ERASMUS CHANGING LIVES OPENING MINDS fOR 25 YEARS

Connie
Væver
‘Erasmus helps you create your own specialist community’
Home institution:
VIA University College, Denmark
Field of study/job title:
Lecturer in textile design
Year became active in Erasmus:
2007
As a lecturer in textile design, Connie Væver works in a specialised field where
student exchanges are not very common. However when the opportunity arose
to go abroad, she discovered very welcoming colleagues who were keen to
exchange ideas and share knowledge. ‘By taking the opportunity to go abroad,
I have found a new group of colleagues who inspire me.’
On her first visit to the Netherlands, it was clear that a great deal was similar
but much was different. For her ‘it was interesting to see the different ways of
giving feedback to students, compared to the approach used in Denmark.’ The
time spent in the Netherlands gave her inspiration and ideas for her own students
and helped her ‘to set up international classes’. It also provided her with
a better understanding of what her students experience when they are on an
exchange programme.
Her experiences have also motivated her to send more students abroad, particularly
to work in companies specialising in design. This enables ‘students
from a small country to see the bigger picture, strengthens their curriculum
vitae and makes them more attractive to employers.’ She would like all her students
to take the opportunity to go abroad as they return from exchange programmes
‘different people who are more dedicated, more involved and often
have new ideas and approaches.’
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