Collaborative spirit and Turkish hospitality

Reflections on our Erasmus meeting in Ankara

Erasmus+ projects are inherently collaborative and international by nature. These initiatives bring together partners from across Europe to co-create innovative practices in education. They require more than coordination—they thrive on shared vision, mutual respect, and moments of true connection. Our recent meeting in Ankara was a testament to exactly that.

Hosted by Aysel Sarıcaoğlu at ASBU (Social Sciences University of Ankara), the meeting brought together project partners – some in person, and some online – for two full days of reflection, planning, and dialogue. Few Erasmus meetings manage to strike such a smooth yet critical atmosphere. We were met with warm hospitality, intellectually stimulating discussions, and the delicious Turkish cuisine that accompanied us during and after our sessions.

An inspiring setting in the heart of Turkey

Set in Ulus, one of the oldest and most historic parts of Ankara, the ASBU campus was an inspiring place to meet. Each morning, we walked from our hotel to the campus, passing the first Turkish Parliament building and other architectural traces of the early republican era of country. Ankara, the capital of Türkiye, is home to approximately 5–6 million residents, many of whom work in state institutions. As such, it is a city where Turkish governance and public administration is settled. The political significance of the city added a unique dimension to our conversations.

Productive sessions and shared progress

The meeting opened with an inaugural talk by Carolyn Blume and Christina Ringel, who provided a great summary of our progress. Their message was clear and energizing: we are on track. Deliverables and work packages are being completed more or less on time, and our shared commitment to the goals of the project remains strong.

Following the introduction, we moved into a series of presentations by the work package leaders and others, including Achilleas Kostoulas, Eleni Motsiou, Raúl Enrique García López, Julia Huettner, Julia Karin Pittenauer, Yela Schauwecker, and Kenan Dikilitaş (in person), as well as Louise Caruso, Emma Marsden, Jana Schumacher, and Saskia Schabio (joining us online). Each team shared updates, raised important questions, and sparked meaningful dialogue around the challenges and insights emerging from their respective areas. The sessions were not only informative but also deeply productive.

Insightful conversations with the esteemed guests

During our meeting, we had the opportunity to present our project and listen to two special guests who shared their perspectives, particularly regarding potential collaboration and support. Our first guest, Ufuk Balaman from TED University, introduced us to his Erasmus+ projects on digital task implementation, most notably DigiLTE. We had a productive exchange, where we focused on possible collaboration opportunities in areas such as training and dissemination. This dialogue opened the door to future partnerships that could enhance both the academic and practical impact of our work.

Our second guest, Nazlınur Göktürk, a testing specialist from the Turkish Ministry of Education, provided her insight into how the ministry operates—specifically the processes involved in project implementation and the procedures for engaging with teachers in the country. These conversations offered valuable perspectives and helped us better understand the pathways for accessing institutional and peer support for our project.

Looking ahead

Our time in Ankara reminded us that Erasmus+ is not just about achieving outcomes—it is also about strengthening relationships and nurturing trust across borders. We left with refreshed motivation and a clear sense of what lies ahead, knowing that we are supported by a strong and engaged partnership.

To Aysel and the ASBU team: thank you for your generous hosting and for making our time in Ankara so memorable.