International academic mobility to the Catholic University of Leuven (Belgium) through the prism of student experience.

During the spring semester of the 2025-2026 academic year, students of the Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic National University Dmytro Chernenko (group M-614) and Kyrylo Filipenkov (group KST-615m) participated in the international semester academic mobility program at the De Nayer campus of the Catholic University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Belgium. During the study, which was preceded by a successful selection, students under the guidance of experienced foreign teachers mastered a number of academic disciplines, the content of which was relevant to the content of the educational programs in which Dmytro and Kyrylo are studying at our university. All learning outcomes obtained during academic mobility were recognized at the Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic National University within the framework of the mobility agreement and partnership agreement between our university and the Catholic University of Leuven.

We invite students of all courses and levels of study to participate in international academic mobility programs, information about which can be found on our official website at the link https://zp.edu.ua/international-activities/academic-mobility/ and we offer to get acquainted with the impressions of the program of Dmytro Chernenko.

Dmytro Chernenko (M-614).

Hello! My name is Dmytro, and I am a second-year undergraduate student at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering. I became interested in academic mobility in my first year, but unfortunately, I was unable to participate in the long-term program then. But as soon as the opportunity arose, I agreed to a semester of mobility at the Catholic University of Leuven.

Study under academic mobility programs, in particular, is distinguished by a high degree of individual approach to the educational process – even if your specialty is not directly available at the host institution (as, for example, was the case with me), you will definitely be helped to choose an individual study plan that will best meet your desires and competencies.

Such a program can also become an excellent «school of life» – managing finances (which, by the way, is more than covered by the host party), planning routes and trips, communication and foreign language skills – and all this within a relatively soft framework that will allow you to develop your abilities perfectly.

In addition to training, there is, of course, a cultural component – in the subjects, in addition to lectures and laboratory work, we visited local production facilities as part of excursions, and what a The expanse opens up for independent tourism… Brussels, Antwerp, Ghent, Bruges, Dinant and Oostende are just some of the cities and towns that Kyrylo and I managed to visit during this time.

Of course, nothing is without challenges and difficulties, but those who fight will always overcome. For example, unfortunately, I was unable to successfully pass one of the subjects, but this did not prevent me from completing my studies in general and completing a similar discipline at the Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic National University. The main thing is to make an effort to solve the problem, and they will be happy to help you!

Finally, I would like to thank everyone involved, namely: Professor Petro Arras of KU Leuven, the staff of the International Department of our university, Larisa Duyko, Professor Halyna Tabunshchyk, the Dean’s Office of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, as well as the Deans of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and the Faculty of Transport, Vasyl Glushko and Oleksiy Kuzkin. For those who are hesitant, I would advise you not to hesitate! Participation in academic mobility programs is a great opportunity to achieve many goals at the same time: gain invaluable experience of live learning, get acquainted with the foreign education system, find career and academic prospects for yourself, visit many interesting cities and more!