A Week of Learning and Sharing at PH Salzburg Stefan Zweig University, Salzburg
By Meltem Aygüneş
Between the 2nd and 6th of June 2025, I had the opportunity to take part in the Erasmus Teaching Staff Exchange Program at PH Salzburg Stefan Zweig University in Salzburg, Austria. Nestled in a scenic city rich in culture and history, the university provided a warm and professional environment for academic exchange. The experience allowed me to immerse myself in a vibrant educational setting, meet passionate educators and students, and contribute to an inspiring international dialogue on teaching practices.
During my stay, I delivered several sessions focusing on topics relevant to both current and future educators. My lessons covered three main areas: effective communication techniques in educational settings, the integration of ChatGPT and other generative AI tools into teaching and learning environments, and the crucial link between democracy and sustainability in education. These sessions were designed for students training to become primary and secondary school teachers, as well as their instructors. The discussions were highly interactive and well-received, with participants showing great interest in how AI and democratic thinking can shape inclusive, forward-looking classrooms. The enthusiasm and engagement from both students and staff made the teaching experience especially rewarding.
The exchange offered mutual benefits to both PH Salzburg and Sabancı University. For the host institution, it brought in fresh perspectives on digital pedagogy and interdisciplinary teaching, while giving students exposure to international academic practices. For Sabancı University, this visit strengthened our ties with a key European partner and showcased our commitment to global collaboration in teacher education. Personally, the week in Salzburg reaffirmed the value of intercultural academic exchanges—not only in terms of knowledge sharing, but also in building lasting professional relationships. I wholeheartedly encourage colleagues at Sabancı to take part in similar programs and contribute to the growing spirit of cooperation in European higher education.
