2020/11/13
SUT INTERNATIONAL STAFF TRAINING WEEK
SUT INTERNATIONAL STAFF TRAINING WEEK
For three years, I have been conducting virtual exchanges with the Silesian University of Technology (SUT) in Gliwice, POLAND. I knew where to find Gliwice on the map, but I had no idea what a delightful city it was until last fall when my virtual exchange partner, Prof. Iwona Seta-Dabrowska, invited me to the SUT International Staff Training Week.
The concept of an ‘International Staff Training Week’ was new to me and I did not know what to expect. This made my enjoyment of the event even higher. There were tutorials, workshops, project presentations, social mixers: a great opportunity to learn new things, to meet colleagues from around the world and exchange ideas in a relaxed and and pleasant atmosphere.
This year, the pandemic made it impossible to travel and the International Staff Training Week was held online. I had the pleasure of attending again and, although I did understand a little why our students yearn for the return to face-to-face classes- yes, it is fun to talk to people over a cup of coffee or to meet with them for dinner when the day’s program is finished- I managed to have almost as good a time as last year. I sat through lectures, workshops and social gatherings for hours for five days in a row and I was neither bored nor tired even though Gliwice is seven hours away and I had my classes during the day.
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I have no doubt that organizing such an even, on campus or online, is not easy, but it’s definitely worth it. I have learned so much during these days from tips on how to use online resources to creative ideas for projects and many other things too. Thank you organizers, you did a wonderful job! I wish we could have an International Staff Training Week at OUC. Even a small one would be nice.
