Testimonials Erasmus+ Mobility Programme
Curious about what it's like to visit a foreign university through Erasmus+? Over the years, various staff members have had the opportunity to spend a few days immersing themselves in a new academic environment, exchanging knowledge, and building international connections. In these testimonials, they share their experiences: from inspiring encounters with colleagues to new insights they bring back to their own workplace.
Laurent Theunissen
Financial Consultant at Facility Services
Visited University of South Eastern Norway (October 2025)
After learning about the Erasmus+ staff mobility programme, I contacted a number of universities affiliated with YERUN and expressed my interest in job shadowing. Based on the content, the University of South Eastern Norway (USN) quickly emerged as the most interesting choice for me. I was given the opportunity to visit the Vestfold Campus for a full working week in the autumn of 2025.
During the week, I worked with the accounting manager and a number of other finance professionals to look at a wide range of financial processes, focusing in particular on month-end closings and the technical system design. I observed several best practice elements that we at UM could improve on, but at the same time I also noted that both universities face similar challenges in various areas.
In addition to job shadowing, I also had the opportunity to briefly familiarise myself with an interesting part of one of their specialised maritime study programmes. My main contact was also kind enough to offer me an excursion to Faerder National Park - Verdens Ende, which gave me the opportunity to admire another part of this beautiful country.
My conclusion: it was a fantastic experience in which I was able to gain a lot of professional knowledge and inspiration in a short period of time, as well as meet new people in another country in a professional setting. I am therefore very grateful to UM and USN for this opportunity.
Denzel Sarmon
Financial consultant at the Faculty of Law
Visited Universitat Politècnica de València in Spain (June 2025)
"My staff mobility brought me to the wonderful city of Valencia, where I attended the 18th International Staff Week for administrative staff at Universitat Politècnica de València. I chose this mobility not only for the programme, which contained 5 days of job shadowing, training courses and workshops, but also because I had never visited Valencia and heard great things about the beautiful city itself. On top of this, I wanted to improve my personal and professional development by taking part in a journey like this.
With over 230 participants from over 20 countries, it certainly surpassed my expectations! During the job shadowing, people from different administrative branches shared their work experience and turned it into an interactive discussion sharing best-practices and discussing current and future challenges. The workshops allowed for a great bonding experience with fellow participants. I even learned some Spanish along the way!
For me, the best part was meeting professionals from different universities. There is a sense of mutual understanding because even though we work for different institutions across Europe, we all try to achieve the same goals and deal with roughly the same issues. On a personal note, I formed friendships with great people I will never forget.
When colleagues ask me about my time in Valencia, I always tell them that if they have the chance to take part in a mobility, they should. The experiences you have and people you meet vastly outweighs the effort you must put in upfront. I will apply again if I have the opportunity."
Ilknur Aydeniz
Financial consultant at FHML
Visited Universitat Politècnica de València, Spain (June 2025)
"Through the Erasmus+ Staff Mobility programme, I had the opportunity to attend 18th international staff week for administrative staff at Universitat Politècnica de València. I chose this mobility programme because it covered a wide range of topics. The job shadowing aspect focused not only on finance but also included 4 additional subjects. In addition to the job shadowing there were training courses you could choose from. I personally took the IT course.
I didn’t know exactly what to expect, but the week exceeded my expectations. Both the job shadowing and IT course were very informative. Listening to other professionals share their experiences and challenges provided valuable insight in how other institutions manage their administrative tasks. The workshops were also a great opportunity to bond with the other participants and learn a bit more about Valencia.
What I enjoyed me the most was the social aspect. With over 230 participants from 20 countries, we were a diverse group of professionals with a wide range of backgrounds. Despite our differences we were still able to understand each other’s daily tasks, challenges etc. with little to no context needed. I made some amazing friendships during this week and hope to meet them again in the future.
For anyone considering of joining this programme, I highly recommend it, just go for it! you will not regret it!"
Anastasiya Mircheva
Education-/Research Officer at FHML
Visited the National Institute of Biology in Ljubljana, Slovenia (June 2025)
"Earlier this year in June, I had the chance to spend time at the National Institute of Biology in Ljubljana, Slovenia, through the Erasmus+ staff mobility programme. I ended up there thanks to a past collaboration between my supervisor and the institute and I’m so glad I did!
