ERASMUS CHANGING LIVES OPENING MINDS fOR 25 YEARS

Elena
Luptak
‘Making student exchanges a normal part of university life’
Home institution:
Konservatorium Wien University,
Austria
Field of study/job title:
Dance teacher and Erasmus
Department Coordinator
Year became active in Erasmus:
2004
As a lecturer in a relatively new university, Elena Luptak was interested in going
abroad in order to see how other institutions organised their courses. ‘I found
it helpful to think about new ways of doing things and I gained a better overview
of systems and approaches that were used abroad. I was also able to bring back
new ideas that we could use at the university.’
For her travel had always been seen as an important part of student life. However
this is not always how students see their degree studies. ‘To make it a normal part
of students’ experience, it has to be supported and refreshed regularly.’ To help
dance students get the most from their experience abroad, two students ‘one
with stronger technical expertise and one with more artistic expertise’ are
selected who travel together. Exchanges also benefit those who do not go abroad
as returning students bring a different perspective to their studies, which
enhances everyone’s learning.
As well as organising student exchanges, she has developed extensive contacts
in other universities. ‘This is an important part of my university life. It is
interesting to meet new colleagues and students and I look forward to the time
when this is seen as normal.’
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