Polona Oblak, Assistant Lecturer of Italian and French languages, and Strategic Partnerships Coordinator at the Euro-Mediterranean University (EMUNI), completed an Erasmus + staff training mobility in Morocco during September.
Polona spent her mobility at the Euromed University of Fez (UEMF ) from 12 – 16 September, 2022, which was divided into three parts.
The first part involved orientation, during which Polona was invited to the International Office of the UEMF for a welcome meeting. The second part of the mobility included a meeting with the Dean of the Faculty of Human and Social Sciences and two professors from the Department of Translation and Traductology. Together they discussed the possibility of organising a joint master’s programme entitled “Mediterranean Studies” that would potentially involve the two institutions. The deadlines for the submission of documents, and the organisation and division of tasks among those who would constitute the team to manage this initiative were also discussed.
The third and last part of the mobility included a training at the Faculty of Human and Social Sciences, where Polona had the chance to meet members of the Editorial Board, learn more about their scientific journal, and receive tips on how to enhance the skills of scientific writing and make better use of a platform for the submission of articles.
Regarding her cultural experience, Polona was able to explore the city of Fez, where she sampled the local cuisine, saw famous monuments, and generally had the chance to mix with local people and get to know more about Moroccan and Berber culture. This mobility was also an opportunity for her to practise her French, Spanish and Italian language skills.
This mobility had a very positive impact on Polona personally, because she was able to expand her circle of contacts and improve her soft skills.
Polona: “From a professional point of view, the experience helped me gain knowledge in how to organise events, as well as learn good practices in the fields of education, training and mobility, and expand my circle of contacts.”
In local and regional terms, the collaboration with the UEMF also potentially paves the way for cooperation in interregional projects, joint conferences, and exchange visits of staff and students between Slovenia and Morocco, as well as the joint organisation of seminars for students of translation and/or other fields.