introducing us to Tyrolean cuisine, the panoramic museum Tyrol Panorama, and the iconic Bergisel site offering a breathtaking view of the city. Evenings were dedicated to social activities such as pub quizzes and themed discussions.
In May, we continued our journey in Poland, visiting the cities of Gdynia, Gdańsk, and Warsaw. The program focused on the historical events of these cities and their significance today. In Gdynia, we visited the City Museum and enjoyed a walk along the promenade by the Baltic Sea. In Gdańsk, we explored the Museum of the Second World War, the European Solidarity Centre, and other parts of the city, including Sopot, Oliwa, and the memorial site Westerplatte. In Warsaw, we toured both the old and new parts of the town and enjoyed panoramic views from the Palace of Culture and Science. We also participated in workshops and seminars on democracy and the current political situation.
These exchange programs allowed us to improve our language skills and discover new places, as well as gain a deeper understanding of the importance of democracy and reflect on significant historical events in today’s world. We want to thank all the organizers and partners for their efforts and the inspiration they gave us during these unforgettable days.
Text: Bc. Františka Sviatková
Teaching of German Language and Literature and English Language and Literature
Faculty of Arts, UPJŠ in Košice
