Wittenborg Marks Erasmus Days with Staff and Student Mobility Briefings

16.10.2026

Sessions Showcase Erasmus+ Opportunities for International Study, Training and Collaboration

On 12 October, Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences marked Erasmus Days with dedicated Erasmus+ mobility briefings for staff and students, highlighting a programme that has grown steadily since its current mobility activities began in 2024.

Organised by the Research Centre, the sessions were designed to give participants a practical understanding of how Erasmus+ works at Wittenborg, from eligibility and funding to destinations and application procedures.

Opening the staff session, Aydan Holtrigter, Head of Research Partnerships and International Mobility, walked colleagues through the process of applying for mobility opportunities abroad.

She acknowledged that Erasmus+ applications can appear daunting because of the paperwork involved, but said the Research Centre helps staff navigate each step, from identifying a host institution and securing approvals to arranging funding and completing the required documentation.

Holtrigter explained that most staff mobilities at Wittenborg are short-term exchanges lasting between two and five working days. Teaching exchanges require a minimum of eight teaching hours, while training mobilities allow staff to participate in professional development activities at partner institutions and organisations.

While many opportunities are available through Erasmus+ partnerships across Europe, Wittenborg's network also extends further afield through agreements with institutions in countries including Georgia, Egypt, Tunisia, Jordan and Algeria.

"Of course, it's for you, for your professional development and improvement, but it's also for Wittenborg as an institution to learn from its peers," she said.

Wittenborg's international engagement will continue in November when the institution hosts its own International Week from 2 to 6 November. More than 15 participants from partner universities are expected to visit, creating opportunities for Wittenborg colleagues and faculty to connect with international peers, exchange best practices and explore future collaboration in research, mobility programmes and other joint initiatives.

Learning from mobility experiences

The briefing also gave staff the opportunity to hear directly from colleagues who had recently returned from mobility programmes.

Nicoleta Salaru, Front Office & Housing Coordinator, shared her experience in Romania, while Vajihe Shojaei, Assistant Professor of Applied Sciences, and George Bosire, Senior Lecturer and BBA Programme Coordinator, spoke about their recent mobility in Hungary.

Attendees later heard from Temenuzhka Ivova Shtereva (Menekse Onbasi), founder of Artmonia Foundation, a Netherlands-based non-profit organisation that combines arts, education and community-based practices to inspire social change.

Having contributed to Wittenborg's Summer School earlier this year, she introduced additional opportunities through Artmonia, including training courses, learning mobilities and international projects that bring together participants from different countries. Her presentation highlighted initiatives focused on wellbeing, youth work, emotional awareness and community engagement.

Opportunities for students

Later in the day, students attended a dedicated Erasmus+ Student Mobility Briefing covering study-abroad and internship opportunities, partner destinations, application procedures and available funding.

For many students, these opportunities are already a reality. Earlier this year, Wittenborg students travelled to Romania and Türkiye through Erasmus+ mobility programmes, working with peers from across Europe on collaborative academic and professional projects.

Staff and students interested in Erasmus+ opportunities can contact the Research Centre for further information on destinations, funding and application procedures.