European Union’s new Erasmus+ programme offers even better opportunities to organize international mobility periods than before. The funding received in the next seven years will help the development of international mobility activities at Sataedu.
Earlier in the programme period Sataedu received the Erasmus+ accreditation, which makes it possible to offer systematical and strategic mobility periods.
– The accreditation proves that we are committed to the quality standards of the Erasmus programme. That and the funding possibilities offered by the new programme period make it easier to plan and implement both student and staff mobility periods, says the Head of International Affairs Marko Kemppinen.
During the new programme period the students will also receive extra funding since the amount for individual support increases. Previously a mobility period lasted for five weeks, but now it lasts only four weeks.
– One month is a suitable time for most students to spend on a mobility period. Alongside that, ErasmusPro enables long-term mobility periods, giving students a chance to complete a study unit abroad. We also have a chance to use funding for preparatory visits to the destination when it comes to long-term mobilities, and this way we can ensure the quality of the mobility period’s implementation.
Safety and Responsibility More Important than Ever
General uncertainty, especially among students, slows down the planning of future mobility periods.
The first coaching day for international mobility periods was in May, and five students participated in the coaching session. The small number of participants is understandable, since due to the challenging Covid-19 situation, thinking about travelling abroad in the spring must have been daunting for the students.
– Some of our partners have already asked about a possibility to send their students to us for their mobility periods, and some of our partners are already quite active with their mobilities. However, we wish to keep a calm eye on the situation and ensure that the mobilities will be safe and successful. The next coaching day will be in September. If the situation with Covid-19 is better and stable, we can begin organizing mobility periods in October, says Marko Kemppinen.
Smooth, Carbon Offset Flights
The environment and sustainable travelling are emphasized in the new Erasmus+ programme period. The programme encourages the use of environmentally friendly travel methods and the offsetting of flight emissions.
– Finland’s location limits our environmental actions. Whereas our partners in Central Europe can travel by train to most of their partner countries, for us the best method for travelling is by plane. Our partners understand this completely. It would be extremely challenging to send a young person, who might not have much experience with travelling, on a journey that could possibly require multiple train or ship trips. Therefore flying is our primary method of transportation, and we will get extra funding for offsetting these flights.