The Erasmus+ blended intensive short programmes, also available at Széchenyi István University, use innovative ways of learning and teaching, so teams of students from different cultures and disciplines can tackle issues such as the UN Sustainable Development Goals and other societal challenges.

"This also provides an opportunity to study abroad and join international programmes for those who, for various reasons, cannot afford to leave home for an extended period of time," emphasized Márta Mészáros, Head of the Mobility and Scholarships Unit in the Centre of International Programmes at Széchenyi István University.

She added that these programmes consist of online preparation followed by a short period spent abroad. A special advantage is that participants can apply for a scholarship for the latter. By completing the programme, young people can not only gain credits and extra knowledge, but also easily build international contacts, as well as broadening their worldview and strengthening their independence and language skills.

"Széchenyi István University and its Erasmus+ partner universities also organise short mobility programmes (Blended Intensive Programmes, BIP), so our students have a wide range of options within the Erasmus+ mobility grant programme. It is worth regularly visiting the website of the Centre of International Programmes, where we regularly publish current applications," emphasised the Head of Department.

The short training programmes offer the chance to discover beautiful countries such as Slovenia…

…or Ireland

Partners from Portugal to the Netherlands

The Regional University Network-European University (RUN-EU) project also offers excellent opportunities, as six foreign partner higher education institutions of Széchenyi István University are participating: the University of Leiria in Portugal, the University of Cavadó-Ave, the Technical University of the Shannon in Ireland, the University of Applied Sciences NHL Stenden in the Netherlands, the University of Applied Sciences HAMK in Finland and the University of Applied Sciences Vorarlberg in Austria.

Co-funded by the European Union's Erasmus+ programme, RUN-EU members aim to innovate and shape the higher education of the future. "With these institutions, in addition to long-term double degrees, we are increasingly setting up short programmes similar to BIPs (so-called SAPs), but with a different organisational and funding structure, for periods of one to eight weeks. In this case, parts of the programmes are conducted online, followed by a one- or two-week trip to the host university," said Réka Kalamár, member of staff of the Centre for International Programmes at Széchenyi István University. She noted that in November, for example, the SAP Who are we? Mapping the identity of the RUN-EU, in which the online part will be organised by Széchenyi István University, while the physical mobility will take participants to Portugal. For more information about the SAPs, please visit https://student.sze.hu/run-eu, while for SAP scholarships, please see https://admissions.sze.hu/sap-scholarship.

Márta Mészáros and Réka Kalamár, staff members of the Centre for International Programmes at Széchenyi István University (Photo: Csaba József Májer)

More of the good stuff: applying again

Dávid Vályi-Nagy, a student of Széchenyi István University, told us that he had the opportunity to attend the first RUN-EU General Assembly in Ireland, and had the chance to get to know the Shannon University of Technology. In the Eco-Innovate Challenge, which he chose, his team was made up of students from all RUN-EU member institutions, allowing him to make many international contacts.

"It was very rewarding to work on a topic that relates to sustainability, which is important to us. On the one hand, it gave me an insight into a current problem in another country, and on the other hand, it also allowed me to expand my professional English vocabulary," said the President of the University Student Committee on Foreign Affairs, recalling his experience. He added that the programme had been so rewarding that he plans to travel again this year as part of RUN-EU. "It's very motivating to get into the rhythm of another country, to learn new professional aspects and to take advantage of the opportunities offered by an international environment," he explained.

Dávid Vályi-Nagy, Chairman of the Student Foreign Affairs Committee of Széchenyi István University (left) at the RUN-EU programme in Ireland.

Enriched with new skills

Ruman Khenchi from India attended a BIP for the first time to complete the IX International Summer School in Logistics, organised by the Faculty of Logistics of the University of Maribor in Slovenia. "I am really happy to have participated in the training. It was an interesting experience to work with students from different universities and disciplines, from different cultures. I also learned a lot by getting a glimpse of the latest changes in logistics technology. I have also gained the ability to improvise and feel more confident," said the student, who is studying for a Master's degree in Supply Chain Management at Széchenyi István University, adding, "I believe the short courses available at Széchenyi University are useful for students because they help them to integrate into new communities and cultures.

At BIP, Ruman Khenchi was able to learn about transportation with drones, gaining an insight into the "new logistics reality".

Applying is easy

All relevant information about the opportunities is available on the Széchenyi University website: information about the current BIPs announced under the regular Erasmus+ mobility scholarship scheme can be found on the ipc.sze.hu website, while information about the SAP short programmes under the University's RUN-EU project can be found at https://admissions.sze.hu.

The good news is that several students can apply together for study and travel abroad, so they can experience the opportunities of international mobility together.

For further details, please contact the Centre for International Programmes (CIP) by e-mail at international@sze.hu. During office hours, CIP colleagues are also available to assist you in person at the first floor office (room 103) in the Administration Building (Győr, Egyetem tér 1.)