Exploring new cultures, working in international teams, debating global challenges and building connections that go beyond borders. This was the experience lived by three students from the Faculty of Education and Psychology of the Universidade Católica Portuguesa (FEP-UCP), who took part in T4EU Week, an initiative of the European alliance Transform4Europe (T4EU).
The experience enabled them to represent FEP-UCP in a multicultural academic context, reinforcing the Faculty’s commitment to internationalisation and to educating citizens prepared to act in an increasingly interconnected world.
T4EU is a European university alliance focused on academic cooperation and on addressing global challenges. In this edition of T4EU Week, participants joined one of three hybrid courses taught in English and worth 3 ECTS: “Digital Transformation” (technology and AI), “Societal Transformation” (social change and diversity) or “Environmental Transformation” (sustainability).
It was within this context that FEP-UCP students Mafalda Correia, Carolina Oliveira and Gabriela Vintimilla embraced an experience they describe as transformative, marked by learning, knowledge sharing and the building of an international network of contacts.
A European community of learning and collaboration
Enrolled in the “Societal Transformation” course, Mafalda Correia, a first-year student in the Masters in Psychology at FEP-UCP, had the opportunity to reflect on the challenges and transformations shaping contemporary society, working in multidisciplinary teams composed of participants from different nationalities and areas of knowledge.
Throughout the week, she analysed social issues, took part in workshops and seminars, and collaborated in developing solutions to address current challenges.
“This experience allowed me to develop skills in communication, teamwork, critical thinking and problem-solving. Constant interaction with participants from different countries enhanced my ability to adapt and to embrace new perspectives and ways of thinking,” she says.
Meanwhile, doctoral students in the International PhD in Applied Psychology, Carolina Oliveira and Gabriela Vintimilla, joined the “Digital Transformation” course, where they worked in international teams to develop innovative solutions to address challenges related to digital transformation and the growing impact of technology on society.
The participation proved particularly enriching for Gabriela, who highlights the development of a pitch as one of the most memorable moments of the experience. Her group, made up of students from different universities, nationalities and career stages, achieved second place in the final project presentations.
“Despite all of us having very different backgrounds and experiences, we managed to work together to find a common solution. It was a clear demonstration of how collaboration between people with different perspectives can generate effective solutions,” she notes.
As doctoral students, Carolina and Gabriela also took part in a dedicated session for PhD candidates, which brought together students and lecturers from several European universities to share research projects, academic experiences and opportunities for future collaboration.
Personal growth, new skills and broader horizons
More than the knowledge gained, it was the people and the connections created that left a lasting impression on the participants.
“Although we didn’t know each other very well at first, this opportunity brought us closer together, because we quickly realised we shared a common goal: to represent our Faculty as best as possible,” Carolina recalls.
Ongoing contact with students from different countries proved to be one of the most enriching aspects of the experience. For Mafalda, it was surprising to see how cultural differences quickly gave way to an environment of collaboration and mutual respect.
Carolina agrees, highlighting the strong sense of community: “Regardless of nationality, culture or field of study, there was a shared search for connection, belonging, exchange and happiness. We quickly stopped being just a group of people from different countries and became a true community.”
Gabriela also retains very positive memories of the parallel activities organised throughout the week. Among them, she highlights a biodanza session, which she initially approached with some scepticism but which turned out to be a surprising and enriching experience.
In terms of learning, she emphasises the opportunity to deepen her knowledge of using digital tools in an entrepreneurial context, as well as to understand the risks and regulatory frameworks of digital transformation.
For the three students, T4EU Week was the ideal platform to showcase FEP-UCP to an international academic community. Reflecting on the impact of the journey, they offer clear advice to peers who may have a similar opportunity: make the most of every moment, keep an open attitude and do not be afraid to step outside your comfort zone.
T4EU Week took place in Lisbon from 25 to 29 May, under the theme “Community, Communities: Engage to Transform”, bringing together students, researchers and lecturers from the universities that make up the Transform4Europe alliance.