My main goal was to learn the Micronucleus (MN) assay, and I got to do exactly that by job shadowing their skilled researchers. Watching them work step-by-step, asking questions in the moment, and picking up those little 'unwritten' tricks made all the difference. I left feeling not just more confident in the technique, but also with a deeper appreciation for its applications in environmental and genotoxicity research.
What really stuck with me, though, was the atmosphere. The team’s generosity with their time, their openness to share ideas, and their genuine passion for science were incredibly motivating. And Ljubljana itself? Charming streets, beautiful river views, and a calm, welcoming vibe that made every day enjoyable.
If you’re thinking about applying for Erasmus+ mobility... do it! Even a short trip can open your mind, refresh your perspective, and remind you why you love what you do."
Bart Gielen
Tuition Fee Administrator
Visited the University of Split, Croatia (May 2025)
"In early May, I took part in an Erasmus+ Staff Week at the University of Split in Croatia. Motivated by my enthusiasm for international exchange, I had proactively reached out to various universities and Split responded immediately. The theme of the week was: “Halfway There? Reaching the Goal of 50% Mobility”, focusing on the ambition for 50% of students and staff in European universities to gain international experience, something I was now contributing to myself.
There were 86 participants from 39 different countries. The programme included presentations, workshops, and social activities, such as a city tour and a beautiful boat trip. One workshop stood out for me: a session on communication strategies for Generations Y and Z. Although the workshops were not specifically about mobility, it was interesting to hear that communication challenges with students are widely shared across countries.
Although I work in the financial back office and might not be the most obvious participant, I felt very welcome. The interaction with colleagues from other departments and universities was truly enriching. We recognised many of the same challenges, especially when it comes to student engagement. What inspired me most was realising how valuable informal contact can be. You don't need a specific topic to have meaningful conversations, simply being together can lead to valuable insights. And the location? Absolutely amazing. The sunset cruise in particular was unforgettable: networking at sea with live music in the background and a breathtaking view, it felt like being in a movie. It was the perfect ending to a fantastic experience.
My tip for colleagues: don’t wait for an opportunity to come to you, take initiative. The experience is incredibly rewarding, both professionally and personally. If you get the chance: go for it! It truly is a once-in-a-lifetime experience."
Luc Voncken
Financial Consultant at MERLN
Visited the ISIM Business School in Nice, France (May 2025)
"My name is Luc Voncken, Financial Consultant at UM. I had the wonderful opportunity to attend the international staff week hosted by ISIM Business School in Nice, France. I chose this location not only for its beautiful setting, but also for the chance to connect with professionals from across Europe in a dynamic academic environment. My goal was to be more open to unknown cultures and connect with people.
Throughout the week, I participated in a variety of workshops, discussions, and cultural exchange activities. It was a valuable opportunity to engage with colleagues from different countries, share professional practices, and learn about the ways their work is approached across borders.
One of the biggest takeaways for me was learning to be more outgoing and open when engaging with people from different cultures. It pushed me outside of my comfort zone in the best way possible and gave me a greater appreciation for diversity in education, finance, and communication styles.
What inspired me most was the sense of connection that quickly formed among the participants. Despite our different backgrounds, we were united by a shared passion for learning, collaboration, and of course good food. It showed me how enriching international exchange can be professionally and personally.
My advice to colleagues thinking about applying is simple: take the time to do it! The Erasmus+ mobility programme is a unique and enriching experience for people of all ages. It’s an incredible opportunity to grow, build connections, and learn from a wide range of cultures. Don’t miss out!"
Lidwien Hollanders
Policy Advisor Research FSE
Went to Universität Bremen (May 2025)
"I was excited about the Erasmus+ program because I wanted to learn more about how foreign universities dealt with, among other things: promoting Open Science; supervising PhD candidates; and registering research output.
What gave my visit an unexpected twist was the fact that in Bremen there were no policy advisors for research (not at the Faculty level, nor at the Central level), which meant that many matters (such as, for example, a procedure for assessing knowledge security) were still in their infancy. I was truly of added value to them by sharing how we approach these issues and which systems we use. I may even have inspired them to consider creating a position for research policy officers.
In addition, I thoroughly enjoyed the city of Bremen and its German beer gardens. I would recommend such an exchange to anyone."
