A professional trip with numerous benefits!

2025.06.16.

As previously outlined, Erasmus scholarships are available not only to our students, but also to our lecturers and staff. Although these opportunities are only four to five days long instead of several months, they provide valuable professional experience for our colleagues. This time, we asked Dr Krisztina Bence-Kiss, an assistant professor in the Department of Marketing and Argumentation, about her week at the University of Cyprus.

What motivated you to participate in the Erasmus+ programme?

I have always considered building international relations to be important, both as a lecturer and as a researcher. I believe it is extremely beneficial for students to attend classes by foreign guest lecturers alongside Hungarian instructors, as this enhances the learning experience. As a researcher, collaborating with foreign colleagues on research projects is also essential, because it broadens our horizons and allows us to encounter a variety of skills through joint work.

What were some highlights during your time in Cyprus?

I spent an intense week in Nicosia, the capital of Cyprus. I gave several lectures on social media marketing, including TikTok marketing, to local students. My Cypriot colleagues showed me around the well-developed American-style university campus and one evening, I attended a lecture by Sir Christopher Pissarides, one of the university's founders and winner of the 2010 Nobel Prize. It was a unique experience, it's not every day that you get to hear a Nobel Prize-winning economist speak in person.

Travelling to Cyprus was also a fascinating cultural experience, as the history of this European Union country, which has been at war for 70 years, is unique and incredibly intriguing. The Cypriots are very open and willing to talk about the situation, and I now see the world in a completely different light. I also spent some time sightseeing during my time there, as both the cities and the island's nature are beautiful. Although I had not considered the country as a holiday destination before, I am sure that I will return there as a tourist.

What were the key takeaways from your trip , and how can you apply your experiences to your work at GTK?

One of the programme's biggest benefits is that I was invited to join an international research group working with colleagues from Cyprus, Greece, Austria, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Nigeria to create a digital artificial intelligence assistant optimised for small and medium-sized enterprises. In the meantime, other exciting projects and collaborations are also developing, including inviting guest lecturers. So, in addition to shaping my outlook during my time abroad, I have also managed to establish valuable connections.

Why would you recommend participating in the Erasmus programme?

It changed my life as a student and now, as a lecturer, it contributes greatly to my professional development. I have gained exciting international experiences and cultural insights, and established fruitful professional relationships. International experience and connections definitely contribute to both personal and professional development, so I can only recommend the programme to all my colleagues and students!

Photos: Dr Krisztina Bence-Kiss