Entrevistas Erasmus – Ana Maksimovic

Another visitor from abroad! This time we are visited by our colleague Ana Maksimovic from University Donja Gorica in Montenegro. She has been already with us for four days, so today is her last day… so let’s see how she is doing!

So Ana, welcome to CPIFP Los Enlaces and thank you for letting us interview you! Can you tell us your name and position at your university?

My name is Ana Maksimovic. I come from small country called Montenegro. I’m a psychologist by profession, and I also have a master’s degree in the field of economic sciences, more precisely Business psychology and management. Employed at the University of Donja Gorica I’m employed at the University of Donja Gorica (UDG) in capital city – Podgorica as an associate in teaching and administrative work on the Applied psychology study program.

Why did you decide to participate in this job-shadowing opportunity at CPIFP Los
Enlaces?

There are several reasons:
The first is of a technical nature, because the home university announced options for the exchange of academic staff. One of the them was CPIFP Los Enlaces.
The second is cultural, because this type of exchange allows a person to get to know the system, heritage and life in general in a place other than the home country, and to me Spain
has always ‘radiated’ with its cultural diversity as well as the melodiousness of the Spanish language (which I didn’t learn, but I understand a bit because of the influence of the telenovels that were shown regularly on television :)) and, I believe, a common trait that we
share as a people, which is hospitality.
The third is professional because I was interested in how Spanish education is treated in terms of what the system is like, its advantages and disadvantages, positive examples from
practice, etc.
The last and most important is essential – the achievement, but also the maintenance of contact with colleagues, which I consider to be quite successful on the example of my
colleagues from CPIFP Los Enlaces.

Have you seen any best practices here that you would like to incorporate into your
own institution?

The experience at CPIFP Los Enlaces confirmed to me that in my home institution it is necessary to further strengthen practice so that it is part of the teaching, which further implies the establishment of cooperation with a larger number of other employers in order to ensure opportunities for all. Given that my home institution is also an innovation university, it would be good to exchange experience in that regard as well.

What did you enjoy most about the job-shadowing experience here?

I liked attending the classes and being able to ask the teachers about the way they work, as well as having an insight into the materials and equipment they use in working with students. In one class, group work was performed as an activity, so I was also in a group with my colleagues and had the opportunity to find myself in the role of a student and to
perform the given task with others.

What similarities and differences have you noticed between university education in
your country and vocational training here?

The main difference is in the system. At the university, all three years are different, while in vocational training, the first year is common for all students. CPIFP Los Enlaces practices
more narrow specialization, while at our university more attention is paid to interdisciplinarity – the studies are interwoven with several different but interconnected disciplines, which
enables the synthesis of broad knowledge necessary for every student.
The main similarities are orientation towards innovation and the way students learn. The teachers are dedicated and encourage students to ask questions through which they learn.
Other similarities are of a technical nature: both types of institutions use IT tools for learning and have platforms through which they communicate with students.

What recommendations or suggestions do you have to improve the job-
shadowing program for future visiting professors?

I recommend continuation of contact offering opportunities for collaboration and joint research and strengthening cultural integration offering cultural orientation sessions in order to understand the host institution’s environment.

How do you perceive the role of international programs like Erasmus+ in shaping
the future of education?

Erasmus + is an excellent opportunity for exchange of experience among institutions, collaboration between students and educators and raising cultural awareness.
In this way, professor’s and students’ adaptability, critical thinking, and intercultural
competence are increased.

18) What advice would you give to other educators considering participating in a job-shadowing or Erasmus+ program with CPIFP Los Enlaces?

I would advise them not to miss the opportunity for gathering fresh perspectives and
establishing valuable connections with colleagues. CPIFP Los Enlaces is a great example of an institution that creates and implements innovations and prepares students for future professions.

Please summarize your experience with a few words

Educational, instructive, interesting experience that enriches a person’s personality and professional competences.

Thank you Ana! It’s been great to have you here, and we are looking forward to future cooperation with UDG!

Los proyectos Erasmus+ KA102, KA121, KA103, KA131 y KA107 están cofinanciados por el programa Erasmus+ de la Unión Europea. El contenido de este sitio web es responsabilidad exclusiva del CPIFP Los Enlaces y ni la Comisión Europea, ni el Servicio Español para la Internacionalización de la Educación (SEPIE) son responsables del uso que pueda hacerse de la información aquí difundida.