On 8 th May, the Faculty of Human Kinetics at the University of Lisbon hosted a blended information seminar for the Erasmus Mundus joint master’s program ‘Resilience in Educational Contexts’; under Project Flourish, including in-person and online participants.
The seminar started with the coordinators from each EMJM full partner program presenting and the program-specific features in each of the semesters: Prof. Carmel Cefai from the University of Malta, Prof. Anastassios Matsopoulos from the University of Crete, Prof. Adina Colomeischi from the University Stefan cel Mare Suceava, and Prof. Celeste Simões from the University of Lisbon. This year, the seminar had the presence of three Resilience in Educational Contexts master ambassadors, Joti Ghani, Avalon Langdon, and Farhana Yesmin, students from the program’s inaugural edition, who shared their valuable experiences along the two- year course. Each presentation provided real insights regarding the academic experience within the four semesters in different countries, emphasizing their contribution to their knowledge and skills in resilience in educational contexts.
In particular, the students placed high value on the observation and practice placement experiences, which allowed them to engage directly with diverse educational settings and learner populations. The placements, conducted across various institutional contexts, provided meaningful opportunities for professional growth, cross-cultural learning, and applying theory to practice. The students also highlighted the importance of the supervision they received throughout these experiences, noting its role in deepening their critical reflection and professional development. Additionally, they presented their dissertation projects, which explore various themes— from bullying, integration of migrant children in educational systems, to resilience and gender dynamics during adolescence. Beyond the academic dimension, the students also highlighted the rich personal experience and rich cultural exchange that emerged from living and studying in diverse European countries. They spoke of the personal growth that came with adapting to new environments, engaging with multiple languages and cultural practices, and forming strong international friendships. These experiences not only enhanced their intercultural competence but also deepened their understanding of resilience through a broader, more inclusive European perspective.
