Veronika Rodzinska (Majoring in Media Production) and Yana Kolisnyk (Majoring in Publishing and Editing), students at the Faculty of Journalism of Borys Grinchenko Kyiv Metropolitan University, have successfully completed an international academic mobility program under the Erasmus+ initiative at the IHECS Journalism and Communication School (Brussels, Kingdom of Belgium). The mobility period took place from 30 January to 15 May 2026.
As part of the program, the students had the opportunity to deepen their knowledge in key areas of modern media production by mastering a range of practice-oriented courses. These included photo and video content creation, digital design, journalism projects, and mobile application development. The course covering modern digital tools, specifically working within Figma and Adobe Creative Cloud applications, was of particular interest. Acquiring hands-on experience with high-end shooting and audio equipment provided by the media school for study projects offered new insights into European media production and highlighted the vital role of technical infrastructure in creating high-quality multimedia products.
Studying in an English-speaking academic environment marked an important milestone in developing their communicative and professional competencies. Active business communication practice, along with collaborative project work with Belgian students and other Erasmus+ participants, helped enhance language proficiency, overcome communication barriers, and foster effective intercultural teamwork skills in international settings.
Beyond the educational component, the international academic mobility program gave the future media professionals an opportunity to explore the rich culture of Belgium and immerse themselves in the global context of the European capital. This experience extended far beyond traditional studying abroad, actively shaping the students' independence, critical thinking, and adaptability. Working in an international environment on real-world media products, such as video projects and multimedia stories, allowed them to master essential team collaboration skills, fully unlocking the potential of modern European education.
Academic mobility offers much more than just new knowledge, practical skills, and an international certificate. It serves as a crucial stage in personal and professional growth, helping participants better understand their potential, rethink contemporary approaches to media education, and take a confident step toward a future career in the global professional space.
