Exchange of experience working with foreign affairs at the University of Latvia

Veronika notes that the popularity of Erasmus increases the number of students from her university who go on exchange programs to study or take on traineeship every year. The OSU encourages and supports students willing to participate in exchange programs, and this opportunity is granted to all students. The OSU was founded 24 years ago, and is both new and small in comparison with the UL, so the implementation of student exchange programs is still developing. This is probably why the OSU has few exchange students for the time being. Still, Veronika emphasizes that the great variety of programs and student life and atmosphere are favourable preconditions for a growing influx of foreign students. Eight years ago, Veronika travelled through the Baltic States; Latvia captured her attention with its beautiful nature, endlessly long beaches and Riga. That is why Latvia was the first choice for an exchange destination. She was surprised by UL traditions as well as the University’s broad international cooperation. It was interesting to get to know the International Relations Department from another perspective – not as a student, but helping as a trainee in the department. She has participated in exchange programs twice, although she had never imagined how much time and effort goes into the administration process, preparation for admitting the students, personal cooperation through all semester, and taking care that the time students spent in university would be pleasant. There are 9 students from the Czech Republic in the UL, and Veronika has met some of them. Since she has had to speak English the entire time here, it was really nice to meet fellow countrymen from the Czech Republic and Slovakia and have a word in her native tongue. The students are also glad spending time here; they are all travelling and getting to know Latvia alongside their studies. Shortly before returning home Veronika admits that it will be hard to say good-bye to Riga, as she would like to stay here longer. She is satisfied with the time spent here. Memories and new friends will be a reason to return and get to know Latvia a little better. Veronika is the second trainee that has worked in the International Relations Department within the exchange program. As the employees of the Department are particularly busy in the beginning of semester when the exchange students arrive, trainee help in this period is especially welcomed. The representatives of the Department   highly appreciate the trainees’ contribution - not least because they allow employees to see things from a different perspective, which is really important in their job. Trainees also often offer new and innovative ideas on how to improve the service and the image of the UL. What does a trainee do in the International Relations Department? In her traineeship Veronika helped:

• prepare informative handouts for arriving exchange students for the introductory lesson in the beginning of the semester;

• register students for studies at the UL and give tips for processing student ID cards and e-tickets;

• perform bilateral cooperation agreements and analysis of the UL’s strategy;

• make and summarize inquiry forms about the level of exchange students’ satisfaction with  the UL dormitories.