Erasmus Visits – Impressions

February 21–24, 2023

The academic fellows of the Department of Early Childhood Care and Education, Anastasia Vatou and Aikaterini Krousorati, participated in the International Week organized by the Artevelde University of Applied Sciences, Bachelor of Preschool Education, in Ghent, Belgium, from February 21 to 24, 2023. Their visit took place as part of a staff mobility activity of the International Hellenic University for teaching and training within the framework of the Erasmus+ Program (KA103) (2022–2023).

During the International Week, Ms. Vatou and Ms. Krousorati delivered a lecture to undergraduate students of the department titled “Learning through play and socio-emotional interactions.” They also had the opportunity to network with lecturers from various European universities and establish collaborations, thereby promoting the international outreach of their department.

April 24–28, 2023 (University College Absalon, Denmark)

Assistant Professor and Erasmus Departmental Coordinator of the Department of Early Childhood Education and Care, Eleni Tympa, participated in a staff training week organized by University College Absalon in Copenhagen, Denmark. The training took place from April 24 to 28, 2023, within the framework of Absalon’s “Children at Risk” program. The visit was part of a staff mobility activity of the International Hellenic University for training under the Erasmus+ Programme (KA103) (2022–2023). During her visit, Dr. Tympa had the opportunity to exchange good educational practices, engage with faculty and researchers from the host institution and other visiting European universities, and expand the university’s network of academic collaborations—thus actively contributing to the international outreach of her department and institution.

September 26–30, 2023 (Universidad del Atlántico Medio, Canary Islands, Spain)

Assistant Professor and Erasmus Departmental Coordinator of the Department of Early Childhood Education and Care, Eleni Tympa, participated in the International Week organized by Universidad del Atlántico Medio, held in the Canary Islands, Spain. The International Week took place from September 26 to 30, 2023, as part of a staff mobility activity of the International Hellenic University for teaching and training under the Erasmus+ Programme (KA103) (2022–2023). During the International Week, Ms. Tympa presented the University and the Department, including the courses offered to incoming Erasmus students, to all invited professors from other universities. On the following day, she delivered a lecture to visiting professors and both undergraduate and postgraduate students titled:
“Children’s Vocabulary Development through the ‘Let’s Play & Talk’ Intervention.” She also had the opportunity to connect with faculty members from other departments abroad, as well as Erasmus coordinators from various European universities. Through these exchanges and new agreements, she actively contributed to the international outreach and networking efforts of her Department.

April 15–19, 2024 (UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø)

The Laboratory Teaching Staff (EDIP) member of the Department of Early Childhood Education and Care, Eleni Zisopoulou, attended courses and activities at the Faculty of Humanities, Social Sciences and Teacher Education / Department of Education at UiT The Arctic University of Norway, in Tromsø, Norway. The training took place from April 15 to 19, 2024, as part of the Outdoor Education courses offered by UiT. The visit was carried out under a staff mobility activity of the International Hellenic University for training purposes, within the framework of the Erasmus+ Programme (KA103) (2023–2024). During her visit, Ms. Zisopoulou had the opportunity to attend classes and activities both at the university and at local early childhood centers. She exchanged best practices, engaged with faculty and researchers from the host institution, and broadened her network of academic collaborations — actively contributing to the internationalization efforts of her home university.

May 4–8, 2025 (University of Osijek, Croatia)

Assistant Professor of the Department of Early Childhood Education and Care, Isaak Papadopoulos, participated in an Erasmus+ teaching mobility at the Faculty of Education of the University of Osijek, Croatia. During his visit, he had the opportunity to explore emergent literacy practices in early childhood, observing creative and dynamic preschool classrooms affiliated with the university. He taught in both bilingual and monolingual kindergarten settings, gaining firsthand experience in the implementation of multilingual pedagogy. A highlight of the visit was his series of lectures, which focused on topics such as:

• The pedagogical dimensions of emergent literacy

• Multilingualism in early childhood education

• Empathy, inclusion, and language learning

• Bridging theory and practice in early childhood pedagogy

His participation contributed meaningfully to international academic exchange and the promotion of innovative practices in early years education.

May 26–30, 2025 – International Erasmus Staff Mobility Week

As part of the International Erasmus Staff Mobility Week, organized by the International Hellenic University, the Department of Early Childhood Education and Care had the honor of hosting academic staff from Europe and the United States at its facilities.

Throughout their visit, participants engaged in meaningful discussions on key issues related to the internationalization of higher education institutions, as well as the development of research collaborations and broader academic partnerships among universities.

Mrs. Maria Polymerou, lecturer of the course English Terminology, prepared an interactive activity together with her students, combining language learning with elements of Greek culture.

In addition, Assistant Professor Isaak Papadopoulos gave a presentation to the international guests, introducing the identity of the Department and outlining the structure and content of its undergraduate curriculum.

May 26–30, 2025 – Metropolia University, Helsinki

A group of 10 students from our Department of Early Childhood Education and Care had the opportunity to participate in a short-term Erasmus mobility program at Metropolia University in Helsinki, Finland.

This was a truly unique experience—a life-changing opportunity not only for the students but also for the accompanying faculty members. It proved to be valuable both for their academic development and their professional growth.

We wholeheartedly support the Erasmus+ Programme and strongly recommend it to all students and educators!