Intercultural Workshops #Interlab+ at the University of Applied Sciences in Nysa
On 5 and 6 May 2026, two editions of intercultural workshops #interlab+ were held at the University of Applied Sciences in Nysa. The workshops were delivered by the Foundation for the Development of the Education System, the institution responsible for implementing educational programmes funded by the European Union, including the Erasmus+ programme. Around 40 students of English Philology, as well as international students studying at the university under the Erasmus+ programme, took part in the event, creating a natural multicultural environment for learning and exchanging experiences.
The workshops took the form of intensive, one-day training sessions and were conducted as part of a non-formal education program. Participants worked through interactive approaches such as simulations, group exercises, discussions, and the analysis of real intercultural situations. The programme was adapted to the needs of the group and included topics such as cultural differences, intercultural communication, stereotypes, prejudices, and ways of dealing with conflict in an international environment. The sessions were led by experienced trainers, Katarzyna Szajda and Anna Huminiak, who have been involved in intercultural education and international cooperation for many years. Their extensive experience, including projects carried out in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, allowed participants to look at the topic of diversity from a broad, practical perspective.
As Katarzyna Szajda emphasized during the workshops - “intercultural competences are no longer an addition but an absolute foundation for functioning in the academic and professional world.” Anna Huminiak, on the other hand, pointed out that “we learn best through experience, which is why it is so important to create a safe space for conversation, making mistakes, and reflection.” Participants had the opportunity not only to gain new knowledge but above all to practise specific communication situations they may encounter during their studies, international mobility, or future professional careers. A particular value of the workshops was the presence of students from different countries, who contributed their own cultural perspectives and experiences.
As the students themselves emphasized, the workshops were “eye-opening” and helped them better understand the mechanisms behind everyday misunderstandings. One participant noted: “It was more than just training; it was a real confrontation with my own thinking patterns.” The event in Nysa was another edition of cyclical activities aimed at developing students’ intercultural competences. The University of Applied Sciences in Nysa has long focused on preparing young people to function in an international environment, and the #interlab+ workshops fit perfectly into this strategy. Participants received certificates confirming their attendance, and the skills they gained will certainly support them both in further education and on the labour market.
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