Social Work study programme’s (Faculty of Arts and Education, Kauno kolegija Higher Education Institution) students Miglė Klimonytė, Deimantė Simanavičiūtė, Lilijana Merkšaitytė and Kamilė Žukauskaitė began the academic year by participating in the Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) ‘Common Research – Common Progress: Scientific Networking in Europe’ organised by RTU Liepaja Academy.

In the international programme, together with students from Germany, Turkey, Croatia, Romania and Latvia, representatives of faculty had the opportunity to participate in various lectures, seminars and practical sessions dedicated to scientific research planning, data analysis and application of modern technologies. The students tried out the ‘NVivo’ software, learned the intricacies of research methodology, delved into the application of artificial intelligence in academic activities, the topic of sustainable development, the development of social skills and the importance of information networks.

In addition to the academic programme, the students participated in cultural activities: they got to know the city of Liepāja, visited the War Harbor Prison, participated in an international cultural evening at Liepāja Dzintara Secondary School, visited educational spaces and had the opportunity to present the culture of their countries. At the end of the programme, the students, together with other participants, presented the results of their research and were awarded certificates.

According to the participants, this experience was not only valuable from an academic point of view, but also enriched them with intercultural experience, helped to establish new friendships and strengthened their motivation to continue their scientific research in the international space.