This week, Kauno kolegija Alytus faculty is alive with international activities, as it hosts two concurrent Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programmes (BIP), bringing together forty students from universities in Latvia and Poland, lecturers from abroad, and the community of Kauno kolegija HEI. The programmes – “Green Tourism: Heritage, Natural Resources, and Innovations” and “Overcoming Cultural Issues in Patient Care: A Transcultural Nursing Approach” – physically began on 5 May, following a successful remote learning week held from 28 April to 2 May. During this time, students explored the foundational content through virtual lectures and group work.
The real experience, however, began on 5 May, when greetings in various languages echoed through the lecture halls of the Alytus faculty, and the city became a kind of international laboratory – a space where ideas are created, challenges debated, and learning takes place from both, the surroundings, and one another. The programme participants not only attend lectures but also travel – exploring the region and taking part in educational activities at farms, sanatoriums, and hospitals, where sustainability and cultural sensitivity are more than theoretical concepts – they are lived through daily practices.
Some students are developing sustainable tourism services, analysing how natural resources can give rise to responsible businesses. Others are visiting healthcare institutions, learning how cultural differences impact patient care, communication, and the quality of nursing.
The programmes are further enriched by the presence of Dr. Bin Zhang, an associate professor from Kanagawa University in Japan, who is currently delivering lectures at the faculty under the national programme for invited lecturers. Dr. Zhang, a specialist in artificial intelligence, robotics, and smart technologies, is actively involved in the BIP activities – sharing insights into cultural differences and developments in inclusive technology, robotic care, and AI-based solutions in childcare and education. His contributions add a distinctive dimension to the BIP environment, where different cultures meet, and technology, hands-on practice, and empathy come together.
Kauno kolegija, one of the most active higher education institutions in Lithuania, once again demonstrates its ability not only to organise international initiatives but also to align academic content with regional cultures, natural resources, international expertise, and social partners. The staff at the Alytus faculty – lecturers, coordinators, and administrators – showcase the strong teamwork that is highly nurtured in Kauno kolegija HEI, managing multiple international initiatives simultaneously. They are creating not just a learning environment but a practice-oriented, experiential space where students learn through action, exploration, communication, and collaboration – reinforcing the role of Kauno kolegija HEI as a higher education institution that promotes international experience in the region.
At the end of the week, participants will present their projects, reflect on their experiences, take part in cultural exchanges, and receive certificates. More importantly, they will gain knowledge, boosted confidence, new connections, and valuable practical experience.
These Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programmes are funded by the European Union. However, the views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.
  
Comments