- What was the main idea of your project?
- Actually, the core idea came from the audience during our network presentation; we were asked how we plan to organize internships. Usually students have internships within their own country, and our thought was: let’s organize it in small enterprises in a neighboring country as a part on an international project. That’s how it started; the whole project consisted of three main components: 3 months students’ internships, international workshops held by Russian and Norwegian specialists, as well as a case book with descriptions of effective business models in the North. About 60% of internship time Russian students worked for the local companies in Norway and Norwegian – in Russian ones, for example, participating on tours as “mystery shopper”. The rest of the time they spent on completing their theses. The students exchange wasn’t very balanced. All but one of the interns were Russians doing their internship in Norway whereas the concluding seminar had three Norwegian participants. All exchange participants however were highly satisfied with their internships and saw it as a very valuable experience. Students participating in the final workshop held in St. Petersburg lived together, sharing rooms throughout the course, which contributed significantly to mutual understanding.
- In your opinion, what is important to consider by multilateral cooperation?
- Working internationally, you will be exposed to different styles of thinking and teaching. To avoid misunderstandings you need to adopt an open-minded and flexible approach to all project participants; as well as respect and take into account everyone’s position. Not only big institutions are valuable for the common success, small partners can be very committed and have a big input into the project activities. We had a very good experience of cooperating with small institutions like MIBO in Murmansk and State Polar Academy in Saint-Petersburg, where the final project seminar took place.
- Based on your experience, what would be your advice to other thematic networks’ participants who are planning and implementing international projects?
- First of all, such projects are very rewarding but you have to decide, if this project idea is something what you really want to do, if it goes in line with development strategy of your institution, because future project will cost you a lot of your time and efforts, so you have to be sure that this idea is worth it. A good project idea is an idea that adds value to your current or planned activities and makes them more efficient. Not less important is resources check: try to time your activities well, usually every step of project implementation takes more time than you expected. Involvement of all project partners at every project stage, starting from planning and application process is also one of the preconditions for the future success of your joint activities.