After a few years of absence, an International Staff Week was held again at the University of Public Service on 18-20 October 2022. From eight partner institutions, twenty participants arrived at UPS in the framework of the Erasmus+ mobility programme. In addition to guests from Portugal, France, Croatia, Poland, Latvia, Lithuania and Greece, ten Turkish colleagues were also welcomed to our University.
The event was opened by Dr Boglárka Koller, vice-rector for international affairs. After her welcome speech, the participants got to know each other better through casual games guided by the staff of the International Office. During the afternoon, after a presentation on the UPS, the guests visited the Faculty of Law Enforcement Education Building and Dormitory, where they were guided by Dr Dávid Petrétei, p. major. The participants had the opportunity to gain insight into the life of the Faculty and to visit the interrogation room. The day ended with a campus tour, during which the entire Ludovika Campus was presented.
The Erasmus+ coordinators started the second day with a self-introduction. Besides the staff of the Mobility Department at the International Office, the colleagues of the faculties were also present to answer questions. After a short break, Dr Ágoston Restás, Head of the Institute of Disaster Management at the Department of Public Safety, introduced the guests to the world of drones with the help of a computer simulator. At the same time, Dr Ágnes Jenei, Associate Professor of the Department of Social Communication, let the participants challenge their logic and problem-solving capacity via Virtual Reality games. During the rest of the day, the foreign colleagues shared their experiences and good practices on future opportunities and solutions related to the Erasmus+ Programme.
The final day of the event focused on Budapest. The International Office staff gave a detailed tour of Buda Castle and the Castle District. After discovering the sights and the stories and legends associated with them, such as the Castle Garden Bazaar, the Lion's Court, the Matthias Fountain, the Sándor Palace, Matthias Church and the Fisherman's Bastion, the participants visited the Hospital in the Rock - Nuclear Bunker Museum, where they were given a guided tour in English of the history of the former hospital. After the museum visit, participants were given some free time before returning to the University for a final workshop.
The three-day event ended in the John Lukács Lounge of the Side Building, where participants and organisers had a nice dinner and said goodbye.
Text: Melinda Markotán
Photo: Dénes Szilágyi, Brigitta Derka-Fehér