{"id":288,"date":"2024-06-20T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-06-19T21:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogit.metropolia.fi\/metropolia-exchange\/2024\/06\/20\/erasmus-inclusion-support-enabled-me-to-join-the-blended-intensive-programme-bip-in-portugal\/"},"modified":"2025-06-27T13:33:25","modified_gmt":"2025-06-27T10:33:25","slug":"erasmus-inclusion-support-enabled-me-to-join-the-blended-intensive-programme-bip-in-portugal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogit.metropolia.fi\/metropolia-exchange\/en\/2024\/06\/20\/erasmus-inclusion-support-enabled-me-to-join-the-blended-intensive-programme-bip-in-portugal\/","title":{"rendered":"Erasmus+ Inclusion Support enabled me to join the Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) in Portugal!"},"content":{"rendered":"

The story about student exchange was almost unrealistic for me. I am single mom of three kids. However, my oldest child is already 18 and my two small boys are living with me. Me and Robin started studying in the same year. I started with bachelor program in International Business and Logistics (IBL) at Metropolia, and he went to first\u00a0grade at school. My youngest one was five years old in those days.<\/p>\n

The idea about being an exchange student was a personal long-lasting dream, but somehow I felt it is not applicable for me. For me it was way too complicated to change a country, especially when having a lot of responsibilities at home already. Time went fast… Kids become more confident and I tried to apply for 6 months study exchange in Spain. The reason for choosing this country \u2013 I speak Spanish a little and would like to improve knowledge and get another European perspective to my study field.<\/p>\n

However, I was already doing my final study year and long-term exchange did not anymore fit into my degree study plan. So, the exchange was not a possibility at that time and would have postponed my graduation. Then the idea sort of faded away, until on one day I got an email about FinBank challenge in Portugal, Blended Intensive Programme about Banking and Finance study with Set\u00fabal Polytechnic Institute! \u00a0\u00a0The program promised to be intensive and during one week in Portugal should be presented innovation for banking sector related to design thinking and creativity. Additionally, we were able to meet with students from all over Europe online.<\/p>\n

I applied and got selected!\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

I have been so lucky when Erasmus+ programme and International Relations Adviser in Metropolia nominated me as exchange student for this programme. That really meant a lot for me! Without funding from Erasmus+ Blended Mobility I couldn\u2019t have been able to cover the expenses of travelling and living on top of my family’s other expenses.<\/p>\n

Our intensive finance course in Set\u00fabal was held in May 2024. A great value is that Erasmus+ programme supports students with families with additional inclusion support. This made me feel that Metropolia cares about young parents a lot. My total financial support was almost 1200 euros as I was entitled for the inclusion support, travel grant and the program day support! \u00a0This is really good form of support, if you know how to take care of the arrangements correctly!<\/p>\n

This BIP about Finance was well organized by Portuguese colleagues. Professor Ana Rolo from Set\u00fabal Polytechnic Institute provided each student team very good guidance. So, even though my major, Logistics sector is not that much finance and banking-oriented, but it was not difficult to get in to idea and join the team work and start learning!<\/p>\n

Getting ready for an adventure!\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

From Metropolia we traveled to Portugal together in a group of five Metropolia Business School students. In the actual group work project, there were students from Norway, Portugal, Czech Republic, Romania and Belgium. Luckily, we quickly divided the tasks and got really motivated about the topic. Actually, our project was successfully completed one day before deadline.<\/p>\n

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All in all,\u00a0I was able to gather many lovely experiences from Portugal as the Instituto Polit\u00e9cnico de Set\u00fabal<\/a> created an amazing program for the students. For example, we visited Pal\u00e1cio da Bacalh\u00f4a located in S\u00e3o Sim\u00e3o, Azeit\u00e3o, Set\u00fabal, wine and cultural tour, went to some nice beaches by the ocean and even a natural park. Our lunch was in a most beautiful restaurant of the city – Casa da Ba\u00eda.<\/p>\n

The communication with professors was smooth as we were able to ask questions, but also the work in the group of students was highly enriching and brought some new perspectives! All in all,\u00a0 a brilliant experience from Erasmus+ programme. I\u2019m so thankful for International Relations Adviser and exchange possibilities at Metropolia. Because of them – I could see the ocean.<\/p>\n

Last but not least; Many greetings to my teammates who make amazing effort on presentation day!<\/p>\n

Tips based on my experience:<\/strong><\/p>\n