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Mobility of higher education students and staff supported by internal policy funds (KA131-HED) - Coordinator: UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI NAPOLI L'ORIENTALE

2023-1-IT02-KA131-HED-0001368512023Mobility of higher education students and stafffinalized
Countries: IT · Grant: €529,043

Objectives

The University of Naples “L'Orientale” has a long tradition in the study of languages, cultures, and societies of Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas, establishing itself as a research center attentive to the differences and points of contact between cultures. Thanks to the Erasmus+ Program, it has been possible to strengthen the intercultural environment of the University, expanding opportunities for training and exchange. Numerous scientific cooperation and mobility agreements with universities around the world enable the University to offer high-quality education that responds to the global challenges of an interconnected world. The adoption of Erasmus Without Paper and the digitization of agreements have made it possible to verify the actual quality of collaborations, better guiding educational choices. For the 2023/2024 academic year, the main objective of the Erasmus+ KA131 project was to promote the study of non-European languages and cultures within the EU through new interinstitutional agreements. The majority of students at the Orientale University choose Oriental and African languages and cultures, for which international mobility is essential. In the past, however, the Erasmus program did not fully meet their needs, as it focused mainly on Europe. Mobility opportunities were often limited to university funds for overseas calls for applications, with costs sometimes high in relation to the funding available. For this reason, one of the priorities of the Erasmus+ 2023/2024 project was to make the program more attractive to these students as well. The same trend can be observed in the mobility of teaching staff, which has fostered new collaborations in specific disciplinary areas, ensuring high-quality mobility. The Rector's delegate for Erasmus+, a Japanese language teacher, promoted a series of outreach events to highlight the opportunities offered by the program and the importance of considering Erasmus mobility as a springboard for an international career. She also highlighted how it is possible to study non-European languages and cultures in Europe with the same level of quality as in the countries of origin, while benefiting from intercultural and methodological exchange. A significant example is the study of Chinese in France, which allows students to experiment with different approaches and promotes the creation of an international environment in a European context. This enrichment also applies to incoming students: through Learning Agreements, they can access the entire range of courses on offer, choosing subjects that are also related to their culture of origin. This helps to stimulate the interest of their colleagues, promoting mutual understanding and breaking down prejudices. The project has also strengthened the Erasmus community, making students more aware of the opportunities offered by the EU to build a shared European identity. The experiences of studying, teaching, and working, although different, come together in a path that promotes competitiveness and openness in a global context. The Erasmus Traineeship program is particularly important, as it empowers students to independently choose the host institution for their internship. This opportunity has improved the quality of mobility, allowing many students to be selected by prestigious institutions and organizations, with a positive impact on their careers. For students at the Orientale, the Erasmus study experience is often the first step towards mobility for an internship, which is crucial for embarking on a professional career in the host countries. Finally, the effects of the program also extend to indirect beneficiaries—families, friends, and administrative staff—reinforcing the perception of the proximity of European institutions to citizens and making the value of cultural and academic integration tangible.

Project partners (1)