With 3,400 students, four campus locations, and 33 bachelor’s and master’s programmes, the University of Applied Sciences in Salzburg is one of the most notable European universities. Students can study full-time or part-time, with FH Salzburg specialising in social science, business and tourism, creative technologies, health sciences, design, green engineering, IT, and digitalisation.
The university boasts over 170 education partners across the globe, continually growing its international network.
Aleksandra Ortern works at FH Salzburg’s international office. She is responsible for Erasmus+ staff mobility. During her course week at Atlantic, she planned yet another staff trip to Galway, an annual event.
At the end of her stay, Aleksandra spoke to us about her work, her Erasmus+ experiences as an organiser and participant, and about her time in Galway.
I work at the international office and am responsible for Erasmus staff mobility and international office course administration. I organise the trips to Galway for our employees.
Every year, we send a group of up to 20 people here for a week to do different courses. I book flights and the accommodation and organise everything. They just have to come, learn, and enjoy Galway.
The positive impact of staff mobility on staff motivation and morale is visible on their return to work:
They feel more comfortable speaking English, and the motivation rises. Afterwards, everyone comes back really excited and very happy. Many people want to return and come here again. I have one colleague, who took part twice with a group, but she also comes to Ireland every year privately. She’s really a big fan.
People who come in a group get closer because they come from different departments. Many people don’t know each other because we are a big company with over 450 employees. We also have external lecturers, altogether over a thousand staff members so you cannot know everyone. But here, they get to know each other better and become friends and meet up regularly at home.
Erasmus+ has been hugely beneficial, Aleksandra added:
It’s a great opportunity for everyone to take part, to teach, to do job shadowing and training. I know I deal with people who apply for training or teaching mobility. Many people think, “Oh, my God, Erasmus+ plus – all the forms I have to fill in. It’s so much work.” Actually, it’s not. It’s maybe 10 minutes’ work, and it’s really worth it.
The funding is thankfully very generous. Otherwise, people wouldn’t be able to do it. We have some teachers who participate regularly and also do many trips with their students.
It’s also great to see how other universities work. There is an exchange, sometimes course participants start joint projects.
On a personal level, Aleksandra thoroughly enjoyed herself. She participated in English for Professional Communication. She said:
It’s really good. It’s very intensive. The courses are nice, compact, and it’s fun. But the whole experience, the course and the excursions – it’s overwhelming and really good. I did the excursions to Connemara and the Cliffs of Moher.
I also like how the weather changes here. It makes you happy. We went to the Cliffs of Moher. I was soaking wet and the wind was so strong. I had to cling to the railings going down the stairs. But I had a smile on my face because it was so wild. So it didn’t bother me.
Yeah, the Cliffs were the best. And I also like the atmosphere in the city. It’s so lively, full of people all day long. In the evening, it’s so different. Also, you go to the pub, just on a random Monday afternoon, and there is a band playing. It’s cool, so relaxed. It’s so nice. I want to come again next year.
We would like to thank Aleksandra not only for taking the time to talk to us but also for her professionalism and hard work in organising group participation at Atlantic. And, we look forward to welcoming her again.