Guest at Sharing Excellence Days in Turku

In addition to many other destinations, outgoing students from Kufstein University have also been spending time abroad at Turku University of Applied Sciences for many years. Now Anja Kaufmann, MSc from the International Relations Office was able to get to know the partner university and Finland's oldest city personally during the Staff Mobility from June 10 to 13, 2024. Various workshops also invited participants to exchange best practices with colleagues from all over Europe.

VARIED PROGRAM

At the beginning of the staff mobility, ice-breaker activities provided good opportunities to talk to colleagues from the different universities and departments. There was also plenty of time to get to know the participating employees of Turku University of Applied Sciences and their areas of responsibility. As part of a campus tour, the participants were able to get to know the higher education institution and its facilities better. Various topics were discussed in workshops. These included how international students can best be integrated at the universities and what contribution the higher education institution can make to ensure successful subsequent integration into the local job market. The exchange on increasing the well-being of (international) students and employees with the help of artificial intelligence was also a topic. “During these workshops, it was very interesting to see that many higher education institutions in Europe are basically dealing with the same issues, regardless of their size and location. It is therefore very valuable to exchange ideas on these topics and learn from each other,” summarizes Anja Kaufmann. The Staff Mobility program was culturally rounded off with an excursion to the Ruissalo peninsula and a guided tour of the city.

Täl pual jokke oder Tois pual jokke?

On this side of the river? or On the other side of the river? But which side is which? The inhabitants of Turku have probably never quite agreed on this, which is why it's a typical joke in this city. Both sides of the Aurajoki River, which runs through the middle of Turku, definitely have a lot to offer. The countless bridges and the 120-year-old Föri ferry take pedestrians from one side of the river to the other free of charge. The river ends at a harbor that allows a crossing to Stockholm. Another special feature of the city are the many (semi-)islands, which are all connected by bridges or ferries. “If I were a student again, I could definitely see myself spending not just a few days, but also a longer period of study in this city and at Turku University of Applied Sciences,” reports Anja Kaufmann.