Members of the OCEANS Network share how their Erasmus+ mobility experiences and network involvement have influenced their personal growth, broadened their cultural perspectives and helped them build lasting connections.
Delvick – Peru
Network: OCEANS
Mobility programme: Exchange to Vienna, Austria
Delvick is a Risk Analyst from Peru who joined OCEANS after his exchange semester in Vienna in 2022.
Dimas – Indonesia
Network: OCEANS
Dimas is from Indonesia and serves as the International Coordinator for Erasmus+ at the University of Muhammadiyah Malang. He joined OCEANS in 2017.
Donaldson – Nigeria
Network: OCEANS
Mobility programme: Exchange to the University of Valladolid, Spain
Donaldson is a lecturer from Nigeria, who joined OCEANS Network after his mobility programme at the University of Valladolid, Spain in 2019. He is also a former board member.
Evelina – Lithuania
Network: OCEANS
Mobility programme: University exchange to South Korea, 2013
Evelina is a former OCEANS Network Board member from Lithuania. Evelina joined the Network after her mobility programme in South Korea in 2013.
Lineekela – Namibia
Network: OCEANS
Mobility programme: Erasmus exchange to Czech Republic
Lineekela is a teacher from Namibia who joined the OCEANS Network in 2022. She has a degree in political science from the University of Namibia and is an Erasmus alumnus.
Tatiana – Russia
Network: OCEANS
Mobility programme: Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters in Bulgaria
Tatiana is a cartographer from Moscow, who completed an Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters programme in Austria. She joined OCEANS Network in 2020 after an exchange semester in Bulgaria.
Vitória – Brazil
Network: OCEANS
Mobility programme: Exchange to the University of Salamanca, Spain
Vitória is a student from Brazil who is finishing her degree in International Relations at the Paulista University, São Paulo. Her mobility programme took place at the University of Salamanca, Spain.
Gabriele – Italy
Network: OCEANS
Mobility programme: Mobility in the United States 2008/09
“Joining OCEANS Network is the best way to keep exchanging your ideas and experiences after your exchange has come to an end. Oceans Network initiatives allowed me to get in touch with like-minded people, expanding my personal network and, of course, also my friendship circle.”
Uswa – Indonesia
Network: OCEANS
Mobility programme: Erasmus exchange to Czech Republic
“Making big life changes can be pretty scary. But you know what’s even scarier? Staying in your comfort zone. It's a beautiful place but nothing will ever grow there. So, I made the best choice to step forward and here I am: part of OCEANS Network.”
Julia – Germany
Network: OCEANS
Mobility programme: Exchange to Canada 2009
“Going abroad on exchange forces you to leave your comfort zone and broaden your horizons. Being part of OCEANS is a continuation of this. With all its like-minded members, it feels like having family all over the globe. Even today, years after my exchange and building a career, every interaction inspires me – personally and professionally.”
Scott – United Kingdom
Network: OCEANS
Mobility programme: Mobility in the US, 2013
“I joined OCEANS to connect with others studying abroad. At OCEANS I found like-minded people who have supported me in my travels and studies, and helped me grow as a person. Studying abroad can be hard, but OCEANS helps make it easier and I'm keen to support other exchange students in the same way I was supported.”
Jessica – United States
Network: OCEANS
Mobility programme: Exchange to Estonia/Poland, 2010/12
“I strongly believe in the transformative power of immersive international experiences and global dialogue on a human level. When lives are transformed through international experiences, these transformed lives can change the world.”
Alfredo – Italy
Network: OCEANS
Mobility programme: Exchange to the US 2008/09
“Every time I take part in an OCEANS event, every time I meet people from OCEANS, every time I talk to my OCEANS friends... I feel like an energetic, stimulating and positive wave has caught me.
Hans - Philippines
Network: OCEANS
Mobility programme: Mobility in France, 2011/12
“It is essential to have a welcoming and safe space of reintegration right after a mobility abroad in order to resettle and get back in our home community with a positive attitude and healthy mindset. And that's what OCEANS gave me."
