- Engagement in academic life and work-life balance
- Sense of belonging in higher education
- What could student unions do nationally and locally to increase the sense of belonging of students at their HEIs?
- What is expected by the ideal welcome office and service in HEI? What are the main psychological support structures?
We hope you enjoy listening!
Podcast production: EUROPEAN STUDENTS’ UNION, Belgium
Episode One: Engagement in Academic Life & Work-life balance
The first episode of the UNICOMM podcast series, titled “Engagement in Academic Life,” focuses on the challenges of work-life balance and time management faced by students. Moderated by Vasiliki Tsaklidou, the discussion features Julia and Martyna, two students from the University of Warsaw, who share their personal experiences and strategies for navigating academic responsibilities while maintaining a healthy and fulfilling student life.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1cMzISl88yD3thB4dYoBt0ky-uPuXn-Jo/view
Episode Two: Sense of Belonging in Higher Education
The second episode of the UNICOMM podcast series, titled “Sense of Belonging in Higher Education,” delves into the experiences of international students and their journey of intercultural adaptation within a new academic environment. Moderated by Vasiliki Tsaklidou, the conversation features Charity and James, two students from the University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria, who reflect on the challenges and opportunities of building a sense of belonging while studying abroad.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1oIwzY0ouRVf2MnqgDYbAFyktbjyDRApG/view?usp=sharing
Episode Three: Belonging in HE: Not the Same for All
The third episode of the UNICOMM podcast series, titled “Belonging in Higher Education: Not the Same for All,” explores the unique perspective of student representatives and their sense of belonging within academic institutions. Moderated by Vasiliki Tsaklidou, this episode features Mario and Daciana from the European Students’ Union (ESU), who share their insights on representation, inclusion, and the often overlooked emotional and social dimensions of student leadership.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1w1ych8Ie9Ttr1kGl8zdwmHB1Y5oihco9/view?usp=sharing
Episode Four: Participation within University
The fourth episode of the UNICOMM podcast series, titled “Participation within University,” explores how students engage with university life beyond academics, with a particular focus on the role of welcome offices and student associations in supporting international students. Moderated by Vasiliki Tsaklidou, the episode opens with a reflection on the importance of these structures in helping students feel integrated and supported. Pantelitsa and Pavel, students from Palacký University, share their personal experiences with participation, highlighting how involvement in student life fosters a deeper sense of community, belonging, and personal growth.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qmwM4yMFNNW4g63wjEgP5sPfVWn10T9h/view?usp=sharing
https://www.wolontariat.uw.edu.pl/en/unicomm-podcast-student/
UNICOMM Project is co-funded by the European Union
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the National Agency (NA). Neither the European Union nor NA can be held responsible for them.
Project number: 2022-1-PL01-KA220-HED-00008690
Project coordinator
University of Warsaw (Volunteer Centre of the University of Warsaw)
Project partners
- University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria
- Palacký University Olomouc, Czech Republic
- European Students’ Union, Belgium
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Please credit this materials to: UNICOMM PROJECT – University Community Active Participation Project (2024), www.wolontariat.uw.edu.pl/unicomm