- Name
- Prof. Dr. Alexander Würfel
- Faculty/Department
- Health Management
- Purpose
- Erasmus+ Staff Mobility for Teaching
- Host Institution
- Kajaani UAS (KAMK)
- Location
- Kajaani, Finland
- Period
- several times since 2017
What was your main motivation to go abroad?
There were several motives for the application during the International Week in Kajaani 2017. Firstly, my colleague Walter Swoboda and I were looking for a partner for long-term international collaboration in the field of healthcare management. We had already been on an exchange programme with students at SUPSI in Ticino. In Finland, we only took part as "teachers" as part of the International Week. On the other hand, for me personally it was also the idea of being "forced" to give lectures in English in order to develop myself further and reduce my fear of contact.
Our Finnish colleagues gave us a fantastic welcome. Without them, the long-term cooperation I mentioned would not have been possible.
Did you have any concerns?
Our first stay in Kajaani was like jumping in at the deep end. A major challenge during our first stay was that we were able to determine the topics for our local lectures ourselves. As the healthcare system is organised in a very country-specific way, this was not easy, as the transfer of German problems is sometimes incomprehensible abroad. On the other hand, I was very apprehensive about giving a lecture in English. I had never done this before and had only published in English. It was certainly easier to go with a colleague during my first stay. I believe that a certain momentum of its own developed, which made a lot of things easier. Especially as I was able to work extremely well with my colleague Swoboda. The rest comes naturally when you're on site.
Would you recommend going abroad? Why?
I would always recommend a stay abroad. It takes you further - in almost all areas. In the specialist area, you must deal with transfer issues and other ways of thinking. This opens new perspectives and forces you to abandon familiar thought patterns. Of course, language also plays a major role here. Our stay in Kajaani as part of the International Week was also very helpful, as we got to know many colleagues from Finland and other countries. The lectures were also attended not only by Finnish students, but also by colleagues from Finland and other countries. The exchange is incredibly exciting and inspiring. And others also struggle with language challenges, which helps you to face these challenges yourself. And after a stay in Finland, you get an idea of why Finland has been the happiest nation in Europe for years - and the one with the highest coffee consumption per capita.
What did you learn from your stay abroad?
The exchange with colleagues from Finland and other countries was incredibly motivating. The insight into Finnish culture was particularly exciting. You learn an incredible amount from the collaboration, which is both interdisciplinary and intercultural. At a professional level, we have set up a cooperative event with a project character, which has taken place every year since 2018 - except for 2020 (due to covid 19). We have now been to Kajaani three times with students. In two projects, coronavirus made a visit impossible. Our Finnish colleagues have also been to the HNU three times. Many students have now been able to gain experience in Finland and in interdisciplinary and intercultural cooperation. In addition, the stay abroad also gave me the idea of organising one of my courses at the HNU in English, firstly to offer international students in the Faculty of Health Management a course and secondly to integrate English into our students' studies at the HNU.
Were your expectations met?
Our expectations were absolutely fulfilled. In KAMK (Kajaani University of Applied Sciences) we have found a permanent partner for our faculty in Kajaani. Personally, the exchanges helped me incredibly to overcome my fears about the language. Our Finnish colleagues gave us a fantastic welcome. Without them, the long-term cooperation I mentioned would not have been possible.
Is there anything you would like to highlight about your experience abroad?
For anyone who gets involved, Finnish culture is fascinating and endearing. The hospitality and helpfulness are incredible. We consumed about 2.5 litres of coffee a day during each stay. Experiences such as dog sledding and ice swimming at -26°C are lasting memories. The same can be said for Finnish liquorice, liquorice chocolate, Salmiakki and especially Terva schnapps.
Impressions of Finland
