SYNERGIZING TEACHING MOBILITY AND PROFESSIONAL SKILL DEVELOPMENT: THE IMPACT OF ERASMUS+ ON ACADEMIC STAFF – A CASE STUDY OF COLLABORATION BETWEEN LUND UNIVERSITY AND UNIVERSITAT POLITÈCNICA DE VALÈNCIA
M.N. García González1, J.L. Soler-Cabezas2, N. Laguarda Miró2
The Erasmus+ teaching mobility experience between Lund University and Universitat Politècnica de València highlights its benefits for both personal and professional growth. International mobility programs for faculty members offer a unique opportunity to engage with different educational systems, exchange knowledge with colleagues from diverse academic traditions, and enrich both personal and institutional perspectives on teaching and research. Through a scholarship, professors can experience first-hand how their discipline is approached in another country, discovering new pedagogical methodologies, research practices, and institutional structures that can significantly influence their academic and professional development. After all, the role of a professor extends beyond the classroom.
Education systems vary in their approaches to teaching, assessment, and knowledge application. Immersing oneself in a different academic environment such as an ERASMUS+ program encourages professors to enhance their teaching strategies, experiment with innovative techniques, and adapt to new educational models, broadening their perspective of transmitting the knowledge acquired upon returning.
From a more personal perspective, having the chance of teaching abroad not only helps improve teaching methods but also presents individual challenges that make professors step out of their comfort zone by having to explore new teaching environments. Additionally, this type of program enhances motivation by exposing us to fresh ideas and diverse perspectives. The personal enrichment gained through these experiences contributes to a deeper sense of fulfillment and a renewed commitment to academic excellence, which in turn strengthens professional collaboration. The impact of a program like ERASMUS+ is also evident in the collaborative aspect of teaching allowing professors to have the opportunity to strengthen institutional bonds by establishing professional relationships with colleagues, facilitating knowledge exchange, co-teaching opportunities, and collaborative research projects that might benefit both institutions in the future. These experiences often result in long-term partnerships and curriculum development initiatives that contribute to their global advancement of various disciplines. By integrating both the individual and collaborative insights gained during the stay abroad into their teaching, professors can offer students a more comprehensive and globally relevant education, encouraging them to consider international opportunities and broadening their academic and professional horizons.
In conclusion, the ERASMUS+ program is not merely an opportunity for professional enrichment; it serves as a powerful mechanism for academic learning and development at both individual and institutional levels. Perhaps the most rewarding aspect to consider is the personal enrichment gained through this journey. Connecting with like-minded educators from different backgrounds, sharing experiences, and embracing new perspectives reinforces the passion for teaching and research. By immersing themselves in different educational settings, professors not only refine their own methodologies but also actively contribute to the international exchange of knowledge, fostering meaningful collaboration, innovation, and mutual learning as has been stated in the described experience
Keywords: Erasmus+, education, experience, Lund University, Universitat Politècnica de València.