A unique rural mobility experience for UNITA students in France
This summer, Sofia Gilardi, a graduate student in tourism enrolled in her third year at the University of Turin (Italy) in Languages and Cultures for Tourism, and Guillermo Piedrafita, a student in management and law at the University of Zaragoza (Spain), completed a UNITA rural mobility internship on a wine estate in Mirepoix, Gers, a commune of 223 inhabitants. They were warmly welcomed by Mr. Esquiro and his family at the Domaine de la Higuère. During the internship, Sofia and Guillermo were trained to give guided tours of the estate in French, English, Italian and Spanish. Sofia and Guillermo stayed with other international students in the farmhouse on the estate. They each had their own room. Meals were prepared by Mrs. Esquiro, and the students helped with preparation and logistics. The winemaker taught them about the history of the estate, which has been in the family since 1784 (9 generations of winemakers), the history of the building, and the winemaking process for red, rosé and white wines. They carried out certain stages in the production process, such as tending the vines and bottling the wines. Mr. Esquiro introduced them to oenology, so that they would be able to taste the different wines for visitors. They also learned sales techniques for the estate store. The trainees really enjoyed this rural experience. It enabled them to improve their French, discover the winegrowing business in its entirety, and enjoy a unique experience.
Fighting Prejudices through Intercomprehension and Interculturality
From July 15 to 20, the University of Pau and the Adour Region (UPPA) hosted the Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) “Fighting Prejudices: Intercomprehension and Interculturality” on its Pau campus. This program, which brought together students and teachers from across Europe, aimed to promote intercultural communication and international cooperation. For a week, participants had the opportunity to develop their intercomprehension skills through workshops combining theory and playful practice, led by teachers from the UNITA alliance. In addition to these workshops, the program included various cultural and collaborative activities, such as a thematic tour of Pau focused on Street Art, allowing students to discover the city from a different perspective. The association Préjugix was also invited to give a one-day workshop to raise students’ awareness of the fight against prejudices, encouraging new perspectives on others and combating discrimination. Throughout the five days, participants and speakers communicated using their native Romance languages, leveraging intercomprehension strategies. This mode of communication offers several advantages, particularly by including students who do not have a strong command of English and may not be eligible for traditional mobility programs. Daniela Nelva, a German professor at the University of Turin, highlighted the importance of this initiative, the result of a collaborative effort between ten professors from four universities, brought to life following a matching event in Turin. She emphasized that the close ties between the University of Turin and UPPA, strengthened by the UNITA alliance, facilitate the emergence of such projects. “Students are encouraged to reach out to others, leading to lasting friendships,” she explained, adding that this format enables short-term mobility, ideal for a first experience and immersion in a multicultural group. “This experience truly helps to build Europe between people,” she concluded. For Yoleine, a UPPA student pursuing a diploma in Logistics and Transport Management, the BIP was an enriching experience. Having already participated in a BIP in Zaragoza, she saw this format as an opportunity to travel and meet students from across Europe. Sheila, a third-year law student at the University of Zaragoza, appreciated the theme and intensity of the program. Having previously participated in a BIP in Timișoara, she noted that the short format allows her to balance mobility with a busy schedule. This BIP once again demonstrates the impact of international collaborations and the role of the UNITA alliance in promoting the values of multilingualism and interculturality. By enabling students from various nationalities to work together and learn about each other, these programs foster personal enrichment for students and professional growth for the associated professors.