As part of the global #ErasmusDays celebration, held annually in October across the world, the University of Belgrade – Faculty of Organizational Sciences organized an event titled #ErasmusDays: My Erasmus+ Experience on 17th October 2025. This year’s Erasmus Day was dedicated to presenting students’ experiences from academic and traineeship mobilities within the Erasmus+ and CEEPUS programs, as well as short-term Blended Intensive Programmes (BIPs).
The event opened with a welcome speech by Prof. Dr. Sandra Jednak, Vice-Dean for International Cooperation and Finance, who emphasized the importance of the Erasmus+ program for the personal and professional development of students, as well as for strengthening the Faculty’s cooperation with partner institutions across Europe.
Within the program, Bojana Ivanović Bovan, International Relations Officer, presented the results of the Erasmus+ project SuMoS – “Strengthening the ecosystem for sustainable student mobility”, which FON is implementing together with European partners with the goal of improving sustainable and digital mobility. The presentation also included findings from a survey conducted among five partner universities — the University of Zagreb, Faculty of Organization and Informatics (Croatia, coordinator); Groupe ESIEA (France); University of Žilina, Faculty of Management Science and Informatics (Slovakia); University of Maribor, Faculty of Organizational Sciences (Slovenia); and University of Belgrade, Faculty of Organizational Sciences (Serbia). The research analysed motivational factors and barriers to student participation in mobility programs. It showed that the most common motivators are the desire to experience something new, personal growth, gaining skills for living and working abroad, improving language and communication skills, and learning about different educational systems. The main obstacles identified were incompatibility of study programs (48%), lack of financial resources (37%), and fear that participation might prolong studies (31%).
The central part of the program featured presentations by students sharing their mobility experiences at numerous partner universities. Bojana Bulatović spoke about her study experience at the University of Stockholm, where she gained many wonderful memories.
Milena Đuknić spent one semester at the University of Paris-Est Créteil (UPEC) in France, describing it as “a semester in which I met friends for life, discovered myself in a new way, and developed a completely new kind of confidence.”
Jana Stevanović and Veljko Panić carried out their mobility at the University of Pisa, Italy. For Veljko, it was an opportunity to truly feel what it means to be a citizen of the world.
Filip Ubović shared his experience from the University of Helsinki, Finland.
Given the great interest of students in participating in mobility not only through Erasmus but also through CEEPUS, two such mobilities were presented. Petar Trumpić spent a semester at Mendel University in the Czech Republic, and Miro Rakočević at the University of Vienna.
Miro said, “Exchange is an opportunity that opens many doors and shows how much life has to offer — if only you dare to take a step into the unknown.”
The Erasmus+ program also increasingly offers opportunities for short-term exchanges and participation in summer schools organized by partner universities. During the 2024/25 academic year, FON students participated in two BIP summer schools: the 5th BIP International Summer School “Organization, Management and Society” FOV 2025 at the University of Maribor – Faculty of Organizational Sciences (Kranj, Slovenia) from September 1–6, 2025. Students Danica Podovac and Andrijana Opačić presented their experiences from this summer school. For Danica, it was an unforgettable experience where she met wonderful people and created lasting memories. The second BIP summer school attended by FOS students was the 1st BIP International Summer School “AI in Action – Students and Companies Co-Creating the Future” at the University of St. Cyril and Methodius – Faculty of Economics (Skopje, North Macedonia) from September 15–19, 2025.
Since the 2021/22 academic year, FON students have also been using the Erasmus+ program for traineeships abroad — an opportunity already taken by more than 30 students. During Erasmus Day, students Sofija Damnjanović and Biljana Petković presented their internship experiences at Taronja Spanish School in Valencia, Spain, where they worked in digital marketing and event organization. Biljana shared: “Erasmus is an adventure where you learn a lot, grow, fall in love with the world, and never stay the same — in the best possible way.”
The event was attended by distinguished guests who actively contribute to the development of international cooperation and mobility: Ms. Ljiljana Krstić from the Higher Education Unit of the Tempus Foundation, which serves as the National Erasmus+ Agency in Serbia, as well as colleagues from international offices — Ljubica Dimitrijević from the University of Belgrade, Ivana Ilić Šunderić from the Faculty of Political Sciences, and Prof. Dr. Mladen Krstić from the Faculty of Transport and Traffic Engineering.
All participants highlighted that mobility represents an invaluable experience that contributes to academic growth, foreign language improvement, the development of intercultural competences, a deeper understanding of European values, and the creation of lifelong friendships.
The Faculty of Organizational Sciences has been actively participating in the global Erasmus+ and #ErasmusDays initiative since 2019. This year, a total of 10,324 events were organized worldwide in celebration of Erasmus, including 73 in Serbia.
