Erasmus and a Trip to Portugal
26. September 2024Participation of Our Students in Stigma and Discrimination in Health Care: Approaches to Improve Awareness, held at the Polytechnic of Leiria, Portugal.
From 17 to 21 June 2024, full-time students from the General Nursing programme at the Institute of Health Sciences, Faculty of Humanities, Tomas Bata University in Zlín, took part in a segment of the Blended Intensive Program (BIP) under ERASMUS+, titled Stigma and Discrimination in Health Care: Approaches to Improve Awareness, held at the Polytechnic of Leiria, Portugal. The expert meeting was preceded by a preparatory online phase. The in-person event brought together students Simona Mojžíšková, Andrea Mrtvá, Kristýna Různarová, Alexandra Sarminová, and Daniel Vejražka, along with their lecturers Mgr. Eva Šalenová and Mgr. Petr Zemánek, PhD.
This international programme enabled students and teachers to delve deeper into issues related to stigma and discrimination in healthcare, including the development of their professional language competences. The Stigma and Discrimination in Health Care part of the ERASMUS+ project: Approaches to Improve Awareness, was developed and funded by the European Union, combining online learning with face-to-face sessions with targeted motivation to acquire and share professional knowledge. During the week of in-person activities, participants engaged in a series of workshops, lectures, and practical exercises designed to foster a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by professionals in helping professions. The collaboration between students and educators significantly enriched the academic and personal experiences of all involved. In addition to representatives from the Polytechnic Institute of Leiria and UTB, the project also included participants from NHL Stenden Hogeschool (Netherlands), Universidad Pontificia de Salamanca (Spain), and Universidad de Burgos (Spain).
Special thanks go to the organisers from Escola Superior de Saúde at the Polytechnic Institute of Leiria, including Dr Catarina Tomás, Dr Ana Querido, Dr Tiago Nascimento, Dr Joana Sousa, Dean Dr Rui Manuel Pinto, and Tânia da Mota, for their exceptional programme preparation, personal commitment, and support for students and colleagues from all participating universities. The opportunity to engage in professional activities representing a total workload of 81 hours proved to be a highly enriching experience, beneficial not only for professional development but also for establishing connections with leading experts within the European Union.