One of the micro-modules offered at the ECIU was “Lifestyle Influence on Reproductive Health”, organised by the University of Aveiro (Portugal). Among the participants was Alicja Zielinska, who we talk to about her motivations, experiences and lessons learned from participating in this international project.
The Center for Education at Lodz University of Technology actively collaborates with the European Consortium of Innovative Universities (ECIU) in implementing many international educational projects. Thanks to this cooperation, students can participate in innovative projects based on the Challenge-Based Learning (CBL) method, which promotes an interdisciplinary approach to solving real social and technological problems.
One of such projects was the educational module "Lifestyle Influence on Reproductive Health," organized by the University of Aveiro (Portugal) from May 21 to September 20, 2024. Among the participants was Alicja Zielińska, with whom we talk about her motivations, experiences, and conclusions from participating in this international project.
How did you come across this challenge, and what motivated you to take it on?
A. Zielińska: First and foremost, my motivation was that topics related to women's empowerment are very close to my heart. When I saw this challenge on the ECIU website, I thought it perfectly matched my interests and decided to apply.
Even though it wasn't your main area of study?
A. Zielińska: Exactly. I study Business & Technology at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering. Although our program focuses mainly on production engineering, I believe that topics related to health and social functioning are important for everyone. I concluded that this is an area where I would like to expand my knowledge. I must also admit that I wanted to visit Portugal and see Aveiro. Travel has enormous educational value and cannot be overestimated.
What benefits did you gain from participating in this challenge?
A. Zielińska: I really liked how the project was conducted. We knew exactly at what stage of the CBL method we were. It was also important that I had previously participated in similar educational modules. This was my third challenge. The process of implementing challenges varied depending on the project, but here the key phases were clearly marked, which made the project proceed in an orderly manner. Thanks to this, I got to know the Challenge-Based Learning method better. In our studies, we often carry out projects that require the development of interesting issues, and I am happy to use this method to organize my work and effectively reach various solutions.
Let's talk about the preparations for the trip.
A. Zielińska: Since it wasn't my first trip under the Erasmus+ program for short-term mobility, I knew what documents to prepare and where to submit them. Nevertheless, the guidelines from CWM were very clear, and the document flow was seamless. I was pleasantly surprised that the University of Aveiro sent us the Learning Agreement with all the necessary information and signatures of the responsible persons in advance. This significantly facilitated and accelerated the entire application process, which did not happen in previous challenges I participated in.
How did the teamwork go?
A. Zielińska: I had a rather unusual situation because my original team disbanded due to the resignation of several participants. So I joined another group and finally carried out the project they started. Although I wasn't with them from the beginning, I was quickly introduced to the topic and supported by my new colleagues. I am very satisfied with the results of our cooperation.
Did anything particularly catch your attention while working in an international environment?
A. Zielińska: Yes, it turned out that it was very easy for us to bond while working on a common project. The common topics really brought us together. Outside of university classes, we spent our free time together. All this made us friends, and our contact continued even after the project ended.
You worked on solutions related to fertility prevention. Were the results of this work satisfactory for the challenge participants?
A. Zielińska: First, I will mention that in Aveiro, we had a unique situation related to the threat of fires in the region. We were not sure if the classes would take place; no one could predict that, but as for the organization of the project itself, I have no complaints. Our project addressed the issue of alcohol and its impact on reproductive health. At the end, we presented an educational campaign plan for students. My group was satisfied with the results we managed to achieve, especially since we did a large part of the project on-site in Aveiro after these random disruptions. We managed to complete the project.
What's next after this challenge? Do you plan to participate in other ECIU projects?
A. Zielińska: Definitely yes. I believe it is a great opportunity for development, travelling around Europe, and learning how other universities implement such projects. It is a valuable experience. The most important thing, however, is meeting new people and their knowledge from various fields, which is extremely inspiring for me because I usually operate mainly in the environment of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering. I recommend this type of educational support to anyone who wants to develop their skills and competencies.
Thank you very much for the interview. I wish you success in your future scientific challenges!
Summary
Participation in the ECIU Challenge was not only a valuable educational experience for our student but also an opportunity for international networking and skill development. Her story shows how important it is to take on new challenges and be open to diverse topics that enrich our knowledge and skills. We wish all participants success in upcoming projects and further academic and professional development.
We cordially invite all students to take advantage of the unique educational opportunities offered by the European Consortium of Innovative Universities (ECIU). Participation in various challenges and micro-modules allows you to develop your skills in an interdisciplinary and international environment.
Don't miss the chance for personal, academic, and professional development! Join the ECIU student community and discover new opportunities that can open doors to future success.
Authors: Joanna Miłosz-Bartczak, Izabela Gołacka, Center for Education