Florian Raith
Editor at MUO/Marketing & Communications
Went to Universitat de Barcelona (February 2025)
Being bilingual is so integral to UM that most of us never stop to think about it, but to me, as someone who writes and translates, it is an endless source of fascination (and occasionally grief). I applied for an ERASMUS+ staff mobility grant to study how the Universitat de Barcelona handles being bilingual. From understanding the history of the university’s institutional language, Catalan, and its relation with Spanish, to the current political situation, it was fascinating to see how they strike a balance between regional identity and a global outlook. I had in-depth meetings with people in charge of marketing, communication and recruitment, but also those ingeniously promoting and facilitating Catalan classes for international and Spanish-speaking members of UB’s community. It was an intense, enjoyable, and very inspiring learning experience made possible by the generosity and professional enthusiasm of my hosts and this grant.
Vicky Sterk
P&O Advisor Maastricht University Office
Visited NTNU Trondheim (October 2024)
"I was excited about the Erasmus+ programme because I enjoy learning outside of my familiar context. I am convinced that a different environment and culture enrich my knowledge and help me maintain a ‘beginner’s mind’. Additionally, it was the perfect opportunity to gain relevant HR knowledge, benefiting both my career and UM. It was incredibly motivating to acquire so much new knowledge and share my own expertise. Back in the Netherlands, I look at familiar processes with a fresh perspective and am eager to apply and further develop the knowledge I have gained within UM. I also hope to inspire other colleagues and embrace international community building. By connecting with foreign universities, we expand Europe’s collective knowledge. All in all, I am extremely grateful for this unforgettable experience!"
Netty Bekkers-Vos
Programme Manager Diversity & Inclusivity
Visited Trinity College Dublin (August 2024)
"I wanted to learn more about how Disability Inclusion and Equality for employees and students with a disability, chronic condition, or neurodivergence is organised and embedded at another English-speaking university. As part of the Erasmus+ practice exchange, I spoke with many different people about their roles at Trinity disAbility Service. They passionately and enthusiastically shared insights into their work. I have seen and experienced that it is possible to provide a highly accessible work environment for employees with disabilities if you truly dedicate time and effort to it.
I would like to contribute to positive changes within UM and use the knowledge from Trinity College Dublin to develop and implement policies and action plans. The application process required more work than I had expected, but I found the guidance from the UM Erasmus+ team to be very helpful. Don’t let the preparatory work discourage you! The visit, the experiences, and the outcome are more than worth it!"
René Nijssen
Head of Education Affairs at FHML
Visited Dorset College Dublin (August 2024)
"I decided to apply for the Erasmus+ programme at Dorset College because I wanted to deepen my knowledge and skills in the field of artificial intelligence (AI). AI is a rapidly evolving discipline with a significant impact, and I want to stay up to date with the latest developments so that I can effectively apply this knowledge in my work. I chose a staff week programme because it allowed me to acquire intensive knowledge in a short period. The programme consisted of a combination of lectures, hands-on workshops, and group discussions. Additionally, there were opportunities to collaborate with other professionals and exchange ideas about the practical application of AI. I plan to use the knowledge I gained within my department so that, together with my colleagues, we can effectively integrate the technology into our processes and services."
Damaris Kentgens
Communications Officer at FHML
Visited Università di Firenze (June-July 2024)
"The Erasmus+ Staff Mobility programme gave me the opportunity to attend the Summer School on Affective Neuroscience, which I organise from Maastricht, together with a colleague in Florence. This allowed me to experience firsthand whether there are significant cultural differences to consider when organising a course abroad. I noticed that in such countries, language is still an issue: especially support staff speaks little to no English. This experience enabled me to implement several improvements to the course, which I now understand better having been there myself. However, the application process is quite cumbersome for support staff, as it includes questions that are difficult to answer if you are not academic staff. A tip: go through the application form together with an academic colleague who has applied for grants before."
Linda Timmermans
Student Affairs Officer at FHML
Visited Universitat Politècnica in València (May-June 2024)
"The Erasmus+ programme at the Universitat Politècnica de València seemed like a unique opportunity to further develop my skills in Finance, Control, IT, and HR. The programme was a five-day international staff training week, aimed at improving the professional skills of administrative staff. I honestly did not know what to expect, but the week exceeded all my expectations. Of course, I learned a lot, including an introduction to the Spanish language, but what inspired me the most was the social aspect. I got to know many staff members from other universities and exchanged experiences. In total, there were no less than 329 colleagues from 41 different countries! Even outside the official programme, I often met up with colleagues to grab a meal together. I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity!"
