The sky´s not the limit: SU 🧡 LU 🧡 SU
First they met online. Then a Lund (LU) delegation visited Stellenbosch University (SU) in South Africa. A couple of weeks ago SU came to visit LU. (And the tale goes, they rode off together into the sunset.)
An eight month long Erasmus university strategic partership exchange programme between Lund and Stellenbosch, South Africa, has given the participants lots of food for thought, professional and personal development, new skills and, collabaration openings and new friends.
The programme has covered topics of intercultural skills and inclusion aiming to stimulate dialogue on internationalisation in diverse university environments. The topics and best-practice examples from both SU and LU were introduced in a combination of online and face-to-face interactions throughout the programme.
"If it was possible to go back, I would say yes in a heartbeat!"
Dennis Persson, Programme Coordinator at the Faculty of Medicine:
"My trip to Stellenbosch was an experience of a life-time. This was one of the best trips of my life, even though it was for work. I felt right at home after getting to know the colleagues from Stellenbosch University and I was treated as one of their own. We had wonderful discussions, laughter and constructive dialogue about how we work, similarities and differences".
"I joined this exchange in order to gain better English proficiency in my professional role but also to gain experience from another university on how to perform daily tasks. I thought it necessary in order make sure that our students to receive the best and most efficient support during their studies and to establish deeper relations on the administrative side"
What did you learn during your visit? "That we face the same challenges even though we work differently. I learned that our goal of ensuring student success in finishing their programs are one and the same".
What did you enjoy the most? "The constant beautiful backdrop of mountains surrounding the city and Stellenbosch´ main campus. Also, the very friendly people we met at Stellenbosch and their generosity; sharing their knowledge during my visit. The laughters that we all shared in between professional work. That we all can be ourselves no matter wherever in the world we are. Sharing laughter together even if our days are packed with seriousness".
Take-aways to your Swedish work environment? "There are many, but mostly that even in stressful times, some laughter will always bring sunlight to your day. Your colleauges are there to help, even if just to share some laughter on a cloudy day. I will bring back that our problems here aren’t unique and with help, we can solve everything.
Also, the sense of one university identity which we kind of lack Lund University. The common strategy was reminded of every day to make sure that you as employee and as a student feel like a Matie (the Stellenbosch team name)".
Will you go back? "I would really like to, to actually work with the colleagues from Stellenbosch University and follow up on our experiences both from my trip to South Africa, but their visit in Lund. If it was possible to go back, I would say yes in a heartbeat".
Lund take-aways: “The term “lagom” is such a good example to live by”
Lauren Delport, Faculty Administrator, Stellenbosch University:
“The visit in Lund was a life changing experience! So much fun and so much experience shared, and knowledge gained. A week, and programme, that will always be cherished".
"This experience enables me to identify and implement technical enhancements to our processes, improving data management within the Faculty, enhancing student engagement. On a more personal level, it was so heartwarming to experience a society living out the values collectively, that are also taught to us, but lived more individually in South Africa., aking it a better place to live for everyone. The term “Lagom” is such a good example to live by. I have learned so much about the cultural expressions and how internationalisation is important to understand different cultural expressions".
What did you enjoy the most? "There is so much, but the cycling through town I enjoyed the most. I loved the food, the smörgåstårta, the fika, and the outdoor active parks".
Best memories? "Getting to know the Lund colleagues on a personal level and building relationships that would last a lifetime. The excitement of the collaborations that will come from this programme".
Take-aways to your regular work? "As South African’s we can learn so much about the work-life balance culture in Sweden. To incorporate fika within my division on a much more regular basis. Also to support the implementation of a health movement app such as the Pausit app to remind you to move more. The Central Applications System that Sweden is using is something to strive towards to incorporate more efficient competition amongst universities. The Dare to Speak initiative from the Student Health Centre will help and support employees more in enhancing their professional development within their day-to-day environments. Introducing different approaches to procedures within the administrative side.
There is also so much that the SU colleagues could teach and introduce to the LU colleagues to implement and support on Lund University’s side".
Will you come back? "Definitely, I fell in love with Lund. Perhaps applying for a PhD scholarship in the future".